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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>> Point #2 is that anyone who buys equipment
ONLY because they saw a sponsored pilot do well with it is headed for a
disappointment.</FONT> <BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is very true that if someone buys a product used
by one of the top pilots and expects that will automatically make them a
champion then that person will be disappointed. Hard work and talent are what
make champions. However, I not sure most people really feel it will make them
champions as much as it's a confirmation that the product is "good enough" for,
or even, "preferred by" the champs. So if I'm unsure what motor to buy and I
take a survey of the top three Masters and FAI finishers at NATS and the World
Champs and find that 90% of them are flying a DZ then I know that by getting the
DZ I'm going to have an engine that's capable of top level performance. I know
that it won't immediately make me a winner, but I also know that at least
my engine won't be a handicap (other than to my wallet). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Reference selling is one of the most powerful and
effective forms of advertising there is, whether it's pattern equipment, camera
equipment, software, or any other product. I think manufactures are very wise to
sponsored pilots and there's no doubt in my mind that doing so sells a lot of
product for them. And when Mike Harrison wins FAI at NATS with the new Symphony,
you'll see just how much people immulate the top pilots! ;-)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keith Black</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gfowler@raytheon.com href="mailto:gfowler@raytheon.com">Gray E
Fowler</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> Wednesday, January 21, 2004 5:08
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> mas opinions</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></DIV><BR><FONT face=sans-serif
size=2>Anthony</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Considering Jason's
use of electrics....regardless of sponsorship, he knew alot about that rig
going into the worlds....alot more than the people second guessing him.
Problem here is that most that will rush out to buy an electric
rig ain't going from 10th to 1st, and if they do it will most likely be due to
flying time.</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>As far as the engine
situation goes I have seen local and at the NATs the following engines run
flawlessly</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>OS 1.4 RX</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>OS 1.4 EFI</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif
size=2>Mintor 1.7</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>OS 1.60</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>YS 1.4L</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif
size=2>YS 1.4 DZ</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>YS 1.60 DZ</FONT>
<BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Webra 1.45</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>As far as the engine situation goes I have seen local
and at the NATs the following engines run like crap...</FONT> <BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>OS 1.4 RX</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>OS
1.4 EFI</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Mintor 1.7</FONT> <BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>OS 1.60</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>YS
1.4L</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>YS 1.4 DZ</FONT> <BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2>YS 1.60 DZ</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif
size=2>Webra 1.45</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>The point being
they all run good they all run bad, and they have lots of power- sponsored non
sponsored, same with the radios.</FONT> <BR><FONT face=sans-serif size=2>Point
#2 is that anyone who buys equipment ONLY because they saw a sponsored pilot
do well with it is headed for a disappointment.</FONT> <BR><BR><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2><BR></FONT><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I
think information about what the sponsored pilots are using is valuable. There
is a reason everyone is curious about what equipment the winners use at the
Nats. You have to remember that in most cases sponsored pilots were great
pilots and fierce competitors before they became "company ambassadors". I
don't know a single one that would sacrifice reliability for the sponsorship
that comes with their level of achievement. That is not to say that Jason or
Chip couldn't beat me in my own class flying a PT40 ARF with no ailerons, but
I'm sure that they don't want to be wondering about a flame out or a glich
flying against some of the best pilots in the world. On some levels and as
much as my budget will allow, I try to emulate those who have had success
doing what I want to do. Before the worlds no one even considered flying an
electric in FAI (thanks Jason). There was even grumblings that he was risking
a possibl! e team victor! y with his actions. Now there are many people
including some on this list who are keeping a close eye on the technology and
the prices. I think it is inaccurate to say that the equipment that the
sponsored, which implies winning, pilots use does not at least influence
sales.</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT> <BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3>Anthony</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>P.S. I have flown a two meter pattern plane with a YS140 DZ, I flew
across straight and level at about half throttle, pulled verticle and went to
full power. I blinked and before I knew it I had nearly punched a whole in the
ozone layer. This leads my simple mind to a question. How much power is
enough? I plan on flying an OS 140RX this year and if it has as much as or
more power than a DZ140 I will be a little concerned.<BR></FONT><FONT
face=sans-serif size=2><BR><BR>Gray Fowler<BR>Principal Chemical
Engineer<BR>Composites Engineering</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>