[NSRCA-discussion] MA Pattern column....(re: moving on...)

Mon Jun 25 05:42:42 AKDT 2007

I miss Eric's MA column.... Where's our pattern exposure in the AMA mag?
We have many good people involved who have helped a lot of us learn and
enjoy our hobby.  We can't afford to build walls between each other. I'm
not a current NSRCA member, but only because my life has limited my
involvement at the present.  I will participate all I can because I
enjoy few things more than flying with other competitors, and admiring
their skills whether it be writing, R&D, flying, building, coaching, or
just hangar flying. (Pattern flyers are a most helpful group of
competitors!)

I hope (sooner than later) that feelings will heal, procedures will be
corrected if needed, and people will learn from any mistakes they or
others may have made. 

In the meantime, I would like to thank all the guys who have helped so
many of us in columns they write in magazines or this discussion.
(risking criticism etc)  I admire all these guys for something they've
done. Danny Landis, Dave Lockhart, Eric Henderson.  You guys have all
made contributions....please continue.  

Sincerely, 

Chris White

________________________________

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Lisa &
Larry
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:53 PM
To: 'NSRCA Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Going forward.

Few things come to mind on this...

For Eric...Although I understand what you are stating and realize I
don't have all the facts, I must wonder how this thread has helped grow
pattern. Eric, I'm not talking about you even though this is your ID.
How many potential pattern guys have now turned away because of this
thread? It's an ugly black eye and I don't appreciate this forum being
used for this purpose. But now the cats out of the bag, let's deal with
it fairly.

For the NSRCA Board....I would like to see where this was addressed in
the past board meeting minutes. I would like to know where this can be
reviewed. If not, I request a copy of the minutes to be mailed to me at
my present address. I would like to know what authority a SIG has to
sanction a paying AMA member from participating in an AMA national event
even as a judge. At what point did the NSRCA Board discuss this with the
AMA Competition Board? If not at all it's nothing less than a lynching
and the board members responsible for this should resign immediately.
Eric is an AMA member first. The NATS is an AMA event First. I would
agree that the CD, with input from the NSRCA Board, could recommend
sanctions to the AMA on behalf of a written protest.

I would be interested in what Dave Brown and the AMA Competition Board
has to say...

With this being said, if in fact there is rules clearly stated and the
NSRCA had the authority and acted in those rules let me know and I will
apologize. I would like to know where it is written.

Rules that actually state in the AMA rules book. The pilot or anyone on
his behalf can't confront the judge. This violation is sufficient to
result in disqualification of the pilot from this event. See General
Competition Rules page 12 of 12 under General, Section 8.

In the General Competition Rules it also outlines the rules for Protest,
See General Competition Rules page 9 of 12 under Sanctioned Events,
Section 18. I will assume that at a Nationals event, the CD followed
these rules. They should have been followed to the letter regardless of
the NSRCA's position. The CD is an AMA representative and acts on the
AMA's behalf. No influence by the NSRCA should have impaired the
protester's right or the rights of the person being protested.

I would like the NSRCA Board President to respond regarding the AMA
Protest Rules and how they were followed to the letter in this case as
well as any sanction for an individual confronting a judge regarding a
pilots scores.

Larry Diamond

AMA 5024

NSRCA 3083

________________________________

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Grow
Pattern
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:41 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Going forward.

Please understand that I wrote about what had happened to me for a
reason greater than personal vindication. There is a fundamental problem
with sponsorship, contestant judging, and the management/development of
judges.

(I can't address the information given to the Don Lowe Masters or the
attempt to remove me from Model Aviation reporting unless I do something
and subpoena the records of the NSRCA board, their e-mail their
appointee's mail. To go "legal" on the NSRCA would just be ugly,
damaging to all and exhaust what little NSRCA money there is in the
bank. That is not my agenda).

I can address how I was processed by the NSRCA as regards allegations of
biased judging. I can't do much about what happened to me, but I can do
something about the next guy. So can you. (After all, it could be you.)

First of all, the NSRCA needs to amend its charter to state that it is a
ruling body on judging resources. Then update the bylaws to cover the
related process. There is an NSRCA bylaw on how to do this and it
involves all of you, the NSRCA membership, voting on a proposed change.

Secondly, the AMA has a pretty good disciplinary process that the NSRCA
could incorporate to deal with judging infractions. It tells the accused
what they have been charged with and allows the accused to present their
case. There is even an appeal process if the member does not agree with
the decision or the punishment.

We all deserve a fair trial and the right to face our accuser(s) or the
accusation(s).

With the bylaws as they are, I consider the NSRCA board to have acted
illegally and to not have given me a chance to challenge their evidence
BEFORE they met and passed their sentence. 

Most importantly, the NSRCA needs to revamp its judging training. They
now need to add performance evaluation to allow us to know how well we
are performing as a judge. Maybe we need to be rated as to what we can
judge. e.g. which class we can cover etc. We should be tested
before--not just accused after!

------------------------------------------------------------------------
------

By NSRCA board voting, I will be eligible to judge pattern in 2009. 

Please consider this for a moment.

I am sitting in the judge's chair and I see a zero spin entry, no stall
etc. I think for a moment as the rest of the spin is being executed.
Hmmm?

-What if the other judges all saw that as a valid spin entry? 

-What should I do? If I am out of the norm, I will be in trouble again, 

-They will be watching. 

-It would take only one pilot to complain and I would be toast....

-A small trickle of sweat runs down my back. 

-The clock is ticking.

-Oh no! My confidence as a judge is shot. 

-I freeze.

-I chicken out and give a 6.

Well, I need not worry because they will never pick me to judge again.
But they will pick YOU!

-----------------------------------

My thanks for the off-list encouragement. I will keep your identity
confidential. I understand that you cannot post on the discussion-list.
I know that it is intimidating when this could affect your results down
the line. It is supposed to be a discussion-list about everything that
affects pattern. That is, unless your president tell you to not do so!

I really thank the two NSRCA board members who had the courage to let me
know that the NSRCA board was trying to have me removed from writing the
column and that they are currently planning to take me off the list. 

I am sorry I blitzed the discussion-list with long notes but, you guys
know me--I write and this is what happens when I do :-)

Got to get back to the real world again.

Good luck everybody and best regards,

Eric--Exiting the box!

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