ORIGINAL: rcflyer4fun

This is just my 2 cents worth of suggestion that I think would increase pattern participation. Take it for what you think it is worth but last week at my club there were a few newby wannabies to pattern that were introduced to me. I printed out some sportsman call sheets and manuever descriptions and handed them out to the guys. I figured Id help them with flying the pattern and whatnot and get them to attend the St. Charles IL contest. I know once they attend a contest a certain percentage will be hooked but the problem I ran into is that the guys found the call sheets and manuever descriptions by themselves intimidating and they told me that they didn't think they were ready to try it. I understand there stance about being intimidated but the not wanting to try part I don't. When I decided back in the early 90's to try pattern I grabbed a call sheet and had my friend Andy call the manuevers for me. As basic as the manuevers were I could not make it thru 3 or 4 manuevers before I broke the pattern and I was discouraged somewhat by this. It didnt stop me from trying though. I went to a local contest to see what It was about. I went without an airplane because I was just going to watch. I got there early and got to talking with the contest director and he talked me into driving home to get a plane and try it out. I was reluctant because I could not complete the pattern but I decided to do it anyway. After returning with my plane I was finally able to watch someone fly thru the pattern to completion. Where I am from there was no one doing pattern so I had no mentor to help me out. To my surprise my first round I was able to complete the pattern successfully! I actually was able to fly the entire pattern without breaking out of it. Each subsequent round I saw improvement in my flying and I was hooked.

So my suggestion is this. I think we should get rid of the Sportsman class in favor of a beginners Classic Pattern Class. A beginner class in which is not turn around but all centered manuevers. We could call it a Club Class if you will. My old-timer friend Andy said that back in the day it was not unusual to have 50 or 60 guys show up for a contest. If we can find a way to make it less intimidating to get these guys out there, a certain percentage will get hooked with the sport.

Evan