[NSRCA-discussion] ...Snips....RE: SmallModels...goodforthefutureofthePatternEvent?

[Dave Lockhart]

...long....

Just my opinions on a variety of ideas in this string -

It is an aerobatic event....a vertical upline that does not have a 1,2,3,4
second or 100, 200, 300' vertical requirement is no more demanding than 2
loops, an Immelman, or a 1/2 Reverse Cuban has plenty of power to do a brief
vertical line.

Fewer rules for Sportsmen and Intermediate means more options.  Plenty of
existing planes suitable for flying pattern glow or electric are available
from .25 sized to 2M - and there are expensive and "cheap" options at both
ends of the size range.  For many of the existing sport airplanes, power
upgrades are relatively simple and cheap - many 40s can be replaced with
bolt in 46s, many 60s can be replaced with bolt in 90s.

I don't think anyone with a shred of sanity could question the commitment of
a guy like Mike Hester to growing the sport of pattern.  Absolutely the
Black Magic is competitive at any level, but to be competitive at all levels
it requires the high end powerplants and radio gear.  Cost of the airframe
is only part of the expense - "cheap" competitive powerplants don't exist
per se - the most competitive powerplant will always be the one with the
best power to weight ratio (and that always cost money).

Do you want a used "Ferrari" or a new "Ford"?  Ie, for the same $$$, a
Sportsman or Intermediate pilot might be able to buy last years Masters/FAI
full blown 2M ship, or a brandy new 110 sized bird.  The bigger ship, if
well maintained, will fly better.

It is a competitive event which means competitors will seek a competitive
advantage.  On the average the latest and greatest will be pioneered by
those at the top of the heap, and the latest and greatest stuff will command
a premium price, and it will be emulated by the masses.  Supply and demand
will always make the latest and greatest the most expensive.  No one is
unaware of the expense of the "best" stuff and everyone knows how the event
could be cheaper - but - we all buy the best we can afford to gain
competitive advantage and "we" have repeatedly voted to allow 2M in all
classes. 

Restricting airframes or engines in the lower classes to reduce cost is a
plausible idea.  However, you now placing a pilot in a position where they
need to upgrade planes/engines each time they move up in class, if they want
to fly the most competitive airframes.  You have further reduced the resale
audience for used Masters/FAI planes.

No doubt some of the historical rule changes have been impetus in part for
some leaving the event - partly because any change would have done so, and
partly because the changes resulted in increased cost.  Nonetheless, I think
it is incredibly naïve to think a "new" set of rules would result in a
return in numbers that pattern once had.  Rules are only part of it -
renewal rates in any event/hobby are never 100% (change in interests) and
participation for many is cyclic (time off during college, time off to start
a career, time off for family, etc).  Growth of the event was from those
newly enticed, and those that returned.  Today, more competing hobbies are
out there which gobbles up some number of potential new guys and some number
of former guys that now pursue something different.  It is what it is, and
no number of rules changes will make "the difference".

What I've seen of late on this list is a very diverse and wide range of
opinions on what ought to be done.  When 10 guys list 10 different reasons
why they no longer compete, it is beyond me what single rule is going to fix
that.  Any one change we make to appease 10% of those in or close to our
midst is going to do little to grow the event in numbers (beyond 10%, for
arguments sake) and any change you make is likely to be viewed unfavorably
by some (probably a different 10%).

In the meantime, the constant negative banter (much of it supposition only
with no demographics to support it) amidst ourselves certainly can't be
enticing to any new guys taking a peek.

Hey, can you believe the weather?  January and my home field saw 3-4 pattern
pilots out both Sat and Sunday, and I "burned" 15 lipos worth of
electrons!!!  Woohoo!!!!

Dave