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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Eric raises points that need discussion
(and they're getting it). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>We're fortunate to have a large group of F3A
competitors in Dist 6, but have no consensus regarding flying the F sequence.
Each individual's preference is based mostly on time available for practice and
their goals. Folks pursuing careers have barely enough time to be proficient
with one sequence at the P or Masters level. Folks with the Nats finals as
a goal want to gain competition experience with F. Which way to go comes up at
most contests in D6 and it can go either way in a vote. We have even flown
"pilot's choice" (more work for scoring) with varying ways to combine P & F
results to a common round score.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There's more incentive to fly both P & F
with the new Nats format. Given our competitive nature, I suspect more will
work with the F sequence (rather than plan on 4 Nats rounds of P - or staying
home) and want to "test" it in front of local judges. I also agree that the
additional couple of rounds of P on the second day of a local meet are
anti-climactic - hardly worth the effort / expense.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The F sequences are a big step and do take time to
master, but the difficulty level will cause one to become a much better pilot.
They are part of the F3A game and are now more a part of the Nats. Our Masters
class is well suited in challenge and competition for those without the time or
interest in pursuing a program as demanding as F3A.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The F3A unknowns is another can of worms in many
folks view. The method of choosing maneuvers (by the pilots) is cumbersome at
best. Something similar to the IMAC program makes more sense (maybe "borrow"
IMAC unknowns for local meets?) Before anyone blows a gasket - this isn't a call
to include unknowns in local meets. But it might be fun to add as an extra
attraction after the event is complete (usually early afternoon) for those that
wish to stick around and fly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then there are the judging concerns. A certified
judge with some experience should be able to handle any sequence - one maneuver
at a time. There's nothing wrong with having a judge's "caller", as long as the
judges are as far behind the pilot as recommended (7 - 10 meters), and is almost
mandatory for unknowns.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Concerns really revolve around staying within one's
"comfort level" or reaching out for a challenge with a chance of improvement -
be it a pilot or a judge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Earl</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=pattern4u@comcast.net href="mailto:pattern4u@comcast.net">Grow
Pattern</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> Thursday, November 10, 2005 10:46
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> What constitutes an FAI
flyer.</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This question has been going around in my mind
since they came up with P-01 and F-01 and FAI wrote it up so that we, the USA,
only fly the Finals at the Nat's or team trials.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the (my) old days they had schedules A,B, C
etc right up to E. The A-schedule was flown for two years with the new
B-schedule as the finals schedule. Then the B was flown for two years
with the C as the finals schedule and so on.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Nowadays MOST FAI pilots really only fly the
preliminary schedules. Next year it will by P-07. If most of the FAI
pilots only compete with a P-schedule then I would submit that there is not
much difference between an FAI pilot and a Masters pilot. Unless they make it
into a Nat's or Team trials final (or semi final maybe).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So maybe we are only being typically liberal and
just spinning our wheels with a 406 class or perhaps I have been
ignoring the obvious for years and I should accept that the P-series
should be our Masters series.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If not then maybe we should start running
F-schedules on Sundays for FAI pilots flying AMA 406 at local
contests.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lets face it you either are an FAI pilot or you
are not. Just flying P-07 next year is like being half an FAI pilot!!!!.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Looking to create a debate and hear what you
think. Don't really want to upset the middle order of FAI pilots or
create a fight, but definitively wanting to be a shade
contentious.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Eric.</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>