[NSRCA-discussion] Competition

Tue Sep 20 13:29:26 AKDT 2016

It isn't about messing up the sequence..it's all about attracting more
participation by pilots who think they can actually have a chance of flying
the maneuvers. 

David Harmon

Sperry, OK

From: Randy Forbus [mailto:Rforbus at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 3:01 PM
To: David Harmon <k6xyz at sbcglobal.net>; General pattern discussion
<nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

I don't agree to do away with turnaround below the masters , I enjoy
screwing up the advanced sequence.

  _____  

From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org> > on behalf of David
Harmon via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> >
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 4:43 PM
To: 'General pattern discussion'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition 

That's correct John..but back then there were..let's say..60 entrants to
almost every contest.

These days with electric power..noise is no longer a concern.

I think our problem is to a large extent..the difficulty of flying Pattern.

Let's face it guys..flying Pattern is DIFFICULT.

It takes dedication..you cannot just buy your way into the event with
hardware and be successful.

Years ago..there were no ARF's...a Pattern style airplane had to be
built...then you had to learn to fly it.if you could get the engine to run.

This was difficult to say the least...but the Patterns were much easier than
today.

Today the situation is totally reversed. 

E-power is like a light switch...it runs perfect every time and when you
shut it off there is no maintenance. 

There are no Pattern kits that I know of...so most of us fly ARF airplanes
that are better than most guys can build.

Today the emphasis is on flying...not messing around with the hardware.

This is where the modern day  'difficult' part comes in.

Pattern maneuvers are just too damn difficult for new entrants to make the
jump to the event..even if they already sport fly..attracting non-modelers
is a non-starter.

This is the main reason that in my opinion...the NSRCA should make all AMA
classes non-turnaround or at least classes lower than Masters. 

Pattern has to be made 'do-able' for existing flyers...

We need to show these sport flyers that they can actually fly the maneuvers
the first time out and that they can quickly build skill and take home some
wood.

That will let many flyers become encouraged enough to get started and stay
engaged and perhaps become skilled enough to howl with the big dawgs in FAI.

For the guys that want to have a continuous challenge to their skills..let
them fly FAI..that should keep them busy for a while.

We cannot just keep on doing the same old same old...

Something..anything..needs to be tried to get new entrants and retain
existing pilots.

David Harmon

Sperry, OK

From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of John Pavlick via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 10:02 AM
To: 'General pattern discussion' <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> >
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

I always thought the reason why we went to turnaround Pattern in the first
place was to reduce our "footprint" and to minimize noise. This was back
when we had 60's and tuned pipes (the good old days) Now that the average
Pattern plane makes less noise than a freaking butterfly I guess it could
become an option (no turnarounds) but I don't think that's necessary. 

One thing that we tried in D1 was to have an informal / loosely judged
competition with small electric planes. We opened this to ANYONE although I
don't think any nn Pattern pilots ever entered. It was fun but we stopped
doing it.

See the REAL "problem" is that, as you said, we're losing people faster than
we're attracting new ones. Just retaining people is good and certainly
necessary but it just stops the bleeding. You DO need to get new people
interested but as I've said that's about 1 out of every 10 that has just
learned to fly. :(

John Pavlick

Cell: 203-417-4971

Integrated Development Services

From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of David Harmon via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2016 2:38 AM
To: 'Scott McHarg'; 'General pattern discussion'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

Even if we are recognized..the interested person is likely going to be a
modeler who already is aware of Pattern.

I don't think any assets or time should be wasted in trying to get
non-modelers-flyers interested in Pattern.

As others have said.it's booooring.like watching paint dry.

There are plenty of modelers who already know how to fly but are never going
to try Pattern.

In the past..retaining flyers is a larger problem than attracting new
flyers.

Over the years the entry count dwindled to what it is now..extremely low.

Why???

There are a lot of reasons but in my opinion..the most prominent are...

Turnaround style of maneuvers.

Ever increasing difficulty of maneuvers.

Some clubs resistance to an event that locks up the field for 2 days..or
even 1 day..for a crummy $50 or so donation to the club from entry fee
residue.

As others have repeatedly said...expense. I really don't buy this because
Pattern has ALWAYS been expensive.this is nothing new.

If a club flyer is interested enough to try Pattern..he will find a way to
justify the expense.

The same flyers always win, place or show. 

After years of trying.many flyers drop out because they know they do not
have a chance of taking home any wood..yes, I know, practice more..true to a
point.

Judging...well...we all know about this subject..but I know this causes many
flyers to drop out.

All of this is nothing new..it has been hashed over hundreds of times..but
as Scott said..nothing keeps on happening.

I think that the NSRCA should try something radically new..like change all
classes below Masters to non-Turnaround maneuvers.

Fly what you bring..up to 30 lbs.

Remove all integrated maneuvers from Masters class.

Have radically fewer contests in an effort to get the entrant count much
higher at each contest as a way to help club members justify a non-flying
weekend.

Hopefully a large crowd will attract club members to Pattern..6 guys flying
for two days ain't gonna attract anything but hard feelings from club
members who just want to fly their stick.

If changes similar to the above could be tried..perhaps club members should
be allowed to sport fly along with the contestants.

This at the least would remove the club members 'lost weekend' and perhaps
change the attitude of some clubs.

David Harmon

Sperry, OK

From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Scott McHarg via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2016 4:14 PM
To: Atwood, Mark <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com <mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
>; General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> >
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

The original reason I posted this is because we need to really "do
something" to actually get people to recognize us.  DRL got ESPN and, while
there is an obvious attraction to this by young and old, they started from
something and somewhere.  Do we need ESPN?  While nice, the answer is no.  I
wanted to show all of us that this is what is attracting potential pilots
and, for that matter, getting the notoriety.  The discussion is usually "why
is this happening" instead of what can we do to "Be like Mike" (in this
case) and then actually acting on those ideas.  There have been some pretty
good ones in this thread.  Maybe it's time we acted.  Let's not leave it up
to someone else to do the acting, each one of us can make a difference in
our own way and through our own contacts.

Scott A. McHarg

VSCL / CANVASS U.A.S. Research Pilot

Texas A&M University

PPL - ASEL

Remote Pilot Certified Under FAA Part 107

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