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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I flew in D4 Sportsman in 2003. Was
I the best Sportsman in the District?…NO…I only placed 1<sup>st</sup>
in one out of 8 contest I attended during the season. I started with an Aresti
and it flew great, then I got hooked on Pattern. I found a good deal on a Focus
and flew it in the last five contests including the D4 Championship contest
where I placed 2<sup>nd</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Reflecting on that year I don’t
think anybody was intimidated because I had a 2M pattern plane. If they were,
it didn’t last long after they seen me fly the first
round…lol…I flew in 3 different Districts and those that showed up
to fly Sportsman did it because it was fun. Most did not commit themselves to
attending many contests. My goal was the Championship for Sportsman, I attended
allot of contest and those that flew regularly commented on how much I
continued to improve at each one.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>With that said, I believe the Sportsman
Championship is a good deal. For those that commit early and make it a goal,
it’s achievable. The Championship is to reward those with the commitment
to make contests, then to reward based on skill. I’m a much better pilot
because I attended many contests that year and placed lower than some flying 40
to 60 size sport planes, like Extra’s.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I don’t think that the points race
turns anyone away from Sportsman, but it is a carrot to those who are drawn to
competition. The problem I have in drawing 1<sup>st</sup> time Sportsman to my
contest is getting past the cold feet of being judged on your flying skills.
Although I can’t do all the fancy 3D stuff, I’m considered to be
one of the better pilots in our club. To enter a contest and come in last place
is humbling. I do this regularly….lol…The thought of -not doing
well- is the bigger part of why folks turn away from any competitive sport.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy'>Larry<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy'>************************************</span></font> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dean et
al,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> I
still don't understand how abolishing the "Championship" achievement
is going to make any difference. I see Dave's point - kind of doesn't make
sense as far as wording goes, but the reality is I don't think it would make
any difference one way or another if there was no "Sportsman
Champion". When I started flying pattern the last thing that went through
my mind was winning any kind of points championship. There are plenty of other
things to worry about. As far as making Sportsman more "entry level
friendly": Instead of abolishing the achievemment award - how about making
some rules that don't allow 2-meter planes in Sportsman or something like that.
Remember the old "no pipes or retracts" rules? That does more to keep
the cost down than anything else. Look at what they do in racing classes (no
aluminum heads / no 4bbl carbs, etc.) That keeps the cost down to a point but
someone always pushes the envelope. The perception is that the hardware will
triumph over skill (or lack thereof). How many $500.00 golf clubs have you
seen? Those of us who can read between the lines know this isn't true, but
marketing strategy prevails.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> On another
note, here's a reality check. In my second contest - I got booted out of
Sportsman. What a stupid rule. As long as 7 guys show up - 3 of them are
screwed. Now we all know how well a 40 size Kaos would do in 402. See
what I did (thanks Ed and Rick)? Two Focii (and a new radio and GMC truck)
later I'm still flying. I'm not hoping to win the 402 "Championship"
this year. Or next. Just want to fly better and have a good time with my new
friends. See you at Pocono!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>John
Pavlick<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a
href="http://www.idseng.com/" target="_blank" el="http://www.idseng.com"
lid="http://www.idseng.com">http://www.idseng.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>2nd place
2004 / D1 Sportsman<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>-------------- Original message from "Dean Pappas"
<d.pappas@kodeos.com>: -------------- <br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Hey Gang,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Those of us who have been at this game
forever are weighing in, mostly on the side of trying to take the impression
that you need a major commitment to fly Sportsman: both financially, and
timewise.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>We might be forgiven if some of us (myself
included) thought that not having a points race in Sportsman would make that
first hurdle feel lower.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Simple question for <strong><b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>only</span></font></b></strong> the
guys who flew Sporstman within the last five or so years ...</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Did the points race in Sportsman add to
your perception of difficulty, make the "entry fee" to swim in
the big pool seem bigger, or raise the needed level of committment?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>It's pretty obvious that what I think is
not the issue! Those of you who have more recent memories of the entry-level
can offer me some guidance.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>P.S. I seem to be utterly unable to sign
on to the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">NSRCA</st1:PersonName> discussion list, so
if someone places this same question there, that might throw a wider net.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Regards,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> </span></font><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Dean</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dean
Pappas <br>
Sr. Design Engineer <br>
Kodeos Communications <br>
111 Corporate Blvd. <br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">South Plainfield</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">N.J.</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">07080</st1:PostalCode></st1:place>
<br>
(908) 222-7817 phone <br>
(908) 222-2392 fax <br>
d.pappas@kodeos.com <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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