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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think this "top class" issue is of little value
and, at best, semantics. One could argue that, as AMA pattern class 404 is
Masters and AMA pattern 406 is F3A, F3A is at the top of AMA progression.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mark's point that we have as much influence in F3A
as any other country is not only valid - many of the F3A "innovations" have come
from USA reps to the FAI CIAM F3A Subcommittee. I also assure you that a
sequence provided by "us" will not only receive as much consideration as any
other, but be quite welcome. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><FONT>Our pattern community worldwide is
small, why on earth would we want to be only a subset? BTW - does anyone have a
feel for the total number of pattern competitors worldwide, I suspect that the
US may be in the minority.</FONT> Sure, we should and do have preparatory
classes. These may become resident classes for folks prevented from
moving forward by any number of limiting factors, but that's a fact of
life - not reason to tailor these classes to that end.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>One of the strongest attractions for model aviation
is diversity. Likewise, excess diversity is a weakness of model aviation. We too
quickly "invent" new disciplines to accommodate each and every interest with the
effect of diluting our core groups. If one considers most sports, many
folks participate at playground, high school, college, and pro levels with
fewer at each level as the requirements take a toll. But the "top"
level is clearly recognized and emulated, there may be concessions to detail,
difficulty, equipment at the early levels - but the top level clearly is the
goal.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I find it sad that some consider that the
NSRCA</FONT> <FONT face=Arial size=2>should ignore F3A, rather the
NSRCA should drive the US interests in F3A. The NSRCA was founded by the
top F3A competitors of the time and there was no expectation that it was
exclusive of F3A, unfortunately they didn't recognize the need to spell that out
in the charter. Pattern is our game, anything that interests folks in pattern
competition is very good, discussion of pattern details is good, F3A is
the epitome of our game, but I find it hard to criticize anything related
to the enjoyment of pattern.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
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<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=rcaerobob@cox.net href="mailto:rcaerobob@cox.net">Bob Pastorello</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> Sunday, January 02, 2005 11:00
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Sequence Poll Results</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks, Mark and Verne. Two sides of the
core issue. Since I raised the initial question, and Ed/Tony put out the
poll....I thought perhaps I'd summarize my rationale.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Masters is THE top class in
AMA Pattern. That is what our National Competition is about. In my
thinking, it SHOULD stand as separate, and unique/different in it's skill
requirements than FAI.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Mark, you wrote that FAI is
"the" Top Class. No, it is the class chosen for the World Championship
aerobatic competitions. Because of that, every country that wants to
participate in the WC must have flyers who prepare using the same standards,
same sequences, as the other countries. I think the US provides that,
and even CD's include FAI-F3A events in the typical pattern
contest.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Is there ANYONE out here who honestly believes
that the FAI class is not a "professional" class of competition??
Please....look at where the money is spent, the sponsorships "pay", etc.
I am perfectly comfortable being thought of as "Amateur" if I fly AMA
pattern....doesn't ruffle my feathers at all.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> At the "Professional" level of
sports, there are rules that the Amateurs don't have. Football is a good
example.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I happen to believe that our Masters' class, as
the top of the AMA heap, must represent the best we have in US
competition. IF folks want to compete at the International WORLD level,
professional competitions, then I'd bet they will come FROM our Masters
class. And to me, that means that they learn the "new" Professional
Sequences/rules that are needed when they make that choice.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It's not our job in the AMA Pattern classes to
make a person competent at FAI. It is our responsibility to provide
interesting challenge, growth, and INVOLVEMENT opportunities for the majority
of the 2% of all modelers who choose pattern in the first place. Let's
build maneuvers in sequences that provide the skill base...then let those who
are "advanced" enough, learn the rest. There's plenty of mentors out
there for them to feed each other....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Before ya'll go crazy and start typing like
mad.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am *NOT* saying that we
exclude FAI, or discontinue or support of the World team, or any of that
stuff. That's good for the global community.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am saying that we should
look a little closer at why we have the game in the US, and design
everything we do around THAT purpose. Whatever it is deemed to
be.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><BR>Bob Pastorello<BR>NSRCA 199 AMA 46373<BR><A
href="mailto:rcaerobob@cox.net">rcaerobob@cox.net</A><BR><A
href="http://www.rcaerobats.net">www.rcaerobats.net</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </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=atwoodm@paragon-inc.com
href="mailto:atwoodm@paragon-inc.com">Atwood, Mark</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> Sunday, January 02, 2005 10:47
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Sequence Poll
Results</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Verne,<BR> <BR>Just to be clear...I would not be
advocating that particular detail. My point is the more overriding
philosophy that the lower levels exist to prepare for the next level.
And in my mind, FAI is clearly one of those levels...happens to be the
top. To argue that Masters is the top...and that FAI is a different
"track" makes no sense to me. If we were to truly do that...then we'll
end up creating lower "FAI" classes...that would compete with the AMA
classes. <BR> <BR>Do we currently crown the Masters champ at the
Nats as our National Champion?? Are they considered the best flyer at
the event? <BR> <BR>Ok...done preaching...lol...sorry. It just
doesn't make sense to me. <BR> <BR>I do agree with you that I
like having control of those sequences...and that's an advantage in my
mind. The OLD FAI pattern may not be the best way to train for the
next FAI pattern... The masters pattern of today should be
preparing flyers for the P-07 or P-09 of
tomorrow...<BR><BR>________________________________<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>