There are plenty of Guys/Gals out there that help and mentor new people interested inflying precision type flying. I mentor/share information and help all sorts of people of all ages and interests. Mentoring two right now, one 14 and one 49.
However, you "will not" find an abundance of volunteers from the upper echelon of the hobby/sport, unless there is something in for them (the $)and not all of them. Getting knowledge from the top, becomes very selective unfortunately for the "Who's Who" of the hobby in the class of the rising stars (not all of them, a few share well, most don't). The important thing is...., you can get support from most anywhere, if you ask. The knowledge pool out there is very large from all the classes.
The best advice I ever received when I started asking for help with pattern flying set up's and some refining of my flying skills, flying FAI/F3A was this. Get a guy/gal you know and fly with and get them to study the maneuvers’, geometry, centering and the areas of common downgrades (understand the rules). Have this person call for you at first, both memorize the sequence and then, have him/her judge you every practice flight. I followed the advice and it helped tremendously, a friend of mine got interested in the hobby, hadn't even solo'd yet, but he studied the FAI/F3A power point presentations and the maneuvers with me.
Please don't be afraid to attend a contest, just about anyone you meet in the contest ranks will help you at a contest, especially as a new participant to pattern. I can say that's true at just about every contest I've flown.
The flip side of the coin is this, I've helped mentored and even given pattern planes away to those that had a passion for Pattern/Imac. The following year the shinny object distraction got them. Many guy's don't like to teach/mentor new people until an investment into the sport is made (usually time). To be very competitive you have to be dedicated to it and find the discipline at the field to practice precision flying week in and week out during the contest season. This is the key ingredient that causes most to drop out, the dedication to it, it's still fun,but it can also feel like a second job.
Everyone coming into pattern or Imac should set realistic goals to accomplish every season, whether it's to just fly and have fun, associate with friends or be the serious student that studies the game book for game day. I’ve been both,when it gets to serious..., I have to remind myself it’s a hobby, not my profession and just get out and have some fun.
The pattern district I fly in use to be pretty bad on judging with preference points going to the good ol'e "click" buddy! That has since stopped..., for the most part, so I hear. With peer judging you're going to have those hurdles or challenges from time to time. I didn't fly last season (once and felt snubbed) this season I didn't compete, but I practiced every weekend. Next year 2015, I'm going to fly both IMAC and Pattern, more pattern, because the district is smaller, but that's still under consideration...,lol.
JohnFH, Feel free to PM me anytime, if you have questions about getting in precision flying. I don't mind sharing knowledge..
Bill
Originally Posted by
JohnFH
And the participation thread dies.
Exactly what is happening to participation.
Couple of new people expressed an interest, did all you veterans jump up and say "Hey welcome, how can we help you get involved?" "What can we do to help bring "Pattern" to your club?(We love guests and guest presentations at our club meetings)"
As a new person looking in, I get the feeling that your really not interested in having new people become involved.
Bill covered it pretty well. I plan on learning to fly the "Patterns" because I want to and I think that type of flying is cool. Will I be heading to any contests? Probably not.
Last edited by AmericanSpectre505; 11-05-2014 at 08:51 AM.