[NSRCA-discussion] Competition

[Monte Richard]

Something that was briefly mentioned in I think one post on the subject of improving participation in pattern competitions. The social aspect.

>From reading thru the many post, a common theme seems to be the cost of two day events, travel, motels, etc to attend an event especially if your following the circuit to fairly far away events.

Many clubs have lost the social aspect of the competition. Most are charging $35 to $40 entry fees. Yet what does the competitor get for his entry fee and vast amount he spends on gas, motels, and travel to the event? One free hamburger, chip, and a drink. A picture trophy framed in a dollar store frame. There are some clubs that offer a better meal, maybe a bar-b-que chicken dinner, or better trophies. Those usually have a little better attendance.

When pattern was hot and heavily participated in, most of the clubs had a Saturday night banquet. It was something for the money you spent to attend an event, weather you were a contender or a not so competitive pilot. You felt like you received something for your entry fee even if it wasn't a trophy. Is also gave the pattern community a chance to come together for a fun evening, a chance to meet new friends, and enjoy some time with old friends. Even clubs that didn't put on a banquet, at least picked a restaurant near the field that could handle a crowd, and announced to the competitors that we would all meet there for dinner and fellowship. Don't underestimate the value of this fellowship, it's the most important part of competition to many modelers who may never reside at the top of the classes. Old stories and tall tales reign and make for a very enjoyable and memorable evening.

Our sport has lost it's heart, and everyone knows you spend your money where your heart is.

Adding classes puts a burden of added trophies and expensed on the competition. Sportsman was designed as an entry level event. When we decided to add a district championship for the class, we inadvertently added the enticement to stay in Sportsman. So instead of only staying a season or two in sportsman and then moving up, we now have people camping out in sportsman to get a district championship. That is a large part of why newcomers see 2M pattern planes and 3 or 4 year veterans in Sportsman and feel they can't compete. The beginning class needs to be just that, a beginning class to get a taste, then get in the game. Once you move up to a 2M pattern plane, your ready to move to Intermediate and continue your learning experience. Keep sportsman for the newbies with the sport planes.

Someone posted a good idea, if you want to promote pattern, then work with your club to put on a one day club contest three or four times a year, just for your club members. Have a bar-b-que at the field and promote it as a come out, try a simple pattern and get coached by experienced pattern pilots to improve your flying and win bragging rights or simple prizes. No pressure event for fun to offer a taste of what pattern can do to improve your flying. In the process a few will get the bug. Others won't, but they'll have a new appreciation for what pattern is about. Invite a pattern pilot from neighboring clubs to come help put it on, coach or judge. Give helping judging hints to the pilots, and see that they have an enjoyable day.

Monte


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