[NSRCA-discussion] stirring the pot..;)

Tue May 19 08:57:48 AKDT 2009

Jim:
I thoroughly agree with you.  The only area I might find issue with is the division of social/competition as 50-50.  As one ages out, (hopefully we are given the privilege of aging out; the alternative isn't too pleasant) the percentages will inevitably change downward to lesser numbers for competition, and upward numbers in social and other enjoyment.  And, in regard to the social aspect, there are other factors mixed in there, also.  Example:  I love the smell of Nitro in the morning; it smells like........... it smells like................. pattern engines.  (Forgetting, for a moment, electric.)  Kidding aside, I agree with what you say; bottom line, if you leave feeling "Gee, I sure had a good time" then you got what you came for,  whether or not there's a trophy on the back seat of the car.  And, this goes for a local contest, or the Nats.
Again, stating my opinion on this particular facet.  As is said:'YMMV."

Bill Glaze
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Woodward, Jim (US SSA) 
  To: General pattern discussion 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:11 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] stirring the pot..;)

  Hi Bill,

  I think flying pattern is 50% competition and 50% social, IMHO. There are many reasons for this.  The podium is small and the pool of competitors is large.  The flying skill and dispersion of coaching is varied across the nation.  Some areas are rich in this, where as other guys must fly by themselves and try to get club guys to spot them.  Contest availabiltiy varies greatly from distirct to disctirct.  Our system of judging can consistently separate the top 1,2,3 positions over 6 rounds, but is not really capable of dicerning the difference between two perfect flights that only on differ by a small percentatge (. we are all humans).

  If you miss the social aspect of it, you miss a lot.  If you are looking for a competitive enviornment that tries to get it right, this is it.  If you are looking for truth and justice - get a stop watch and race something.  I am as competitive as the next person and looked at this from all angles - joy to dissapointment.  Having come full circle, we cannot expect more from our system than it is logically capable of producing, and need to come to grips with what the realm of possible outcomes are at a contest.   Once you put your name on the line and sign up to compete you are subject to the full ream of the good and bad of our system. On the drive home, I mostly want to feel like I had a good time and it was money well spent.  By focusing less on the opininon of this being purley a "competitive" sport, a little more on the enjoyment part, I find myself enjoying the event more overall.  

  Thanks,

  Jim

  From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Bill Glaze
  Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:00 AM
  To: General pattern discussion
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] stirring the pot..;)

  Bob:

  Your statement about most of the flyers compete just to have fun, resonates.  Taking Masters as an example, I remember well when there were over 50 Masters in the Nats.  I'm sure that the majority knew they weren't going to be on the podium when trophies were handed out.  Most of them probably knew it when they left their driveways at home.  Still they went.  Seeing friends, getting in some flying, seeing how they stack up with/against the best we have to offer, the color, excitement, being able to help out--no use going on and on.  Many, many different motivations for the trouble and expense of attending.  And, that probably goes for any contest; just the motives may change a little.  And, I feel the above statement applies to all classes.  As always, just my privately held opinion.

  Bill Glaze

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Bob Richards 

    To: General pattern discussion 

    Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 9:07 AM

    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] stirring the pot..;)

          Kris,

          I agree. 

          Now, I am speaking from someone who has not been in the game for a few years. The last time I went to the NATS was in '95, flying in FAI after having just moved up from Masters. I thought seriously about whether I should practice the F sequence or not, and decided that my goal for the NATS was to make it into the finals. (This was before the semi-finals format). Four rounds P for the prelims, 2 rounds F for the finals. I spent all my time practicing the P sequence as a result. Alas, they only took 10 people into the finals, I think I was 15th. At least I was happy I had not wasted time flying the F schedule. :-)

          Yes, competition should be fun. Yes, part of the game is to separate the "best from the best". But, it should be fun, too. I think that is why the majority of the fliers participate. Make it too challenging, then only the best will be left and the rank-and-file fliers at the local contests may drop out.

          JMHO.

          Bob R.

          --- On Mon, 5/18/09, krishlan fitzsimmons <homeremodeling2003 at yahoo.com> wrote:

                  IMO, for many, the point of flying pattern isn't to go to the nats. If this was the case, we would have about 125 pattern pilots. The point of flying pattern to many in my district varies, but not many want to go to the nats. Now this being said, I do want to go, still in Masters this year, but next year I will fly FAI. My thought is that if I want to fly 2 rounds of F at a contest, I can choose to do this, but they will be my throw away rounds. The pilot who doesn't want to practice F shouldn't be forced to fly it, or have his rounds thrown away just because the pilots who go to the nats want local contests flown how the nats are. 

                  I would assume that most FAI nats pilots don't care about the trophy anyway, so we could judge them all 6 rounds of F if they want.  As a masters pilot, I like judging the F sequence. I support it being flown, and judged at locals, however, I don't think it should be forced to be flown at a local.  Just my opinion. 

                  Think about this, try the system of flying both sequences at a contest, now throw in us, or imagine yourself being one of the masters guys who want to move up. Would you want to be forced to learn two sequences just to move up and fly a contest? Or be forced to take two zero rounds because you just moved up and haven't had time to learn two sequences? Many would stay in Masters I would guess. 

                  Chris 

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