Thanks for your evaluation Tony.

I have mixed emotions on the possibility, but ultimately I hope "they" don't outlaw contra drives.
Part of the appeal of pattern for me is that the planes fly so darn good that, competition or no, it's just plain fun and satisfying to fly them. Technical developments have made them better and better over the years (IMO).

Also, Brenner et al. have done a heck of a job engineering and producing this thing, and they deserve to make some money from it.

On the other hand, there will be plenty of people (like me) with more money than talent who will need or want it, thus driving up the perceived cost of being competitive. It's not going to lower the cost of the hobby! I apologize if my comments send this thread off into the cost debate - no need to as this is being discussed elsewhere.

Dan