<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT COLOR="#800040" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SCRIPT" FACE="Comic Sans MS" LANG="0">I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the thought that a senior class would be the savior of the pattern community. Lets view a senior class as a way to keep our best story tellers involved in our sport. Let them fly what they bring, fly the same sequences as the rest of us, and when the final scores are tallied.......award a trophy to best scoring senior within their respective classes.<BR>
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I personally feel pattern will, once again, become a very popular event. The efforts of current flyers to attract new blood through help and encouragement at the local club level and even possibly a little stick time on that latest wizbang ship of yours will lock the new guys and gals that have that little spark in their minds to give it a try. <BR>
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The second and very important ingredient in this recovery is the new ARF industry. Now we can show how to get started in pattern with a 'serious' plane like the Swallow and Quest that has been discussed so much lately. More cheaper ARFs will be a boon to pattern, lets not poo poo these planes at the contests by unfairly judging their pilots, especially in the lower two classes.<BR>
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I personally have been inactive in pattern for a few years since my switch to IMAC. I must say the new ARF invasion, the deletion of flimsy ( I fly off grass ) retracts, and an apparent improvement in YS/OS engine reliability have wet my appetite to jump back in. <BR>
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If I can drag along my ole' pattern pro Dad to fly against other seniors at the same contest, I think this would be a blast ! He practices IMAC Sportsman and is my dedicated builder/caller. It wouldn't take much of a prod to get him entered in a pattern meet.<BR>
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So, lets look at the possibility of senior scoring within the existing classes along with an annual points championship for them. I'd say it just might work.<BR>
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Rick Hannah<BR>
St. Joseph, Michigan</FONT></HTML>