[NSRCA-discussion] The most important thing to understand aboutpattern

[rixsweeney at gmail.com]

Good stuff…I remember when I was flying Sportsman years ago, and struggling, Geoff Combs called me out of the blue and we had a long conversation about flying pattern. I doubt he would remember it, but obviously I did and still do after all these years. Geoff at the time was a really good FAI pilot.  It made a big impression on me not only about Geoff as a person but about the hobby\sport overall. He helped reinforce my underlying passion and somehow convinced me that flying pattern was a worthwhile endeavor. He pointed out that at some point it would all start making some sense, and that I would start seeing progress as long as I was willing to put in the effort. Progress means something different for some than others, but once I discovered the mystery’s of flying the Cuban eight with half rolls I was hooked. Something so allusive was finally looking possible and the first time I did it right, I couldn’t believe it, and it took me back to the conversation I had with Geoff several months before, that it is, worthwhile.   

I love the process of practicing. I think getting that task into perspective helps ones overall progress.  Once you make the process the goal, what comes after will work itself out. A sense of achievement is not always a trophy in this sport. Finally figuring out the Cuban for the first time and being able to do it again and again will give you a sense of achievement as much or more than any trophy ever will, unless its your first one…😊 The first one will always be the best one.

For the guys on this list  just getting started…Do-Observe-Correct. Once you get that process squared away, progress will come, and it will be worth it. Don’t give up.

Rick Sweeney


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From: susan varela via NSRCA-discussion
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2017 2:40 PM
To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The most important thing to understand aboutpattern

Peter has a VERY strong point. 
Have a upper class call and help them.


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-----Original Message-----

From: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
To: atwoodm at paragon-inc.com,nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
Cc: Snaproll4 at aol.com
Sent: 2017-07-13 2:03:51 PM 
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The most important thing to understand about pattern
I totally agree on the last point!  Given that there are typically relatively few sportsman pilots, I would encourage CDs and Judges to make the time to allow the judges to provide 1-2 pieces of actionable advice to the sportsman pilots.  It shouldn't be things like "fix your centering" as they don't know what that means.  It should be "For the 45 degree downline to be considered centered, you need to start the down line to your left (when flying the direction you did today), and finish it the same distance away on your right.  You were consistently starting your center maneuvers too late, so they were significantly offset and I had to take off X points". Or "Slow down.  At cruising speed you should be traversing from the left box line to the right box line in X seconds.  Max throttle should only be needed on vertical up lines and the climbing parts of loops.  Cruise throttle should be used when flying straight and level", etc.   

I *really* like what was reported last weekend about assigning a masters or FAI pilot to call for a sportsman pilot through a whole contest in Cedar Rapids.  Absolutely brilliant!  

Peter+

On Thu, Jul 13, 2017 at 10:54 AM, Atwood, Mark via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:
At least 20 years.  

And we JUST lost a very active (came to 9-10 contests a year) Intermediate pilot because the box is too much for him.  Flying Sportsman was no good because he was usually the only one, and he wanted competition rather than a participation award.   I’ve said for many years the we lost a lot of non-traveling, club participants when we went to turn-around.   But that ship has sailed and we won’t realistically be going back. 

One thing I’d like to see at local contests is more attention and more flights for Sportsman pilots.  We have to make their contest experience a great one.  All too often they pay full price and get short shrift on flying and attention.  That alone could help us.

-M
MARK ATWOOD
o.  (440) 229-2502
c.  (216) 316-2489
e.  atwoodm at paragon-inc.com

Paragon Consulting, Inc.
5900 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 205, Cleveland Ohio, 44124
www.paragon-inc.com
 
Powering The Digital Experience

On Jul 13, 2017, at 1:34 PM, Snaproll4--- via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

Mark,  Is it 20 years ago already?  That's when I started pushing for unhindered movement between classes.  As I came up through the classes I saw many people drop out because they were "sick of finishing last". Of course, if they moved back and consistently finished #1-#3, they would be shamed.  Every year that proposal would set people's hair on fire.  Why have rules that discourage participation?  On another matter, Turnaround was the death of the casual competitor. It takes a lot of practice to learn to keep a whole sequence in the box.  I think that Intermediate should have some breaks in the sequence.
 
Steve Miller
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Director, Fixed Wing Flight Training
Santa Clara County Model Aircraft Skypark
Associate Vice President, Academy of Model Aeronautics District X
Treasurer, National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics (NSRCA)

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