<DIV>Keith,</DIV>
<DIV>I haven't been to a contest in going on two seasons (graduate school) and I miss it like crazy! I would drive 10 hours if I only had the time to practice and compete. I think if it is not in your blood to compete and get immediate feedback on your flying (scores) then you can always find a reason not to compete. That question is like asking someone why they bought a Harley, or why they skydive, it is easy to justify not doing it, but that is no fun.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Personally I love the people and all of the wonderful friends I have made in the pattern community. I am a very competitive person, and I like the pressure and the challenge. I like knowing that I have to control my emotions, my breathing, my timing, along with my airplane. When you are in a pattern groove, it is almost spiritual. I see it as an opportunity to meet a challenge head on, a chance to compete against myself and share a weekend with good friends, not to mention how much it has improved my flying. I feel like something is missing in my life, and not just the $6000 per semester for tuition. I can not wait to get back to competing.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If you have to ask what motivates one to fly pattern, you are probably past the point where you can understand. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Someone on the list said it best (not an exact quote but close):</DIV>
<DIV>Practicing or just flying without a purpose is like golfing without the holes. <BR><BR><B><I>Verne Koester <verne@twmi.rr.com></I></B> wrote:</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Competition and good friends with a common interest.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Verne</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </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=khoard@midsouth.rr.com href="mailto:khoard@midsouth.rr.com">Keith Hoard</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">NSRCA Mailing List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 02, 2005 9:02 AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Motivation. . . .</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As I’m sitting here weighing several variables for this weekend; weather forecast, hotel cost, fuel prices, ect. . . . . <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I would like to know what is the number one Motivating Factor that gets you up off your duff to pack up all of your pattern toys, drive 5-8 hours, shell out several hundred $$’s, risk a rain-out, then drive 5-8 hours back home Sunday night, get home at 2a.m., to start your work week all over again on Monday.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What is the top thought in your mind as you anticipate going to a contest . . . is it the chicks? The big money prizes? Is it the thought of finally beating someone you’ve been trying to get the upper hand for years? The oohhhs and ahhhhs you’re hoping to get from your new 2005 model year Pattern Ship?? Figure out how well my new airplane flies? See if my 5-year old pattern plane still “has it”??<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I guess what I’m trying to get here is: What gets you to go to a contest 5-8 hours away vs. spending the weekend at your local field or just driving to visit your flying friends at their local field?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Keith L. Hoard<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Cordova</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, <st1:State w:st="on">TN</st1:State></SPAN></FONT></st1:place><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">khoard@midsouth.rr.com<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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