[NSRCA-dist1] D1 at the NATs

[Snaproll4 at aol.com]

This is an excellent idea.  There are no contests right before the  NATS 
and besides, no one wants to risk their #1 airplane.  Perhaps a  central site 
could be picked like Sayre.  This would be a day trip or at  worst a one 
night stay.  This could happen the first week of July so we  could go home and 
practice.  In order to have only one plane in the air  at a time, we might 
have to limit these sessions to a certain number of  pilots.  Binghamton is 
about 3 hours for us from Western New York.  I  think watching other people 
practice, while not in a contest setting, would  be an eye opener.
 
I think the thrust of Dave's e-mail was about not bringing your "A"  game.  
I know I can fly better than I have at the NATS.  Perhaps that  could be 
the goal.
 
What really scares me is 10 people critiquing my flying.  I might just  
pack up, go home and skip the NATS.
 
Steve Miller
 
 
In a message dated 8/8/2009 6:08:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
schale at optonline.net writes:

I think  there are several factors.  
In order to compete at that level  especially in the higher classes it 
takes an enormous amount of dedication,  (and practice time).  Not too many have 
that dedication and time.  I  suspect most top 10 Nats finishers are flying 
3 or 4 times a week.   
Coaching is often mentioned and is a big part of making that practice time  
profitable.  I fly by myself pattern wise.  No coaching.  While  we can 
obviously see a lot of what we are doing wrong while flying a good  coach sees 
much more.  I have learned a lot from my callers at the few  contests I have 
been able to attend.  Things that I can practice on my  own, but the 
limited access to a good caller/coach  makes it  difficult.  
Those of you that can get together and critique each  other should.  Flying 
with others lets you always try to fly better than  the other guy.  It 
helps.

We do have a shorter season but D1 has  had lots of top contenders (and 
still does)

I can call myself a "has  been"  Back in the mid 80's during the ballistic 
pattern days I did have  the drive and time it takes to get to the top of my 
class.  It was before  marriage, kids, and house.  I flew 4 times a week, 
during the mid week I  usually practiced alone.  During the weekend there 
would usually be 1 or  2 other pattern fliers there.  I flew at all of the 
contests that were  within reach and some that weren't.  Before contests and 
sometimes on non  contest weekends I would drive from LI to NJ to fly with the 
Jersey  contingent.  Norm Staub, Dean Pappas, Rick Constable, and a one or 
two  others.  All accomplished pattern fliers in their class.  Dean was  an 
excellent teacher to rest of us in the lower classes, and Dean's brother  
Larry who didn't fly competition was an excellent judge and helped  immensely.  
 A couple of times a summer Norm and I would also find  our way down to fly 
with George Asteris.  George is one of those guys who  is always two steps 
ahead of the airplane and his Nats finishes show it.   He would often say 
left or right rudder and I would think what.... Oh now I  see it :) (too late)

Although not all of us have the time it takes to  make it to the Nats 
finals, we could all benefit from a couple of friendly  "judging" sessions.  Best 
done on a non contest weekend at a central  location where 5 to 10 flyers 
get together to fly and critique each  other.  I am not sure what the maximum 
number of flyers could be so that  all would get a few flights.  A 
gathering like this would also improve  judging.  One person may point out something 
that others do not look for  etc.

Stuart C.





Dave wrote:  
 
Ok….just stirring the pot a  bit…..after talking with some guys after the 
NATs this  year. 
D1 has some good pilots and  close competition in multiple classes at 
multiple contests within the  District.  However……many years at the NATs it 
seems D1 does not bring  the “A” game?  Why not?  How can we improve?  
Different  practice routine at home?  Different practice routine at NATs?   
Different mindset?  Anything we can do different at D1 contests,  practice days, 
seminars, etc? 
Just stirring the pot, and  looking to bump up D1!!! 
Regards, 
Dave  Lockhart 
_DaveL322 at comcast.net_ (mailto:DaveL322 at comcast.net)  

 
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