Darryl makes probably the best points. No need to add too much to that. These two notes really sum up the whole situation. The US (and AMA) are starting to slip in the FAI world, which is really the driving force behind the entire soaring scene. Without them we would still be flying built up poly ships and have never reached the model design and performance we have today. Everyone who owns a molded ship should thank the FAI people for pushing this technology.
But Darryl's comments are important and true. Perhaps we should have a 2 contest team selection. It would increase the caliber of pilot representing the US in the international community. Granted we have Joe and Darryl, but who will replace them when they get slow :) Joe already had to design a bigger airplane so he can see it (hahaha). Seriously, the AMA is investigating ways to increase FAI participation. If the AMA decided to highlight it, then the LSF and soaring community should work with that as well. But to be proactive, we should also develop a strategy that keeps everyone happy and flying. Soaring is unique in that we do have many participants, if the AMA does decide to push FAI only every other year (I doubt it...but it could), then who loses? The LSF should present a proposal to the AMA to help with the FAI issue, while also protecting the other NATS participants. Jason Werner ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "soaring exchange" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 8:13 PM Subject: Re: [RCSE] Nats..reply > > Well, I think poor ol' Jack's feeling a bit beat up. I don't think that was anybody's intention, at least not mine. I have enjoyed > > the Nats in all it's formats. Some better than others. They all have their pluses and minuses. The people who take charge of the > > contest do a fantastic job. I just wanted people to stop trashing some new ideas just because they were different, or didn't > > necessarily cater to their particular field of interest. (I don't fly FAI - so those events don't matter) And Jack, I don't think > > anybody expected them to take place at the very next Nats. > > > My sense of the initial post was not about trashing the Nationals in its current format, but was to look at different > > opportunities to increase participation in the FAI events. MY point was that we SHOULD look at ways to do this. Come on guys, > > these are the guys who represent our country in the International Soaring Community. > > Jack has asked me before about my thoughts about whether or not we should completely cancel F3B from the contest due to it's low > numbers. I would say, if left the way it is, yes, go ahead. From the perspective of someone who has to travel - get on a plane, take > all the models for the whole week with me to fly all the events, cuz, hey, if I'm going.... Now let's think about that - I have to > get 1 or 2 F3B models there, and 1 or 2 F3J models, and 1 or 2 Handlaunches, and a 2 Meter, and an open class TD plane ( I leave > before the RES and Nostalgia). I don't have a model box that fits all those. Just getting there gets expensive, and to ship or to > take as excess baggage is quite cost prohibitive. I even flew my TD plane in F3B one year just so I could compete. (And, yeah, I > have to listen to that guy say, "Hey, you remember that time I kicked your ass.... " ) You guys who are within driving distance > don't understand what we must go through to fly all the events. It's a royal pain in the ass - worth it, it must be since I keep > going - but a royal pain. > > OK, enough whining, but how DO we increase participation in the FAI events? > > I know for a fact that should the decision be made to fly a 2 or 3 day F3B event, there would be more participants. Would it take a > while to grow? Yes, of course. You really want it to grow? Make it a part of the Team Selections - kinda like a 2nd contest. For > example - on F3B TS years, one 3 day comp at the Nats, one 3 day comp over Labor Day as is currently done. The pilots can go to > either, or both, and are allowed one throwout contest. Top 3 scores = 3 team members. You wouldn't have to attend both contests, but > you'd be dumb not to if you're serious about making the team. The first place pilot would be guaranteed of making the team at either > comp, then the top scoring 2nd place finisher would be the 3rd pilot. This could be done for F3J on odd years as well. > > These are just ideas. I'm bouncing them out there. Most of you don't care about FAI, the US teams, Team Selections, etc.... But some > of us do. We would like a part in the National Championships. More than just a token 1 day event. > > Thanks for the bandwidth. And now back to your regularly scheduled Sal bashing - does that guy suck or what? ;-) > > Daryl > > > > > RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
