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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>As usual Grey... spot on. Ditto on point #
5.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Wayne</FONT></DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gfowler@raytheon.com href="mailto:gfowler@raytheon.com">Gray E
Fowler</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=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> Monday, April 30, 2007 11:20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Rule
8.1.1</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Tony</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>I think any kind of qualifications for the NATS is a
bad idea, for several reasons. </FONT><BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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. </FONT><BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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.</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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.</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>4. There are some who may only attend the NATS and do
well and even win. Why would we want to make them attend local 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?</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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.</FONT> <BR><BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif
size=2>A suggestion.....</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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.</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>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.
</FONT><BR><BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Signed,</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>Peace, Love and Smarter Missiles.........</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><BR><BR>Gray Fowler<BR>Senior Principal
Chemical Engineer<BR>Radomes and Specialty Apetures<BR>Technical Staff
Composites Engineering<BR>Raytheon</FONT>
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