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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have another theory that I definitely am not
proclaiming to be 100% correct, but it might be worth
consideration.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The 80% who didn't vote are in pattern (and by
being members of NSRCA they are even more dedicated pattern pilots than average)
for a chance to challenge themselves. They can set a very difficult goal
that is attainable, and they realize this. It is this that makes pattern
worth their time and money. In specific reference to the weight change
poll, they either fly a plane that is under 11lbs, or have never gone to a
contest where they can't fly because their plane is over the limit. The
other questions on the survey, like which pattern should be voted in, were seen
by the members as a non-issue; whether they do a stall turn with 3/4 up and 3/4
down or a half Cuban with 2/2 does not matter, because both are difficult to
perfect but possible to improve. For these 80% the results of the survey
do not matter.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The 20% who did vote feel they can help pattern or
help themselves by changing/affecting the change in the rules. They think
dropping the weight limit will increase pattern popularity, bring in new pilots
to socialize and compete with, and make pattern stronger. Or, they think
they are better at the half Cuban with 2/2 schedule so they vote for it (usually
making up some BS about 'it looks better' or 'flows nicer.' All patterns
look nice and flow nice, and if they don't you aren't doing a good job flying
it).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Again looking specifically at the results of the
weight change poll, I suspect the minority voted that way because of one of two
things: bring in more pilots to pattern, or save themselves some money/time on
making their plane lighter. I suspect the majority thought that raising
the weight limit would do nothing but slow down and obscure (possibly with a new
generation of airplanes that were a tad better than what we fly now, possibly
with a flock of uncommitted yahoos playing by a new set of rules while he is
stuck with equipment that used to be good) their very reason for flying
pattern.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It has also been mentioned that many people did not
care either way, and those who did voted - if they voted for the losing side
then they had their chance, and if they voted for the winning side then they got
what they wanted. Game, set, match. I am voicing my opinion (and
kicking a dead but stinky carcass), instead of voting, because I am not an
AMA member, and thus not allowed to vote (on rules that actually do affect me,
because MAAC tends to just copy-pastes the AMA rules).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Adam Glatt</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<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=RUDDERCABL@aol.com
href="mailto:RUDDERCABL@aol.com">RUDDERCABL@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> November 17, 2002 10:25 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Weight is not the
issue!</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">In a message dated 11/17/2002 8:49:24 PM Eastern Standard
Time, <A
href="mailto:buddybrammer35@hotmail.com">buddybrammer35@hotmail.com</A>
writes:<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"
TYPE="CITE">If the intrest is such that we only have 20% of those flying
pattern who vote then how in the world are we going to get those outside of
pattern to try it? As I said before it is up to those in pattern to use
every means possible to maintain the intrest of those already flying
pattern</BLOCKQUOTE>.</FONT><FONT lang=0 style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"
face=Arial color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR></FONT><FONT lang=0 style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff"
face=Arial color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">I don't have any numbers to
prove what I am about to say , but I will throw this out anyway just as food
for thought. <BR><BR>My theory here is that probably only 20% ( if that
many ) of pattern flyers ever attend the Nats. Could it be that the ones (
give or take a few percent either way ) who go to the trouble of being active
enough to attend the Nats are also the ones who care enough to vote in the
survey ? <BR><BR>The 20% who submitted the survey are the 20% who are
dedicated to pattern. They are the flyers who are at the majority of contest
on a regular basis. The other 80% are the ones who only attend a few contest a
year and don't care becouse it doesn't really matter to them.
<BR><BR>All of us , from time to time and for various reasons become more or
less active in this hobby. Twenty percent is probably just about right for any
hobby or activity to have a dedicated core. The other eighty percent float in
and out in various degrees of activity when it suits them.<BR><BR>As I have
said before , todays society offers far to many distractions to expect
participation by a large percentage of individuals . " You can lead a horse to
water but you can't make him drink " as the saying goes .<BR><BR>Weight
is the issue here . You have said many times on this forum that we needed a
weight increase to help stimulate interest in pattern . Now you say that we
need to get pattern flyers more interested in making the rules. Sorry ,I read
that as meaning changing the rules . <BR><BR>I tend to believe that those
outside of any activity that they may have some interest in becoming a part of
,view stability of the rules of the game ,as a factor in what they <BR>decide
to do. Our continued arguing over the rules will only hurt pattern down the
road .<BR><BR>Troy Newman has reminded us all what the procedure is to change
the rules . In one respect , we are fortunate that we even have the right to
do so. Many sports and activities have sanctioning bodies that make the rules
for them without input from the contestants . Save your arguments for
the next rules cycle , then use the rules we have in place to make the changes
you wish . Till then , go burn some fuel !<BR><BR>Robert Gainey
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