ORIGINAL: speedracerntrixie
I think that if a guy has enough interest he will give it a try. IMO all these things to get people over to fly a few sequences is all fine and dandy but few of the guys we "Lure" over with these tatics will actually stick around. Out of an average club there may be 10% that will want to fly competition at all. Devide that up between Pattern, IMAC and racing. On average at any one event it usually takes guys from several clubs to reach 40 pilots. Not too sure there is anything we can do about it. Any of this type of flying takes time and money. neither of these things seem to be in abundance these days.
Agreed. Whatever the numbers, not all will / can afford to persevere. What can be done to help the few that can continue to be rewarded with a contest experience that is challenging enough to be attainable, yet achievable enough to encourage perseverence? Add in that so many are flying electric right from the start these days and I think Pattern looks real good to attract newcomers to precision aerobatics. For example, I just flew in a Club's IMAC Basic only day yesterday as a guest pilot. I placed 5th out of 10 pilots. I had a great time and improved my flying skills with all the coaching and watching others fly. At the end of the day, as an all-electric pilot by choice, I still prefer Pattern because that is where I can progress with my airplane as I build my skills. Not having a quarter-scale or larger gasser does not limit me in Basic this season, but will limit how far I can progress in IMAC; so I am more rewarded to stick with the sport where my gear fits in. The point is a lot of newcomers to RC are starting with electric planes; we might be able to attract some of them to Pattern where electric is not only welcome, it is competitive. Just a thought.
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