[NSRCA-discussion] Competition

Wed Sep 21 14:42:50 AKDT 2016

Our pattern group mentored 3 young men over the years and each was very
successful.    And then ======= they discovered cars and girls, graduated
from HS and had to get a life.   I hope they come back at some point.

From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Ron Hansen via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 5:33 PM
To: 'Atwood, Mark'; 'General pattern discussion'; 'Monte Richard'
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

I'm not going offer any solutions as I don't believe there is one or even a
few of the many solutions offered so far that are going to make a difference
but it certainly doesn't hurt to try some of them.

I'm going to ask another questions; that demonstrates how difficult the
situation is.

How many father/son teams are out there?  I know a few but my sense is it is
statistically small.

We can't even get our own sons to join us on a consistent basis.

This just demonstrates how tough it is to recruit new blood.

Many of the father/son teams I know aren't at the majority of contests and
I'm not being critical here.

Many are going to school or are participating in other activities which, if
I were them, I would be doing those other things too.

Perhaps in the future, our children will re-enter the competition field
after college or high school but that decision will depend on a whole host
of issues already discussed.

Food for thought.

Ron Hansen

From: NSRCA-discussion [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Atwood, Mark via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 6:01 PM
To: Monte Richard; General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Competition

+10 

Our best contests have huge social components, typically in the form of a
WAY too much good food.   Pretty sure the only reason Anthony ever came to
St. Clairsville was for the saturday lunch.

MARK ATWOOD

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On Sep 21, 2016, at 5:18 PM, Monte Richard via NSRCA-discussion
<nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

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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