<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Mike makes interesting points. Yes, I've flown in the Mint Julep, Effingham, and Austin contests with 70 to 100 contestants. Too many flight lines, too few rounds, some even shortened the patterns. All went away due to overcrowding by contestants and too much work for the hosts. I also belonged to a club of 20 fliers that had 17 enter the Nats, talk about practice time crunch!<BR>
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On the other hand, we need to maintain a healthy level of interest. During my 30 years of pattern flying I've observed the concentration of pattern competitors move about the country. Economic issues, field issues, contest host interest all seem to drive this. We need to retain numbers in high interest areas while developing interest in others. Doing this would lessen travel to meets, make for good competition, and probably result in really large numbers at the Nats.<BR>
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Generally this discussion has focused on generating new blood. That's good if it's done without changing the game. Let's not make pattern into sport flying to attract sport fliers. Dumbing down pattern won't work. How many putt-putt golfers try the real thing? Pattern flying should be encouraged and <B>learned</B> at the practice field. Contests are for competitors of different skill levels, not uninformed beginners.<BR>
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We also need to consider means of keeping the crop of competitors that have reached an age where pattern skills become less competitive. In many cases the younger enthusiast will compete well, then run into family and career priorities for his/her time, and take leave of pattern. The more mature folks come back but are often discouraged by degrading physical abilities. We need to keep them! <BR>
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I really like the notion of some form of award for the old folks. It could be by class, or high point over all classes, or a percentage score bonus based on age. I will tell you that us old guys that burn 50+ gallons of fuel getting ready for the Nats are dedicated, and we enjoy every minute of it, but recognize that we're sometimes wasting the judges time competing in major meets. That wouldn't be the case if we were chasing the challenge among our peers.<BR>
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Earl Haury</FONT></HTML>