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<DIV>Since moving to the NE, I managed to attend 1 full blown contest primarily due to business commitments. There were several on the docket but that's all I could attend. </DIV>
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<DIV>However, earlier in the season, I attended and assisted in 3 primers. I'd like to think that the fellows attending got something out of the primers, even if they never attend a full blown contest again. If they never attend, was the effort in vain?? I think not. I see long time pattern guys making continuous efforts along similar lines, mentoring new guys. The K-Factor is often a key ingredient.</DIV>
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<DIV>Is there a decline? Perhaps there is, at least somewhat, here in NE anyway. But considering the problems we have had finding, obtaining the rights to and maintaining a decent flying site, I understand perfectly why the problems may exist, here in NE. My club field for example is year to year and it's doubtful we could ever host an event due to the uncertainty.</DIV>
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<DIV>We have a bunch of high level, dedicated pattern people in the NE. Although the present state of pattern here may not show it, I believe that seeds are being sown for the future.</DIV>
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<DIV>When I was D3 VP a couple years back, I saw first hand a resurgence of sorts, adding a couple new meets and we even had Tangerine making an initial bid for a comeback, and it worked. I was pleased to hear from the guys that this year's Tangerine was successful. That's all great stuff. </DIV>
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<DIV>I think we should be looking at the national scene rather than our own back yard in this case. It would be naive to view it through rose colored glasses but we shouldn't let astigmatism rule either</DIV>
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<DIV>Happy New Year everybody</DIV>
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<DIV>MattK</DIV>
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<DIV>In a message dated 12/27/2006 7:22:11 PM Eastern Standard Time, drykert2@rochester.rr.com writes:</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rex..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> What I meant by an armchair pilot is I have not flown my planes in 3 years.. Thus have not competed at all in that time. The last 3 years I subscribed to support this SIG and try to stay in the loop in case I returned to competition. In my area which had 7 and 8 contests per year I could easily travel to and compete in has dwindled to 2 or 3 at best. Some sites that used to allow on site camping now don't. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am disturbed some of the powers that have been elected are in denial there is or has been a continuous and steady decline. Some have even been putting in print that pattern is well and growing. Well excuse me.. But quit micro managing and look at the big picture folks. If the numbers are to be accepted and believed the undeniable fact is pattern is still and continues in a decline. Many factors contribute to this decline. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am not against the raising of the dues $10.00. It does bother me the way it was announced and at the last minute. That information should have been in print in the K-Factor in Septembers issue and printed on the renewal forms. These factors all contribute to make the straw I mentioned in my 1st post on this thread. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Del <BR> nsrca - 473</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> AMA - 8928</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> kb2joi - General </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=mailto:trexlesh@msn.com href="mailto:trexlesh@msn.com">Rex LESHER</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, December 27, 2006 4:19 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] What the NSRCA does (and could do) for me</DIV>
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<DIV>None of this is a big deal to me.... I spent the equivalment of the 25% dues raise on breakfast this morning,including the tip...</DIV>
<DIV>I'm a little at a loss on the meaning of "armchair pilot".... Does that mean that you don't fly contests? If so, that would mean that</DIV>
<DIV>you pay your dues just to get the Kfactor, and sort of stay in the loop. That would also indicate that none of rules, changes in sequences,</DIV>
<DIV>or anything the least bit important to an active pattern flyer would have any affect on you....</DIV>
<DIV>Here in D8, pattern is alive and well. Considering our weather, and geographical locations for contests, we do pretty well, and I haven't heard any real complaints.... We draw a lot of flyers from Canada and California to help fill in the ranks at contests. Growth is small, but we are seeing a steady, slight increase in numbers. That's just the way it is!!! </DIV>
<DIV>Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being an "armchair pilot", I'm just having a problem with understanding your complaint... I spend thousands of dollars on planes, and around $500 per contest on travel expenses. If I go to the Nats, that's about 6000 miles, and two weeks of</DIV>
<DIV>time and money... $10 extra for helping the hobby I hold so dear is sort of like the time I lose out of my life during a sneeze!!!!</DIV>
<DIV>Look at it this way, pay the ten extra bucks, it allows you to complain on the list... It also gives people like me the opportunity to jump on it like a rabid dog!!!</DIV>
<DIV>I, for one, am very supportive of all the people that have always donated their time and efforts towards running the NSRCA.... They are taking time out of their lives to make "our" lives a little better. They actually do have our best interests at heart, and if all they are asking for is $10 dollars extra a year, I'm not going to question it. If I do, I better be prepared to jump in and help.... For what it's worth.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rex Lesher</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>From:</B> <A title=mailto:drykert2@rochester.rr.com href="mailto:drykert2@rochester.rr.com">Del K. Rykert</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org href="mailto:nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, December 27, 2006 10:39 AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] What the NSRCA does (and could do) for me</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV> Even with all the ingenious ideas, membership, pattern attendance and <BR>contests have shrunk the last few years. It would also seem time to trim the <BR>budget and some line items in the organization. I would think the majority <BR>of members would prefer at least a 2 or 3 month notice that a dues increase <BR>was coming. Was it only decided by the board in December to raise the dues? <BR>This last minute notification gives some the impression no one is minding <BR>the store.<BR> A 25% dues increase is a big jump. This armchair pilot says it is the <BR>final straw.<BR><BR> Del<BR> nsrca - 473</BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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