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Tony - thanks for the clarification. <BR>
<BR>
Here's my train of thought -which led to looking at the numbers I sent -<BR>
<BR>From the time I was a kid in the 60's I used to read about National Champ's where anyone could go to the Nats who wanted to. And that was really cool. I also remember, as an R/C enthusiast and Pattern wannabe driving long distances to places like Seguin, TX and Westover, MA just to be at the Nats for a little while, and maybe see some great flying. <BR>
<BR>
That was a real kick for me - just to be there while the contest was happening. --and to be able to compete that was a whole new level of high! <BR>
<BR>The ability for anyone to go and compete in the Nats seems like a tremendous 'plus' for Pattern. Conversely, if there are qualification 'gates', then that closes off another possible attraction of Pattern, and makes the Nats just another dis-incentive for a guy considering flying Pattern - or continuing to fly Pattern. <BR>
<BR>
The whole idea of 'qualifiers' seems to be a path to limiting Nats attendance - yes? Is that not the main idea of the <BR>
<BR>
And if we're talking about limiting Nats participation, then I assumed that there are 'too many' (by some measure) guys attending the Nats. If there aren't 'too many' guys attending the Nats, then why is there a discussion about qualifiying or limiting attendance? <BR>
<BR>
If I've misunderstood the thrust of the conversation, I apologize, but believe strongly that there's a good reason to keep the Nats open to all. If anything we should be working to get out 'rain day' back to prevent guys in some future Nats from driving a loooong way, only to have a day of rain wipe out theit finals.... <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Thanks- <BR>
Rick <BR><BR><BR>
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From: tony@radiosouthrc.com<BR>To: nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:02:43 -0500<BR>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rule 8.1.1/Prefer No Qualification<BR><BR>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I guess I don’t understand. How does the NATS effect the demise of pattern? The NATS is a national championships. If we have 400 or 20, how does that lead to the increase or demise? </SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">All I am discussion is the WAY that we run the NATS. </SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">JUST FOR THE RECORD… This is NOT on the table as a projected change for the NATS for any time in the future. This is just a discussion topic on how the Nats COULD be changed. </SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoAutoSig><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy">Tony Stillman, President</SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoAutoSig><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy">1-800-962-7802</SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; 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>Rick Wallace<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Monday, April 30, 2007 12:47 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> NSRCA Mailing List<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rule 8.1.1/Prefer No Qualification</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Agree with Ron, Mike Hester and others. What's broken here? What's the problem we're trying to fix? <BR>For the record, Nats attendance from 1995-2006 has been dropping in all classes except Masters - trend line shows: (based on Nats attendance information from Don Ramsey's website)<BR>Sportsman/ Intermediate trends DOWN from 21 to about 16<BR>Advanced trends DOWN from 22 to about 19<BR>Masters trends UP from abot 36 to about 41<BR>FAI trends DOWN from about 39 to about 25 <BR> <BR>So why are we discussing qualifiers? If anything we should be discussing how to prevent the demise of Pattern? <BR> <BR>My $.02<BR>Rick <BR>NSRCA 2972<BR><BR></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From: ronlock@comcast.net<BR>To: nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:13:06 +0000<BR>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rule 8.1.1/Prefer No Qualification</SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Whatever we are "fixing" with a NATS qualification system, doesn't seem worth</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">the number of things that get broken by the qualification process.</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">Ron Lockhart</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: Gray E Fowler <gfowler@raytheon.com> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">Tony</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">I think any kind of qualifications for the NATS is a bad idea, for several reasons. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">1. For 99.9% of us this is a hobby. We can call it a sport, but its a hobby. Why? Because 99.9% of us work a real job, and very very few make any money from participation in this hobby. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">2. Elevate the stature of the NATS? To who? The Canadians? The Mexicans? The Anti AMA organization who does not have a NATS? We have a "Worlds" and it requires qualification, so in essence this is already what you are asking for. Right now anyone who goes to the NATS has a higher (false) stature at the local level anyway.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=s! size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 's�!'">3. Because it is a hobby, with contests run by hobbyist, and most AMA people are volunteers, I cannot imagine how in the world the AMA or NSRCA could ever organize and execute and fair qualification system. I derive this opinion based on the "many" (sarcasm) people within both the AMA and NSRCA that line up at nomination time to serve as an officer. Local AMA clubs, AMA regional reps, and especially the NSRCA has a hard time finding anyone to do day to day work. If you volunteer to be nominated, you can almost be assured that you can be President.... Heck the NSRCA is so loaded with politics that officers quit in the middle of terms, and people execute personal agendas both in the rules formation and even personal aspects at the NATS. AMA and NSRCA should only promote to increase participation.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">4. There are some who may only attend the NATS and do well and even win. Why would we want to make them a! ttend l ocal stuff to qualify when they do not need it. This applies mostly the top FAI guys. They do not need the local level to excel, and they can step in at the NATS and kick eveyone's butt. Why inconvienience them from their job, family or whatever? If they can show up at the NATS and win is that not still getting the best?</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">5. Last-I used to be much more involved with pattern than I am now. My kids are of the age that it is more important to spend time doing their activities than mine, as they will be gone before I realize it. I cannot make 6-7 contests (in 6 months) like I used to, and making the NATS is tough too, but if I did decide that I could make the NATS, the last thing I would want to worry about is having to make 3 contests in a row to "qualify" for the NATS. Actually this point is the same as #1-its a HOBBY. Those whom want different move up to FAI and "qualify" for the Worlds.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans! size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'sans�!'">A suggestion.....</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">Start with the FAI USA team. Why does that selection contest allow whomever wants to show up fly at that contest? Implement a qualification sytem for the USA team selection contest first. The Semi-Pros (not so sure we have 100% "pros" anywhere) in these ranks should love it, because then those top 6 (who are we kidding... it may only be 5 who truly have a chance) nationwide flyers going for those 3 spots do not have to sit thru 3 days of wannabe FAI schmoes.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">I cannot imagine that a qualification system would do anything but hurt NATS attendence. I do not understand the point of it at all. The NAT is not overloaded. I agree that it is not bad to discuss anything, but if you really think this is a #1 priority topic (I have not seen any others tossed out there), then I think it shows your personal disconnect with the AMA pattern community,402,403,404. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><BR><BR>< FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Signed, <BR><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif">Peace, Love and Smarter Missiles.........</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif"><BR><BR>Gray Fowler<BR>Senior Principal Chemical Engineer<BR>Radomes and Specialty Apetures<BR>Technical Staff Composites Engineering<BR>Raytheon</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> </SPAN></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE>
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<P class=EC_MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">--Forwarded Message Attachment--<BR>From: gfowler@raytheon.com<BR>To: nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rule 8.1.1<BR>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:21:39 +0000</SPAN></FONT></P><PRE><FONT face="Courier New" size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">_______________________________________________<BR>
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