[NSRCA-discussion] Mandatory Advancement

[J N Hiller]

Jim,
Sounds like my wife and I back in the 80's. We enjoyed many weekends out of
town with friends, especially Saturday night dinners.

The jump to intermediate is probably the most demanding of them all due to
the need to master the airspace. The 07+ schedule may be excessively
difficult increasing the K-factor from sportsman 26 to intermediate 41 is
significant, picking up 6 K-3 maneuvers and flown entirely in the box.
Modern pattern (turnaround style) is as much about fixing the flight as
flying the maneuvers and the experience needed to stay in the box when
recovering from blown maneuvers is an accomplishment in itself.

A few days ago I posted (S&L Flight (Flying The Box)) as a reminder to
occasionally return to the basics when we get sloppy. I am attaching a
document I put in a local IMAC newsletter back in 1996 to help beginning
turnaround competitors. Ignore references to rules which are outdated but
the flying exercise is well worth a few passes. It also helps to fly
individual maneuvers alone until they can be flown without much thought. The
processor under our hat can become overloaded quite rapidly and being able
to stay reasonably close to the 'on-line' between maneuvers is key.

Mastering the challenge in itself can be rewarding.
Jim Hiller


-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Jim
Gruntkowski
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:20 PM
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Mandatory Advancement

Hello everyone. My name is Jim Gruntkowski and I'm relatively new to
pattern. I flew my first contest in May of 2007 in sportsman and met a great
bunch of people that gave me more help than I can actually take in at one
time. I flew 4 contest that year and was told to move up to intermediate
which was okay because there is more competition in intermediate. 2008 was a
very busy year at work which didn't leave much time for practice but we went
to contest anyhow so I can show my wife whata fool I can make out of myself.
Mostly the reason we went to contest the 2008 was to get away for a long
weekend and spend time with new friends. I can honestly say that I didn't
enjoy myself as much as I should have due to the fact that I just wasn't
ready to compete in intermediate. It was a little depressing before the last
contest I told my wife maybe we should just skip the last contest because it
wouldn't be worth the money for the travel and hotel and not be competitive.
We did go and we had a great time. Did I mention my wife is my caller. But
if someone told me I had to move up to advance this coming season I would
probably take a year off. This is a hobby and I love it but I also want to
be competitive. I have other hobbies that are competitive and have seen all
types of sand baggers but that's just a part of life. I honestly believe
that people know they're flying abilities and what class they should be
flying in and if they stay in the class just because they know they can win
contests then so be it. I will still go to contest and have fun. If someone
told me I had to move to advanceIwould probably take a year off to practice
but that wouldn't help attendance at local contest would it so it doesn't
make sense to me why you would force someone to move up that doesn't have
the ability to fly in the next class.

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