<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Great discussion, too bad its been talked
about 1000 times. The good ole days are gone and 2M planes rule.
I think Mike H is dead right when he states that the sportsman that
finds some kind of 2M plane is the guy that comes back. There are 1001
reasons, excuses, what ever NOT to get past flying a Kaos, and once in
a while that reason is $$$, but mostly I think the reasons are fear of
not being able to compete. Once a Sportsman does well he looks up and realizes
how tough 402 is....from the people- not the planes. There are so many
used 2M planes that are reasonable that the owners cannot get rid of them.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Some people will take to pattern, most
will not. Changing the rules will not help. Next time you go to your local
field, show up without flying and just watch and listen to your fellow
club members. Watch HOW they fly, listen to their discussions. This is
what they WANT to do. It is much more fun for them to be the guy who shows
a newbie how to start and adjust that blue OS 0.40 engine than it is to
actually practice flying. Remember that guy when you were new?...you though
he was the best flyer at the field. That guy is KING of his club and now
you want him to come to a Pattern contest so he can be shown how poor his
skills really are...just like he is at work and life?</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">You gotta understand the mindset of
the local club member to understand why they are not interested in pattern.
Most times when I fly during a nice day=lots of club members around, a
few yell critique at me while I am flying. "Egg shape", "crooked"
and other useful and helpful hints. It does not bother me and I know why
they do it. Once you figure this out you will know who actually is a candidate
for pattern.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">If someone really wants to fly pattern,
he will, no matter what the size of the plane, engine blah blah. Spend
your energy recognizing and cultivating that <b>rare</b> club member that
actually is interested in precision flying. On top of all this accept the
fact pattern is not for everyone, and the local club member has many things
to choose from. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><br>
<br>
<br>
Gray Fowler<br>
Senior Principal Chemical Engineer<br>
Radome and Composites Engineering<br>
Raytheon</font>