<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1250">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've read most of the replies in this discussion
thread. I'm sure my take on this subject has been stated before, but I'm
going to give it any way.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>These pilots are not winning because they are
sponsored, they are sponsored because they are winning. I don't see that
fact as a detriment to the pilot that pays his own way, nor do I see this as a
reason to add expense to local contests by giving out additional
plaques.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I, for one, will never be good enough to get a
sponsorship, I know that fact, and am ok with it. I will go out and do my
best, practice when I can, and have a ball! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If I can't afford the best of the best, it's ok,
I'll fly what I can afford. I happen to have a very good plane this year,
however, it's only because Mark gave me a great deal on his El Nino that I
have a great plane. If it was necessary, I would still be flying my LA-2,
and I would be ok with that, because I would still be having fun.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The only way that I see a sponsorship as a HUGE
advantage is if it entailed fuel. That would be nice, but again, if I
couldn't afford YS 20/20 or DZ, I would be running a ST-2300, cheap fuel and a
lot of power for the money.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Some things I will be doing this year are as
follows, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Practicing as much as I can.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Learning every chance I get.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Having fun.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Something I will not be doing this
year,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. Worrying about the fact that I'm not
sponsered.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ken Thompson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>D4</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><SPAN class=830005604-05042006><FONT
size=2><U><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#0000ff></FONT></U><U><FONT
face="Times New Roman" color=#0000ff></FONT></U><U><FONT
face="Times New Roman" color=#0000ff></FONT></U><U><FONT
face="Times New Roman" color=#0000ff></FONT></U><U><FONT
face="Times New Roman" color=#0000ff></FONT></U><BR> </FONT>
</DIV></SPAN>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> <A
href="mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org">nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org</A>
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B><A
href="mailto:DaveL322@comcast.net">DaveL322@comcast.net</A><BR><B>Sent:</B>
Tuesday, April 04, 2006 11:47 AM<BR><B>To:</B> NSRCA Mailing
List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] The
Pilot<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Recently, in the US, the idea that "we are all winners" and everyone
should be awarded for participating and trying hard in competive
environments has been propagated in many areas.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>There is no doubt that we could easily create enough categories (Jr,
Sr, Open, unsponsored, over 60, most improved, etc) such that everyone could
be a winner at every pattern contest.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The take away I saw from the emails from Ed and Matt was pretty simple
- pattern competition is just that - competition. And all competitions
traditionally recognize the top finisher, or the top 3, or top 10%, with
awards/trophies/etc. I'm with Ed and Matt - I like the award system in
pattern the way it is, just my opinion. Promoting pattern and
encouraging growth/participation are a separate issue with many avenues
available outside of awards/trophies/etc, again, just my opinion.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Dave Lockhart</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:DaveL322@comcast.net">DaveL322@comcast.net</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><FONT
face=Arial size=2></FONT> </BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
<HR>
<BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>