<HTML><BODY STYLE="font:10pt verdana; border:none;"><DIV>Gray</DIV> <DIV>Yes, we hold contests and we use this to get guys interested in pattern. There are variations of the SPA around the country. The idea is to do this without a big expense. The older style planes happen to be cheaper, so it is easier to get people interested. I helped 2 guys, fly SPA novice this past weekend, that were flying U-CAN DO planes from Great Planes, I believe. Yes the bottom line is to fly. Sooner or later they will win, if they stick with it.</DIV> <DIV>We have held AMA and SPA contests together and that makes for long days and tired people. I flew in both classes and that was a lot of work, not fun. So, there's no benefit in combining the two at one contest. There are a lot of good ideas out here today on how to improve the participation. I'm speaking of a way that works for us.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Jim Ivey</DIV> <DIV> </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; COLOR: black"><B>From:</B> Gray E Fowler</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, July 28, 2003 4:34 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial"><B>To:</B> discussion@nsrca.org</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: NEW concept? for pattern entry.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Jim</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>But is that not what the SPA is already? Right now in Texas it is difficult to get 6 rounds in the day and a half that we fly. Adding 6 more contestants in one or any of the existing classes really will not impact the ability to get 6 rounds. Operating a totally new class will. Does the SPA not hold contests? I am unaware of what the SPA is doing as I have not been exposed to it in this area. What does 402 have in it that these planes cannot do? Are we talking about flying or are we talking about winning?</FONT> <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Gray</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> One problem that exists in AMA pattern is the high expense of being competitive. I don't know how many times I hear, it is too expensive. I could take a Kaos and fly the advanced pattern, but I wouldn't be part of the crowd. The idea we are talking about is taking a cheaper route and being competitive. It just so happens that the past lends itself to this idea very well. The planes are still plentiful and they are cheap enough. The bottom line is, the competition and fun is the same. The first AMA contest I attended I flew the SPA Daddy Rabbit designed by Jim Whitely. I progressed to a T2A Mk IV.</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I think all we are saying is, get people interested the easiest way and the rest is a piece of cake.</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Jim Ivey</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2><BR><BR><BR><BR>Gray Fowler<BR>Principal Chemical Engineer<BR>Composites Engineering</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>