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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dave,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I also understand your points. I'm sure there
are some pilots that are intimidated with the perception that surrounds
Pattern. Myself, I flew a Quest, last year, and am going to fly
an Excelleron 90 this year. These acquisitions were not because of the
"perceived need to fly Sportsman with a Pattern plane", they were just because I
wanted a new plane, and what better excuse to use on the wife, "But Honey,
I going to fly Pattern and I have to have a plane that's competitive!"
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I believe that some of the reason that pilots are
staying in Sportsman a little longer is, the better pilots are moving up so last
year's beginners are finally in the plaques, vying for 1st and 2nd places, nice
stuff to hang on the wall of achievement, if desired. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Nothing will make me drop out of Pattern. I
have set a goal for myself, and that goal is to be flying Masters in 8 to 10
years. I will work toward that end with as much vigilance as possible,
giving in, when necessary, to all of the other things that go on in
life.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'll be around, no matter what happens to the
Sportsman class.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ken Thompson</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>D4 Sportsman, again</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=DaveL322@comcast.net href="mailto:DaveL322@comcast.net">David
Lockhart</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> Monday, January 10, 2005 8:19
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Class Structure</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ken,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I understand your point and am not specifically
looking to take away the "carrot". A repeated theme I've heard from
potential pattern newbies is about intimidation - they won't go to a contest
because they don't have a "pattern" plane and don't want to spend the $$$ on a
pattern plane to find out if they like the event. They also don't want
to go to a contest and fly in the entry level class (currently called
Sportsman) and find they are competing with someone who not only has a pattern
plane but has been flying in the class for 3 year. Real "pattern" planes
and long term pilots in the Sportsman class are both intimidating to a
significant number of potential pattern newbies. And whether or not the
real "pattern" plane is really of benefit to a new pattern pilot in Sportsman
- for some it is (they can handle the plane and are not afraid of it), and for
others it is probably a detriment (they are scared of the plane and likely way
behind it) - but that is secondary to bigger issue that the perception is that
the pattern plane is needed and this is reinforced when the guys winning the
entry level class are flying "pattern" planes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I certainly don't want to see someone as yourself
drop out if the District Championship were removed, but, if it were
removed, I think some of the currently intimidated pilots would try pattern
and maybe stay around. No way to know for certain. I would
certainly welcome any additional thoughts you have.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<DIV><BR>Dave</DIV>
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