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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Bob,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks for sharing your story. The
other angle on it this and I’ll use myself as an example: Any
discount I’ve received bar none, has been GREATLY spent back into the
sport by attending high number of contests, all the travel gas money associated
with it, and a nearly uncountable # of “extra” miles I’ve
driven to remote flying sites just to get some practice in - many times
having to just turn around and go home because of bad weather or whatever. The equipment
is a one time purchase (discounted or full price), where as the total
cumulative effort to practice and attend contests is repetitive and in my case
far out weighs anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>However, given that I’m sort of
studying the differences between IMAC and Pattern this year from a perspective
of practicing, contests, & equipment, the main point of my email response
is that your note below ABSOLUTELY applies in IMAC. Competitive IMAC
flying could cost you 3 to 4 times more than any pattern investment (including
electric power). This weekend turned out to be very expensive for
me: 1. The 3W that was running on one cylinder so much has literally
destroyed the canisters. I’m thinking to go with the standard
mufflers at $150/pair, instead of moving to the steel MTW canister/headers at
roughly $450/pair. 2. Had to purchase a well used backup 3W 150 TOC
with old ignition style and old carburetor ($1000). 3. Once I had a
good running engine making some balls-out power, determined that I need to add
one more aileron servo per wing. 4. Decided to “ensure”
all the servos were getting their proper voltage and upgraded the power system
to the Smart-Fly Power Expander and Turbo Regulator. My little
lion-chargers were not up to snuff and needed to get a Fromcoe 3 port charger so
the entire plane can charge at 2 amps at one time. As for number of
flights, I am right about 50 total flights – low flying time and huge
extra costs driven by the poor running 3W with new style ignition and
destructive vibration. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If you ever want to appreciate what
pattern has, and what in my opinion the current rules have ultimately had on
cost, go and out fit an unlimited style setup for IMAC. Then, go to the
contests and break something. Sure, some people have walked into it
without problems, while other have trailers with: Extra motors, extra
motor parts, extra exhaust systems, extra ignitions, extra Power Boxes, Spare
Plane or two, spare servos/receivers. Thus, getting back your statements below,
I see them as incredibly accurate (honestly), of what can happen in scale aerobatics,
and not so applicable on the pattern seen (given the difference in scale of
economy –no pun intended). I would almost go so far as to draw the line
and say you cannot be competitive without sponsorships in IMAC, where as with
pattern, you can get into it with an OS 140, Dave L 3 blade, ARF, and it will
typically out-fly your abilities. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Jim W.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Bob Richards<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, April 03, 2006 2:26
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">NSRCA
Mailing List</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [NSRCA-discussion]
The Pilot</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sponsorship is not something that I like to talk about. Since the
subject has been brought up, I would like to share my story/viewpoint.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Back when I was very active in pattern, I was trying to become
sponsored, as I felt it was the only way I would be able to afford to fly
pattern competitively. I cut my teeth flying a Cap 21 (four servos and an OS
Surpass 1.20) in Advanced and Masters, and managed to win the district points
championship in the Masters class in '92. I could not get any sponsors. I put
together a low budget pattern plane for '93. Same engine, stubby muffler, 20
year old retracts, old Futaba 7ch radio. I managed to win the Nats in '93 with
that plane. I was able to pick up a local startup fuel sponsor, but no
equipment sponsors. After several letters to Futaba, they did make me a field
rep. No free equipment, I had to buy my equipment but it was discounted and for
that I was VERY grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I was looking ahead to flying at the Nats in '95 but still did not have
any equipment sponsors. However, I was talking with a fellow club member about
my situation one day, and he (his company) sponsored my trip to the '95 Nats.
Although I finished mid-pack in the FAI class, I did finish 3rd in one
round. Still no equipment sponsors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I don't think it was my personality. I try to be a likeable guy,
willing to help others. After my two visits to the Nats, I was pretty convinced
that personality must not have much to do with it anyway. There was one well
known sponsored pilot that I met at each Nats that was the most arrogant,
egotistical person that I think I have ever met, and most people that I talk to
feels the same way about this person. (I did score higher than him in two
rounds at the '95 Nats, though!!)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>During all of this, I had spent a lot of time flying. In '96 I changed
jobs, moved to a new house, and had a 2 year old son. All the flying was
taking away time from my family, so dropped out of flying. Not just pattern,
flying altogether. It was not until last year when my son became interested
that I got back into flying.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This year I dusted off my old Finesse and started flying it again. I
was looking forward to competing with it. However, I crashed it a few weeks
ago. I had to make a decision about whether I wanted to invest in a new plane.
Keep in mind that a lot of things have changed, like engines and digital
servos, etc. I was probably looking at dropping $2000 into new equipment. I
decided against it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>My son is just starting to get into the hobby, and I want this to be
HIS hobby. I don't want him to feel like I'm dragging him around, I want him to
feel like he is there because he wants to be there. He is showing more interest
in foamies, 3d and IMAC planes, so that is where I am going to put my
money for now. I've always had an interest in scale aerobatics, and I already
have most of the equipment I need to get started at least in the IMAC Sportsman
class.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I don't want it to sound like I don't have money to spend on pattern, I
could spend the money if I wanted to. However, I went through a layoff 3 years
ago, and I am a little gun-shy about spending money on things like toy
airplanes that can go splat. Maybe I just don't have the fire inside that I
used to have.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I don't really have anything against sponsored pilots. Good for them if
they can become sponsored. However, being sponsored does give them an advantage
that makes it hard for the unsponsored, with equal skill, to overcome, IMHO.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Maybe this all sounds a little "sour grapes". I don't know.
It is what it is.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Bob R.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<b><i><span style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>"<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Del</st1:place></st1:State> K. Rykert"
<drykert2@rochester.rr.com></span></i></b> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Sponsorship does have negative aspects also Nat. Well
true, that the majority of sponsored pilots have garnered their sponsorship
through their genuine ability this has not always been the
case. Sponsorship, can give some pilots, if all other things are equal
regarding skill an advantage. Is very similar to the argument that it is not
the equipment... BUT the skill of the pilot that is truly the difference. The
truth is better equipment, whether obtained through ones own pockets that may
be deeper than others or through sponsorship does make the workload less for
the competitive pilot so they can focus more of their energy on improving their
skills. The disadvantaged always have a harder time overcoming obstacles
that money or sponsorship does allow. IMHO. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> The raw numbers of competitors is
low enough without making a new group of sponsored pilots. But it might help if
sponsored pilots were only allowed in the Masters & FAI classes if
there ever was a need to address the issue. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Del</st1:place></st1:State> <br>
nsrca - 473</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='font-color:black'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='background:#E4E4E4'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:natpenton@centurytel.net" title="natpenton@centurytel.net">Nat
Penton</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>To:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <a
href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org"
title="nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Sunday, April 02,
2006 5:29 PM<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> [NSRCA-discussion]
The Pilot<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The sponsored pilot received his sponsorship because of his
skill and dedication. He did not gain competitive advantage due to the
sponsorship. It is a priviledge and opportunity to be able to fly alongside
this talent and partake of their skills and knowledge. It is one aspect of the
hobby for which I am most appreciative.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>There have been infrequent critizisms thru the years wanting
to put the sponsored pilot in a separate group. Maybe "sour grapes"
should just work a little harder.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>
Nat Penton</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>No virus found in this outgoing message.<br>
Checked by AVG Free Edition.<br>
Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.3.3/296 - Release Date: 3/29/2006<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>_______________________________________________<br>
NSRCA-discussion mailing list<br>
NSRCA-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<br>
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>_______________________________________________<br>
NSRCA-discussion mailing list<br>
NSRCA-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<br>
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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