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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I agree with Jim. We have IMAA fly-ins locally
where nearly all participants have more invested than pattern requires and the
attendance number is huge, motor homes galore! The issue with pattern (unless
you're very talented) is the amount of (time consuming) practice. Almost any
other venue permits recognition, status, etc. without the continuous, arduous,
practice (work, work, and more work) required by most to be successful in
pattern competition. Also ,the majority of folks despise competition, making
pattern types weird (in a wonderful sort of way).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</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=joddino@socal.rr.com href="mailto:joddino@socal.rr.com">J.Oddino</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, July 25, 2005 4:40 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Does Pattern competition cost
too much?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>From time to time I hear folks suggesting the
reason the number of contestants is down is due to the high cost of pattern
planes and support equipment. Well I don't believe that is the
reason. This weekend I went to a relatively local IMAC contest in
Camarillo California and there were somthing like 61 preregistered and 56
actually flying. I'd guess 80% of the planes were 40% scale, meaning
they had $1500 engines and $3000 airframes and $1500 worth of servos.
Then you've got the motor homes and trucks and trailers to transport
them. I still say the highest cost of flying is the driving to and from
the field and that is probably why the park flyers are so popular.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So what is the reason for the drop in attendance
and the drop in the number of pattern contests? Or is that only in
Southern California?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim O</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>