<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1170" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We have all endured the longest thread know to
mankind, and following that, what should we do? Here's my
thoughts:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. The "perception" of pattern
flyers is a result of pattern flyers going to the field with a purpose - to
practice. Properly handled, it's not an affront to sport flyers.
It's just that we don't want to just sit around and talk for a few hours while
maybe putting up a flight or two. They take this to mean that we don't
want to associate with them......ask one of them to call for you....even though
you don't need it.....they will have a better feel for what you are trying to
accomplish.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Most sport flyers would
welcome the opportunity to fly a precision aerobatic aircraft. Offer
it. Use a trainer cord. They will be amazed at how good the planes
fly, and that we aren't as good as we look sometimes!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Local clubs can get it all
going by having a Sunday afternoon aerobatic contest that uses very basic
maneuvers without turnarounds and without all the associated pressures of a
sanctioned contest. Cover the basics of lines, rolls, and loops.
Done in a relaxed manner, many members of the club might be intrigued to pursue
improvement.....practice....and look to develop the precision needed to
participate in a sanctioned event. Be sure to give out trophies.......that
might be the thing that gets someone going, and they are so cheap. Maybe
the NSRCA could put a format together and send to all local clubs via the
AMA??</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4. Immediately dispel the myth of
cost. Except for the well-worn trainer 40's, anyone flying model airplanes
have enough disposable income to participate, enjoy it, and not see dollar signs
flying by them at the field. If nothing else, point out the number of
flights we are getting in a season from our equipment.......really cheap when
you do the math.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>5. Invite people to a locally
sanctioned contest - maybe after a few afternoons of success at the local club
Sunday event, and seeing that we really have fun doing this, they will
want to try it. Be sure to point out that it's not necessary to have a
"pattern plane" to participate at the entry levels.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>6. CD a contest in your
area. If this isn't going on, then the circle is broken. You have to
really be hooked to travel a few hundred miles, get a room, etc., etc..... this
simply isn't going to happen for a typical first contest for most people.
I think that this might be the single biggest thing holding everything up.... I
would like to see more contests with the typical turnout, as opposed to a huge
turnout at a few. Haven't we all come to expect six rounds??</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>7. Continue to develop a system
that recognizes and rewards age in our sport. If indeed it's a sport, it's
sure the only one that doesn't! Our need for new flyers, however,
transcends this one element of the sport. People that talk about "the
kids" were kids themselves..... the industry in general really needs the young
folks, too. The ARF thing should help the kids so used to immediate
results - I always refer to our hobby as the "ultimate video
game".... kids really love that. Maybe there should be a reward system for
kids, too...??</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>8. Have a companion that supports
your efforts. This is the one we can't do anything about for other folks,
but is probably this single most important of all. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lots of thoughts, very few answers, but a
continuation of a very worthwhile discussion.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bill
Pritchett<BR>765-744-9322</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>