Tim

Actually FAI - F3A is AMA class 406. Granted, subject to F3A rules as defined by the CIAM F3A Subcommittee.

We have representation on that committee. In fact, many of the "new" things in pattern were conceived by our rep who was chairman of the committee for years. I don't believe that we (AMA classes) have been dictated to by FAI other than by our failure to participate. That's our fault. We've active representation now (Derek Koopowitz) and I assure you that any input to him will receive consideration. The NSRCA has taken an active role (rightly so) in ensuring we have active representation, communication, and participation in both AMA & F3A. Pattern as a whole is much better served by being a part of the global community.

That being said, the AMA classes serve well to provide skill development with reasonable opportunities for advancement and competition for the casual competitor. Not everyone has the skill or desire to compete at the top level. For sure, F3A takes more work and costs more than many wish to dedicate to the sport and that's fine, hence AMA Masters being our "destination class". But F3A is the globally recognized epitome of pattern, so it really doesn't serve the sport, or individuals, well for AMA to adopt contrary rules. Certainly there's room in the AMA rules to allow variations in weight, noise, etc. so as to minimize cost and make competition available to as many as possible. We have a Pattern Contest Board that works hard to achieve this. OTOH, it's reasonable that the basis of the AMA rules and practices coincide (and they really do for the most part) with those of F3A.