<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><B> First of all I think we are a bigger influence than we think, sense I have returned to pattern, I have seen at our field more people trying new maneuvers instead of just flying in an oval and always the same way, I always go out and do coaching on maneuvers when I can, and the people that I do this with are always very impressed by what they can do, but most will never compete, I'm sure not the best flier by any means but I'm getting better, but the people at my field think I'm one of the best they have seen, there's one person at our field that has been flying for 11 years and still has to take off across the runway because he has to view from the rear, he even has a runway at his house that he fly's off of.<BR>
The point is that we will always be a small SIG, many won't compete even if you paid them, some won't compete even if every meet was at there home field, many won't because of cost, planes, travel, building, maintenance, and practice, the young guys it has always been the same get drivers license, discover girls and gone to college or career, I and I know that all of you can't count how many young guys that have been extremely good that have left by the time their 21, some young guys don't have the support of there parents, and are lucky to flying anything, let alone a specialized plane, lots of fuel and lots time. <BR>
Don't get me wrong but I think we have in place a great system as for classes, we have a better chance than IMAC, because of size and price of models (not a slam just the truth) our planes are easier to carry and can be done for a reasonable price, as for age groups, I was talking to Dr. friend the other day about the age issue, and he says that there is no physiological documentation that shows that a 70 year old couldn't be on the World team, 55 so there may be hope.<BR>
Gone to practice.<BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial Baltic" LANG="0"><I> Steve Maxwell</B></I></FONT></HTML>