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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sportsman, and the same class by previous names
including Novice, and even Pre-Novice, was created by the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>pattern community to provide an entry level, less
complex, path to trying out a pattern event. Those classes
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>are "Provisional" </FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2>classes. </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>That is, not an official
AMA Pattern class, but a specifically intended to be </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"entry" class, or "try it out" class.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There was never any intent to deprive or
limit the "Sportsman" pilot. The Spirit and intent and Spirit of
the class was, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>and is, to provide </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>a
way into the pattern community for newcomers. The lessor complexity of the
schedule, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>and box exits </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>are
part of that package. The "Provisional" status of Sportsman is why it is
not offered at the NATs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It seems this information should be published more
often- it's in the pattern rules, para 7. Para 7 also
references </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>the Supplemental and Provisional Rules, page
2. That could use an update. It should probably say, the
AMA Competiton Rules, General Section, Supplemental and Provisional Rules, page
4.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ron Lockhart</FONT></DIV>
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