<DIV>The other side is it takes as much time to practice for IMAC and be proficient at it. I don't see the difference between IMAC and Pattern on this issue, although I agree 100%.</DIV>
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<DIV>We are again back to perception IMO.</DIV>
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<DIV>ed<BR><BR><B><I>Robert Harden <rharden1@cox.net></I></B> wrote:</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I agree with you Earl, it takes many hours of practice to compete well in pattern. Our equipment has to be working well during the contest too; if not there is unbelievable frustration over it.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bob</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=ehaury@houston.rr.com href="mailto:ehaury@houston.rr.com">Earl Haury</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 5:25 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Does Pattern competition cost too much?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<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>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</FONT> </DIV>
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<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>
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<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></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>