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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>well said and written John. i agree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>mike <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces@lists.nsrca.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>John
Konneker<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 19, 2012 4:26 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Discussion List<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Future of Pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>John,<br>
Thank you for the thoughtful post.<br>
JLK<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:38:25 -0600<br>
From: jgghome@comcast.net<br>
To: nsrca-discussion@lists.nsrca.org<br>
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Future of Pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Apparently
we can discuss the pros and cons of a new weight rule til hell freezes over
without anyone changing their mind. I would like to share with you how I
converted from from a no weight change advocate to someone pushing for an
increase. I have always felt that most of the past increases in cost were due
to rule changes on noise, on turnaround, on engine sizes, for some examples.
While this is a factor, there are others at work. Inflation and improved
quality of the equipment are also major factors. I’m also not convinced that it
really costs that much more in terms of percentage of your takehome income to
compete than it did in the old days. However there is a large increase in other
activities, both in the hobby and without, competing for your dollars. Another
point is that all those potentially expensive rule changes were initiated by
the FAI and incorporated by the AMA. So I came to the conclusion that we could
make adjustments to AMA rules without upsetting the apple cart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br>
The main reason for change is that the status quo is not working. Pattern has
changed from the central focus of many clubs and many flyers to being a small
niche in both clubs and the marketplace. It used to be that club sport flyers
that never attended a contest still built and flew simply constructed Balsa or
balsa and foam pattern planes. This is gone. Even considering the modern
equivalents of these planes such as the Excelleron and others, most are now out
of production and not being replaced by new kits/ARFs. Just ask any
manufacturer about the importance of pattern in their marketing plans. Ask Jon
Bruml who sells ads in the K-Factor. I'm not privy to the figures but I suspect
even the topline radios that we consider ours, sell better for IMAC, Helis and
jets. Time was, your club members were interested in your new
radio/model/motor/engine. Now they just say “smooth flying model” and ask about
the weather.<br>
<br>
The point is that we are now a bit player and in all probability will never
occupy center stage again. See a lot of action in the modeling press about last
years WC? Get real. Nobody else cares and we are all getting older and slower,
dying off one by one and being replaced by only a few and most of those are in
their forties. See the graph below? It shows a slow decline in membership dues
and it gets worse the further back you go. While the NSRCA membership decline
is not conclusive proof that pattern is declining in this country, I am
convinced that they are related. What I see in contest attendance in the west
is a steady decline over the last couple of decades and is a confirmation of
the NSRCA numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br>
<br>
So what should the NSRCA and the pattern community do? Maintain the status
quo? I believe I've made a case that it's not working. Can we do
something to get back on center stage? Very unlikely. Can we do something to
move from a dying niche in the hobby to a growing niche? Perhaps.<br>
As a first step the NSRCA board has made rules proposals with the <u>intent</u>
of increasing safety and making it easier/cheaper to participate. Will these
rule changes have the desired effect? I believe so but they are not a complete
answer by any means. We need more participation and more ideas not more
accusations about our “hidden agendas” and “flawed surveys”. Apparently we've
gored a few oxen in our proposals. I suggest everyone back off a bit and
support the only group that is trying to move forward. I understand that there
may be unwanted consequences along with the wanted ones. I doubt it but even so
rules can be rolled back in two years.<br>
<br>
There are a lot of very smart people out there on this list involved in precision
aerobatics and we really need to be putting our heads together for ideas on how
to grow. Right now it looks like we only know how to tear each other down.
There has been a lot of emotion out there on these rules proposals, lets apply
it in a more positive direction. I urge everyone to support these proposals now
and to stay engaged with us on what to do next. The NSRCA is always open to
ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>John
Gayer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________ NSRCA-discussion mailing list
NSRCA-discussion@lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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