[NSRCA-discussion] Still need more motivation to go to the Nats

[Monte Richard]

2019 AMA RC Aerobatic Pattern Nationals

Why go to the Pattern Nationals?

Since the Pattern Nationals is only about 2 months away, I figured we should discuss why YOU should go to the Nationals. For those who have already been to a Pattern Nationals, you already know why. If you have never been to one, you need to go. The number one reason You need to go is "It's Fun, Challenging, and Educational". Corporations host seminars to educate their employees in places where they can have fun while attending. It's a proven fact that learning and retention are improved if you're having fun during the process. Life can get serious at times, thus the need for hobbies and sports that bring some fun into the mix. You really, really need a week at the Nats. You need to be there.

The Pattern Nationals is a unique, tangible, social event. Attending it for the first time will change you, and you being there may change the experience for others. The Pattern Nationals creates an instant community of people with a common interest, once a year. It brings together the best pilots, the most interested R/C enthusiasts, the prettiest planes with the shiniest finishes, the top competitors and so much more. Again, you need to go.

The Pattern Nationals of the past are always remembered, like a legend. The stories are always greater, the wind always seems stronger, the rain wetter, the clouds more threatening, the Sun hotter, or the cold front colder and stronger, but the memories always instill pride and accomplishment. You will learn so much more in one week of competition at the Nationals then in a whole season of local contests. You need to go.

You will get to make new friends, or see old friends from years past that you only get to see once a year, here at the Nats. The sky will be full of planes from Dawn to Dusk with both practice and competition. The skies buzzing with aviation in it's magnificent glory and the spectacle of seeing a whole range of planes produced specifically for precision and agility. See those planes you've oogled over, watch them fly, talk to the owners and designers, and fly alongside some of the top pilots in the country. Compete to measure your skills against the best in your class from across the country. When you attend, you meet people you've read about in the magazines, and even some who will be showing up in the magazines in the future. You'll see the latest plane designs, the latest technology in use, and become a part of model aviation in a whole new way. Did I mention that you need to go.

By competing you will learn where you stand as compared to other pilots across the country. You will reinforce your knowledge of what you already know about precision aerobatics. You will also learn many things you don't know and the many things you need to work on to improve your skills. With a few questions and some curiosity you will possibly learn more about set up, trimming, and preparation then you ever though there was to know. The Nats is an enlightening experience. It's the place you need to be.
Many times we hear pilots say that "they aren't ready for the Nats" or that "they aren't good enough to compete in the Nats". These excuses are so many kinds of wrong. Competing in the Nats, you will learn so much more than staying at home. The only way to get ready to compete in the Nats is to actually enter and compete in the Nats. No other contest can compare to the experience and even come close to preparing you. Competing in a Nats is the fastest way to improve your flying skills. It is the only way to learn to overcome the nerves of competing against so many of the best pilots in the country. No local contest jitters even come close to the nerves of standing on the ready line for your first flight at the Nationals. Once you learn to handle your nerves at the Nats, your flying will move to an altogether new level, along with your confidence. The intensity of the experience drives home the lessons learned like no other experience in the country. If you think you will wait until you're good enough to win the Nats before you go to one, then you probably won't win it anyway. The nerves will get you. The best way to prepare for the experience is to go and compete. It may take a few times to learn to handle the personal preparation needed to win a Nationals, so work on that while you're working on your skill level and be prepare in both areas. Experience wins, not just flying experience, but National competition experience as well. Step up, you need to be there.

When it comes to the joy and virtues of competing in precision aerobatics, you already know most of them since you are interested enough to be reading this article. Since you are pretty well hooked on pattern flying and precision aerobatics, as well as the self-improvement it generates, you know there is no AA (Airplane Anonymous), no 12 step program that can help you. The ultimate fulfillment of our common addiction is to compete against the best, to fly in this National event and become a part of something really big. For serious adrenaline junkies, and competitive thrill seekers, the Pattern Nationals is a monster step up from the local stuff. If your knees knock and your hands shake at the local level, they will knock so loud and shake so bad when you step up for your first flight at the Nationals you'll wonder if they'll ever settle down. One year, the only thing I could think of while standing in the ready box for my first flight at the Nationals was, "GOD please don't let me throw up in front of the judges, that would be so embarrassing", and no this wasn't even at my first Nats. Even if you have overcome your nerves and don't get nervous anymore at a local contest, you will experience them all over again at your first Nats. There is a difference between wanting something and needing it. I'm telling you, you need to attend the Nats.

Whether you win, lose or place somewhere in the middle of the pack, it will be the experience of a lifetime, you will learn a lot about your flying, and about yourself. Eventually in R/C precision aerobatics, all roads lead to the Nationals. It's the Ultimate destination in model aviation in the US. Regardless of where you come out in the standing, the social events and comraderies with new and old friends will be worth the adventure. The Nationals are special, it takes all of you being there to compete and enjoy the event to keep it special.

Start planning your trip now. YOU really, really, really NEED to be there.

Register now on the AMA web site modelaircraft.org and I look forward to seeing you there.

Monte Richard
2019 AMA Pattern Nats ED
AMA 5581, NSRCA 4469
NSRCA D6 VP
mrichard at compassengineering.com<mailto:mrichard at compassengineering.com>
Cell 337-349-6627


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