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<DIV>Yes it is Steve. Just a couple months ago many were complaining about AMA
must not follow FAI and now some want to precede it. I suppose it's not
following FAI but...</DIV>
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<DIV>This discussion reminds me of the proverbial Rat Race. Thats an unwinnable
race and many elements seem to me to apply here. </DIV>
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<DIV>Matt</DIV>
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<DIV>In a message dated 2/25/2005 5:46:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,
patternrules@earthlink.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>What
happens when we change AMA and FAI doesn't change? The designers will<BR>still
go for the FAI not AMA, isn't it better to let FAI do what they do?<BR>Steve
Maxwell<BR><BR><BR>----- Original Message ----- <BR>From: <BR>To:
discussion@nsrca.org<BR>Sent: 2/25/2005 5:12:27 PM <BR>Subject: Re: Weight
limit discussion<BR><BR><BR>In a message dated 2/25/2005 3:46:35 PM Central
Standard Time,<BR>DaveL322@comcast.net writes:<BR>Buddy,<BR><BR>Point one - if
the average weight of the top models now is 9.75 lbs (I<BR>think pretty
accurate), and the average weight of the "average" model is<BR>10.75 lbs, both
will have a higher average cost if the average weights<BR>shift to 10 and 12.5
lbs (which will unquestionably happen if the weight<BR>limit is
increased).<BR><BR>The professional, aspiring professional, and
non-professional are all<BR>influenced by the top F3A flyers and the top
Masters flyers (albeit it to a<BR>lesser extent). The top F3A flyers
drive much of the airplane and product<BR>design/manufacturing. You can
not remove the influence of the top F3A<BR>flyers on the whole of pattern, and
the majority of flyers will emulate the<BR>top flyers.<BR><BR>The top
competitors will push the envelope and the masses will follow. It<BR>has
always been that way, and it always will be - the nature of
competition<BR>does not change, nor does the nature of a competitive human or
a human<BR>striving for perfection.<BR><BR>Dave<BR><BR>-------------- Original
message -------------- <BR><BR>Dave <BR>In answer to the following parts of
your post (had to split it up to big<BR>for the list to handle)<BR><BR>Raise
the weight limit in pattern, and the 2x2m monoplane will get bigger<BR>and
more costly (and the most competitive examples will still probably be<BR>under
11 lbs, but the "average" plane won't be).<BR>So far this is my point exactly.
If we are to make AMA pattern an inclusive<BR>event we in my opinion must
include the average competitor. Those who have<BR>higher aspirations will do
what they must to achieve perfection and a<BR>weight rule change will have
little effect on those who aspire to compete<BR>on a higher
level.<BR><BR>Raise the weight limit in pattern while leaving unlimited
displacement and<BR>the 2x2m box, and the 2x2m monoplane will no longer be the
most competive<BR>design - the most competitive design will be a purpose
designed pattern<BR>bipe that will be substantially more expensive (money,
time, maintenance)<BR>than the current day designs.<BR><BR>If you don't think
a purpose design pattern bipe would be the best, ask<BR>Chip. He will
tell you without reservation he would not have flown his<BR>Double Visions in
the past few years if he did not think it was the best<BR>plane.<BR>Yes, but
you also need to consider the level of competition and his goals.<BR>Lets face
it Chip is playing to the world in an arena composed of<BR>professionals
making him a member of an exclusive group that for the most<BR>part excludes
the rank and file of pattern. Here again I believe AMA<BR>pattern should be
structured to attract all of the rank and file while<BR>affording those who
aspire to greatness the opportunity to compete on a<BR>higher level without
effecting or excluding those who make up the core of<BR>the pattern community
or those who interested in joining it <BR>Buddy<BR>Dave<BR>I think I
understand what you are saying. With that in mind what happens to<BR>the AMA
classes when FAI raises the weight limit which many think will<BR>happen in
the next rules change cycle. Is it better to look forward and be<BR>a year
ahead of the game or wait and be a year behind?<BR>If we do it a year ahead it
will be the first time and may give our FAI<BR>flyers a head start but if we
wait it will be as always AMA will follow all<BR>FAI changes putting everyone
a year behind. <BR>Buddy</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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