[NSRCA-discussion] Rules Proposals

Tue Mar 13 05:49:18 AKDT 2012

Bob,
   I think one thing that everyone is either dismissing or not considering
is this:  Pattern is not driven by AMA classes.  Pattern is strictly driven
by FAI as FAI is worldwide.  If a manufacturer were to develop new
technology for the United States AMA class, they would essentially exclude
themselves from the rest of the pattern market worldwide.  No manufacturer
is going to take advantage of a rule that only effects the AMA classes.  If
FAI ever decides to change the rules, that's when you will see a change to
pattern as a whole.  Granted, the US is different in that FAI is not "the
only" destination class.  In the rest of the world, you are nobody if you
are flying the development classes and "may" become somebody once you are
in FAI.  The rest of the world "awards" the ability to fly in FAI.  You
don't just randomly decide to go fly it.  You must earn that right.  So,
basically new technology is not going to be developed because of an
AMA-only rules change.  AMA has essentially stuck by what FAI has done
always as the thought process was everyone wanted to make it to FAI.
That's no so much the case any more.  Dave Lockhart even said in an email
to us all that flat out, FAI (or the top guys) drive what even the
beginners do and buy and try (simply paraphrased).  That tells us even more
so that this would not change the face of pattern.  Sure, there's going to
be some extraordinary people here in the US that have the desire to try new
things to take advantage of the weight rule.  Will it so severely impact
pattern that more change will be necessary?  Doubtful.

Just a thought and hopefully to get y'all thinking about that facet as well.

With a due respect,
Scott

On Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 8:25 AM, Bob Richards <bob at toprudder.com> wrote:

> Dave,
>
> That shows how much I have been paying attention. I thought all AMA
> classes were limited to 5kg now. With the 115 gram allowance, I don't see
> the need for a change. But I still don't see why people are getting so
> heated up over it.
>
> You do bring up a good point about the 4S rule, though. We keep reacting
> to technology with new rules, and the technology keeps reacting to the
> rules with new equipment. I guess it is a part of competition that we have
> to learn to accept. If we accept it, then maybe we can get out of this
> reactionary cycle.
>
> Back when they removed the displacement limit, I figured that it would
> make the engines less expensive. I was wrong. But I also predicted that the
> weight would then become the limiting factor and the airframe expense would
> go up. Generally, I think I was right with that one.
>
> Every time someone suggested that a rules change would result in less
> expense, it probably hasn't and in fact may have cause more expense in the
> long run. In fact, I think your earlier statement about every rules change
> to increase size/weight limits having resulted in more expensive models is
> generally accurate. I would not have thought so 10 years ago, but I guess
> history has taught us that lesson.
>
> One can argue that leaving the size/weight rules alone can actually
> decrease the cost. In the manufacturer's eyes, a rules change will obsolete
> existing equipment. Think about it - in most cases the manufacturers will
> change their designs to try to take advantage of the rules. They will have
> to spend more of their money bring new products to the market - an expense
> that is passed on to the pilot.  If they could stop shooting at a moving
> target they might start trying to recoup their cost over lots of 1000
> instead of lots of 100. Maybe. I just hope the domestic manufacturers
> figure that out before China does. :-)
>
> Bob R.
>
>
> --- On *Mon, 3/12/12, Dave Lockhart <DaveL322 at comcast.net>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Dave Lockhart <DaveL322 at comcast.net>
>
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rules Proposals
> To: "'General pattern discussion'" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
> Date: Monday, March 12, 2012, 6:59 PM
>
>
>   The proposed weight change is for all AMA classes.  We already have an
> allowance of 115 grams for hand-me-downs…..if that is an important aspect,
> then why not make it 5615 grams for Advanced, Intermediate, and Sportsman?
>
>
>
> “The fact is that the proposed rule does not exclude any planes that are
> already legal.”
>
>
>
> And the fact is that the 120 4C rule did not exclude 60 2C….but they
> rapidly became uncompetitive once the competition variety 4Cs were
> developed.
>
>
>
> I see the electric vs glow aspect a completely moot point…..it will all be
> electric (or close to it) soon enough….even with rules that many feel are
> biased against electric.
>
>
>
> Having the weight limit on the books, and checking it at the NATs is what
> keeps the playing field level.  Same as having a noise rule keeps the
> planes quiet, even if it not checked locally.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Dave L
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:
> nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] *On Behalf Of *Bob Richards
> *Sent:* Sunday, March 11, 2012 1:22 PM
> *To:* General pattern discussion
> *Subject:* Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rules Proposals
>
>
>
> Guys,
>
>
>
> For the life of me, I can't see why everyone is getting bent out of shape
> over the proposed weight limt rule for the lower classes. It opens up the
> possibilities for someone wanting to get started in pattern and competing
> in the lower classes, IMHO. If someone in the upper classes has a plane
> that is at the weight limit, but is unable to repair the plane without it
> going over the limit, then it becomes a perfect hand-me-down for someone
> getting started.
>
>
>
> The fact is that the proposed rule does not exclude any planes that are
> already legal. The guys that build light know they should have a better
> flying plane than one that is heavier. The only reason I can think of that
> people with light planes can get upset with this rule is that someone with
> a heavier plane might beat them.
>
>
>
> OTOH, how often are models weighed at local contests? I never saw it done
> in the years I flew, but that was before the electrics came on the scene.
> Tell me, does any CD weigh planes at a local event now? If not, then I am
> really confused about weight limit discussions where someone says it is
> ruining things to raise the weight limit, when no one is checking it at
> local contests anyway. Why all the fuss (one way or the other) about a rule
> that no one enforces except at the Nats?
>
>
>
> I really don't have a dog in this hunt. I'm just confused about all the
> strongly worded comments going back and forth. This, IMHO, does more to
> turn people off from pattern than any rule change proposal.
>
>
>
> Bob R.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*Scott A. McHarg*
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