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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Maybe a little history is in order. For a good
number of years the AMA classes were Sportsman, Advanced, Expert, Masters -
with Masters being FAI-F3A. The point system was used to define the time to
"move-up", the difficulty procession was well established, and Masters was
the destination class. Novice was then added as an "introductory" class to try
and induce folks with an interest into trying pattern. All was well!
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then F3A introduced the "turn-around" pattern and
all blazes broke loose! How dare the world try to tell us what our beloved
pattern should be (never mind the fact that the chairman of the organization
that devised turn-around was one of us - the US rep). Things were in kayos for
several years, lots of arguments were presented for totally abandoning
F3A, but eventually AMA patterns adopted the turn-around scheme. However, F3A
became something of an orphan in the minds of many. Masters became the top AMA
class for which points advancement was required, and Expert was dropped.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Along the line it was decided that the name Novice
was menial or degrading somehow, so the introductory class was renamed Sportsman
and Sportsman was renamed Intermediate. And here we are, Sportsman,
Intermediate, Advanced, Masters. But wait - F3A is also an AMA Precision
Aerobatics Class - check the rules, AMA class 406 is an official AMA class that
uses the FAI -F3A rules. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This thread contains logical and emotional
statements. We all tend to be defensive of our positions and often our view
points are quite different. Remember that, even world wide, we're a pretty small
group of dedicate folks doing something very important to us, but relatively
unimportant to everyone else. It would seem in our best interest to work
together to ensure that pattern folks with different goals and talents can enjoy
pattern and pattern competitions. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What we now have is pretty good! We in the US have
a pattern class structure that allows progression with improvement
of skills. The system provides for a measure of when folks should move on
to the next class and it provides for those who don't progress as fast to stay
in a comfortable class. The NSRCA is a forum to discuss ideas and measure
preferences which then can be recommended to the AMA Contest Board for further
consideration and implementation. Of course varied views provide for continuing
discussion of what is or should have been. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What could we do better? From my view, we (NSRCA)
should be more active in the F3A rules process. We (USA) have a representative
on the F3A Subcommittee that defines the rules and pattern sequences. We would
be served by ensuring our rep understands our views. Sequence proposals
would be very welcome from the US. Nope - we can't totally control what the
FAI/F3A governing body does, but we can (and have been in the past) a big part
of it. How does this help the "AMA" pattern? Just consistency of rules and
judging parameters would help ensure accurate judging at events using contestant
judging - just think, no need for judges briefings outlining the differences.
</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wouldn't pattern be better if we envisioned it as
a world wide activity? Recognizing a need for consistent world wide rules that
could (and probably should) be "adjusted" to meet the desires and needs of the
AMA classes seems a better approach that an us vs. them position.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>OK - I'm a F3A guy - sorry, but I pointed out of
Expert into Masters 30 years ago (F3A at the time) and I'm staying. I do think
that the class difficulty increments were better back then. Essentially 3
classes to prepare for Masters. Now there are only two, Intermediate &
Advanced. As others have pointed out - as Masters is designed to provide the
degree of difficulty desired of a "destination" class and the schedule must be
changed frequently to keep it "fresh" - the gap with Advanced is often large.
It's also very small or non-existent between Masters and F3A. Increasing the
difficulty of Advanced appears counter productive. One way to fix this may
be to look to the past - tailor Masters as a stepping stone between
Advanced and F3A (yeah - I'd change the names back to Expert and Masters - but
that's just me), making Masters less of a demanding class where folks could be
comfortable if time and/or talent didn't endear them to move on. The F3A Prelim
sequences can easily be flown by anyone competitive in Masters, sure the Final
sequences are a challenge - but isn't that what this whole game is
about?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So - can things be made better for the average
competitor? Probably, but it takes agreement within a diverse group that may be
slow to come - but that's the way the process works. Hmmm - not any different in
the F3A camp, I've been arguing for a half point scoring rule for around 20
years, not giving up yet!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</FONT></DIV>
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<BLOCKQUOTE
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=twtaylor@ftc-i.net href="mailto:twtaylor@ftc-i.net">twtaylor</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, August 13, 2007 2:47
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Stirring
up the Masters2009Sequencediscussionagain...</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This is why they
should have left Expert in the mix. I understand the reasoning to drop a class
and all that. There is a some what of a simple solution that I’m sure will
rankle a lot of feathers and that is to make FAI an AMA class and a POINT
INTO<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Class. Rename
Masters to Expert and soften the sequence so going from Advance to (Expert) to
FAI so it has a good flow. Problem cured.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV>
<DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2>
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P class=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>BUDDYonRC@aol.com<BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Monday, August 13, 2007 2:23
PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B>
nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Stirring
up the Masters
2009Sequencediscussionagain...</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Glen<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I agree and also
think the advanced schedule was softened to much to be a stepping stone to
masters. The present Advanced pattern was designed accommodate the move
from Intermediate to Advanced.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The current Advanced
schedule will keep the interest up through Advanced but may result in
loosing pilots unless they are allowed to stay in Advanced, which as it is
now<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Designed is a poor
stepping stone to Masters.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A smoother
transition upward almost seems like it would require another class between
Advanced and Masters<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It seems like
we have two types of contestants, all having a true interest and dedication to
the sport but one group lacks the basic tools to progress up the
ladder as it is now designed.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My observations
indicate that this is one of the reasons we are loosing
members.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">People who are
competitive will compete as long as there is an attainable goal when that goal
becomes to big a step or they or forced to move to a class that is above their
ability or one that requires more time or equipment than what is available
they move on to something that will more nearly suit their circumstances and
still satisfy their desire to participate and
be competitive.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">We have seen this
many times in our own group when people move to FAI and then move back to
masters because of one of the above examples.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Where do
those who are located in a lower class
go? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My
observation as I mentioned before is somewhere
else.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Perhaps it
is time to think about this and design some options that
will maintain the interest of those who fall into that group and
keep them from moving on. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Buddy <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><FONT face=Arial color=black
size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR><BR><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV>
<DIV class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-TOP: 7.5pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><FONT face=Arial color=black size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=2>
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-TOP: 7.5pt"><FONT face=Arial color=black
size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Get a
sneak peek of the all-new <A
title=http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour/?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000982
href="http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour/?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000982"
target=_blank>AOL.com</A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
<P></P>_______________________________________________<BR>NSRCA-discussion
mailing
list<BR>NSRCA-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<BR>http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion</BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>