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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have a little different take on this ( so what's
new Ed ?? ) . We currently subscribe to the theory that a person begins in
Sportsman and they progress to one of two "destination" classes, USA recognized
Masters or world recognized FAI. The current format and rules may not state that
but in reality that is what is implied. So we make the assumption that most if
not all pattern flyers have a goal to fly one of those two "destination" classes
sooner or later, or never if you look at how the numbers are dropping in
pattern. I believe all four AMA classes can be "destination" classes, I know I
have said this before and it was not well received. Frankly, there are those,
myself included, that may never reach a level of proficiency to win in
Masters or FAI. I moved up to Masters in late '02 for a change, not because I
pointed out or won a district championship, I wanted to challenge myself knowing
full well that I was giving up winning in Advanced occasionally to become the
bottom of the heap in Masters. Given the amount of time I can devote to
practice, I can accept that, for me personally flying pattern was never about
wining, however, it sure is nice to win on occasion. Years ago when I
raced NHRA SS/L, my goal or destination was not to become a top fuel dragster or
funny car pilot. I was quiet happy racing ( and winning ) in that "sportsman"
class. My goal in my work life was never to become CEO of company XYZ. I think
we need to recognize and accept the fact that as we have raised the bar in
schedule complexity AND equipment requirements, many have realized they cannot
compete at the highest levels of our sport OR just plain do not wish too. Part
of the reason folks cannot or do not strive to compete at the Masters and/or FAI
level is the amount of resources required ( both time and $$ but more time
) to even fly, let alone compete at that level. Not every one that
competes wants to be Chip Hyde, I'd dare to say most are just looking to
challenge themselves. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed M.</FONT> </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=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 12:00
PM</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>