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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All of this discussion is very good indeed!
You will all be happy to know that the NSRCA Board discussed these very issues,
and are now looking for feedback. This is the perfect place for it, and
some great (and probably some not-so-great) ideas have come out.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I applaud Eric Henderson for getting this
discussion started and staying with it. Be sure that the District VP's are
all VERY INTERESTED in the outcome of this discussion.....</FONT></DIV><FONT
face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><BR>Keep the ideas flowing guys!</DIV>
<DIV></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Tony Stillman<BR>Radio South<BR>3702 N. Pace Blvd.<BR>Pensacola, FL
32505<BR>1-800-962-7802<BR><A
href="http://www.radiosouthrc.com">www.radiosouthrc.com</A></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=EHaury@aol.com href="mailto:EHaury@aol.com">EHaury@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> Tuesday, July 29, 2003 10:12
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: NEW concept? for pattern
entry.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">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><BR>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><BR>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><BR>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><BR>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><BR>Earl Haury</FONT>
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