<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV>
<P>Gray</P>
<P>Who you calling an old Fart?</P>
<P>Buddy<BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: "Gray E Fowler" <GFOWLER@RAYTHEON.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: discussion@nsrca.org
<DIV></DIV>>To: discussion@nsrca.org
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: RE: K-Factor Pattern an invisible group
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 13:41:27 -0600
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Jim
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>The stuff describing your patent club reasons for not flying pattern are
<DIV></DIV>>nearly identical to what I hear in the Dallas area. Club members have
<DIV></DIV>>standard answers and most of them no matter what you say will ever change
<DIV></DIV>>their mind. I reckon it to a discussion about religion, people will talk,
<DIV></DIV>>complain etc but rarely if EVER change religions because of something they
<DIV></DIV>>were told. I too put up with "bull" surrounding the fact that I fly
<DIV></DIV>>pattern at a "stick" club. Once in a while if give them grief back, and
<DIV></DIV>>hence the saying "pattern stuck up attitude". I should keep my mouth shut.
<DIV></DIV>>I am also my club president so at our meetings it is open season on
<DIV></DIV>>"pattern" simply because I fly it. I have heard some very rude remarks.
<DIV></DIV>>So! My strategy is "Screw the old club farts". I concentrate on a fresh,
<DIV></DIV>>un poisioned person, like the guy who posted a "beginner" thread earlier
<DIV></DIV>>this week, Keith Black. Had he joined the club before meeting me and had
<DIV></DIV>>listened to the crap flying behind me while I am flying, he may have never
<DIV></DIV>>considered talking to me due to me being too stuck up. Instead, he met me
<DIV></DIV>>first, asked incredible questions for a guy who had never flown pattern,
<DIV></DIV>>and is well on his way to being a great pattern pilot! I make a point when
<DIV></DIV>>I see a new face to introduce myself and let them know what pattern is,
<DIV></DIV>>and that it is NOT what the old club farts will soon be spewing-as soon as
<DIV></DIV>>my wheels are up.
<DIV></DIV>>The fact that the survey mentions no local support I do believe is legit.
<DIV></DIV>>Lance and I were the only pattern flyers for a long time(at the RRCC), but
<DIV></DIV>>as we pick up a few guys here and there people see that it is interesting
<DIV></DIV>>and in fact we are the largest group of guys doing the same thing in the
<DIV></DIV>>club. The combat guys have 2-3 we now have 5-6 alot of time all working
<DIV></DIV>>with each other just before a contest. This REALLY helps our image.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I t is funny that as low of an opinion that I have for various types of
<DIV></DIV>>flying, and the associated personalities behind such garbage
<DIV></DIV>>planes/flying/attitudes
<DIV></DIV>>I keep it to myself until just now...for the most part. BUT the old club
<DIV></DIV>>farts have GOT to let me know WHATS WRONG WITH FLYING PATTERN. And the
<DIV></DIV>>real funny thing is they have never flown pattern, never practiced
<DIV></DIV>>pattern, never been to a pattern contest.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Such is the burden we bear. Gene-are you gonna vomit?
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Gray Fowler
<DIV></DIV>>Principal Chemical Engineer
<DIV></DIV>>Composites Engineering
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