ORIGINAL: viva_peru
Hello,
My club just had a 2-day IMAC clinic a few weeks ago. About 12 pilots participated and we actually had a couple that came from out of town. The first day covered what IMAC is and isn't in addition to having an abreviated judging seminar. The idea behind the seminar was to help people learn how to read Aresti as well as giving them a few pointers about what judges are typically looking for. The afternoon was spent ''judging'' a few flights from experienced pilots. The demos were also intended to help people visualize the sequences.
The following day, we had a mini-contest as well as a general trimming session for anyone one who needed help with their plane. In the end, I think it worked out quite well, although personally I think it would have been better to have a one day event rather than a two day event. I think that for most pilots, the most useful aspect of the event was to get a chance to fly in-front of the judges and the tips they received after their flights. In addition, some took advantage of the opportunity to have an experienced pilot help them trim their plane.
I am pretty sure that something similar could be done for pattern. Right now, in our club, we have 4 or 5 people who are interesting in competing, although mostly in IMAC. I am the only pattern flyer at this time, and a newbie at that.
Teo
A few years ago, Dave Guerrin asked a few long time pattern people to participate in something similar to what Teo stated above. Dean Pappas, Dave Lockhart and I drove down to Green Sea, SC (?...I think that's the town). Several other long timers (Rusty Dose who was co-CD, Don Szcuzr, Arch Stafford, a few others) also were there. We assisted with Judge training, model set-up, discussions etc. Then there was a contest after that.
It was a well attended, well organized effort, aimed mostly at people new to Pattern, although a bunch of more experienced but lower level folks showed up for the contest and education. Access to expert pilots like Dave, Archie, Don and Dean was appreciated by all less experioenced. Everyone went home feeling something important just took place. Several months later, the event was repeated in Rusty's area. I didn't attend that event tho and neither did Dean.
Unfortunately, this type of effort, as educational as it was, sorta died on the vine. Why? First and foremost, in my opinion, is that any such effort requires a long term Champion (and funding wouldn't hurt) that will see it through for years. Dave and Rusty were Champions of the effort and did a fine job....but this kind of effort couldn't be sustained longer term; their out of pocket cost (both in terms of funds and effort) had to be pretty significant.
Second, an area that may need to be thought through by NSRCA council with some membership input is to establish set of general guidelines that will assist a new organizer in putting on such an effort. In my view, an entry class makes sense but it doesn't need to be administered by the AMA and be bound by Contest Board regulation. But it should follow NSRCA standards and be good for any future pattern involvement. The AMA's involvement only needs to be safety and sanction deep.
Third, getting clubs to manage and fund such events to NSRCA guidelines is no small task. Chances are great that it will fall on the shoulders of a single, at most two, Champions. Anyone willing to do such a thing needs to know that up front and that should be in the guideline also. It would be great if the same people were to Champion the effort in a recurring, hopefully annual manner, but with some up front effort on NSRCA's part, it wouldn't be a must.............