<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 10/13/2003 7:05:12 PM Eastern Standard Time, juhler@bellsouth.net writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">So the bottom line of this long ramble....if the low level classes would allow guys to fly their everyday plane, you may attract new blood.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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Are you under a misconception here ? Any plane is legal in any class of pattern as long as it meets the size and weight requirements. That is by the rules , however , the vast majority of local contest don't even check the planes . That statement will most likely rekindle the weight argument again ! <BR>
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The fact is , most experienced pattern flyers encourage newbies to get their feet wet with their Sunday flyer or sport plane . The problem is that some show up in sportsman class with a fully equiped pattern bird and scare off the guy with the sport plane . <BR>
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Several years ago , pattern changed the rules to allow any AMA legal plane in the sportsman class . This included big bird IMAC type planes . The purpose off the exercize was to attract new blood . The results , no new pattern flyers . However , the flying escapades of some who ventured it did scare the hell out of those around and it was quickly decided that 35 and 40 pound planes in the hands of rookies had no place in pattern land .<BR>
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Personally , I would like to see a rule change that prohibited full fledge 2 meter pattern birds in sportsman . That would help level the playing field for the newbie with his Sportster or Tiger or Kaos or host of new arf sport type planes. <BR>
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I agree with Anthony 100 % . Like him , if I ever figure out how to solve the problem , I'll be sure to tell everyone . <BR>
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Robert Gainey</FONT></HTML>