[NSRCA-discussion] Growing Pattern for 2017 - Part 2 - Culture - What are we missing?

[David Cook]

Maybe instead of thinking of ourselves as a destination, maybe market
ourselves as an *entry gate to better flying*.
TOP GUN
We have a program that will make any modeler progress to better flying! and
that is unique among modeling SIGs. Where else can you exit to pursue other
interests with intentionally higher flying skills than when you entered!

I know several 'former' pattern fliers who are in other areas of interest
that admit that they are only able to pursue them with success because they
were forced to master many skills in pattern. Sure you can learn to fly
without pattern but you can tell in the air those that came through
pattern. Imagine scale contests if the flying judging was held before the
static judging. I can always tell a fearless 3D flyer form a 3D pilot that
came through pattern by the over/under rotation and angles and up lines,
obvious  difference.  Even at demonstrations I have experienced full scale
aero pilots notice that our flying style is so much more disciplined and
unique. Even the local club members wonder why I am able to buy airplanes
that are not effected by cross winds.
All this starts so much earlier than the contest flight line. Do any of you
remember the feeling of accomplishment when you got an airplane to actually
start and fly 6 consecutive times in a row (without minor reconstruction)?
Do you remember the first time you *deliberately* pointed your only working
airplane at the ground in your first loop?

We have a lot to offer.

Judging seminars may be a best start. Meet in the off season, Invite all
who may be interested, bribe them with donuts if you have to. And if we
don't get to judging that may be OK. Airplane and radio setup alone would
increase the success of the novitiate. Can NSRCA resurrect and update the
judging seminar handouts and power points that we could be use again. I
remember sheets on aircraft set up, expo, throw angels, CG,  Aristi, trim
charts, etc. all that would help get a good start. Even if we don't get a
competitor, we may get a judge. (Didn't we used to have a pattern primer at
Toledo?)

Develop a coach/sponsor. Most all of us do this naturally, but if we reach
out in our districts and offer seminars and someone to contact, we would
appear less distant than we may appears to the club fliers currently. This
effect my be because there a so few of us and we are some distant apart, so
it isn't anything we have done deliberately in the past, but maybe we can
improve it in the future. A known sponsor to your first event can only help
you get over the jitters that come with competition.

A mobile on-line presence will be necessary for the future. To start we
don't need to scare entry away with the F3a sequence. Just a nice slow
narrated presentation of the sportsman pattern with long out of the box
time to calm the would be competitor. What are we looking for, straight and
level, master that and we are half way home.

End of Rant.
No brainstorm here, just a light drizzle
Dave Cook
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