Arch and Verne,
Admittedly, I've never had the opportunity to make it to the NATS although I suspect I will be there in 2011. I also agree with everything you are saying and I believe that one day I'll be competitive regardless of how this all plays out. I was simply looking at the group as a whole. Another hurdle to cross and another goal for the average pilot to hit. It's all about the competition and no one flies pattern to come in last place or be "happy" with finishing mid-pack. If there is a class where pilots of similar abilities can compete between Advanced and Masters, we have done a service to those pilots and also to the pilots that are gifted enough to be able to fly a harder sequence in the top of Masters. No one can ever convince me that we don't compete to win.

I also agree with the fact we will always find a reason to complain. I feel that I was trying to find a solution to the complaint of Masters being too easy for the gifted ones and Masters class size being too big and not really complaining. Obviously, the AMA and NSRCA have to draw a line in the sand somewhere and maybe the current system is that line but new ideas and ways to make things better do not come from accepting status-quo.

Also, concerning the NATS, what I am led to believe by the comment (again, never having gone) is that there is no room for growth? Are we saying that the NATS are so large now that we can't add in new events and disciplines? The same number of people are going to attend the NATS regardless of how many classes are flown. If Expert was created, this would take (I would surmise) a fair number from the Masters class and some from the Advanced class. Why would it be difficult to have Expert fly before Masters or after Advanced or whatever? It's still the same number of pilots. Remember, I haven't been to one of these yet so pardon me being naive.

If it can be thought of, it can be accomplished. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy but that which is easy isn't really worth doing.