The format is fine the way it is. A pilot thinks he/she is ready to move up..., move up. The scoring system will sort that out on it's own, with all things being fair and equal. The last thing we need are more rules and regulation to a sport that is struggling to maintain an identity. Our ranking system is the consistent finishes in all the class at the NATS. The same people attend every year, mostly every year... The rank and file of finishing orders. The same can be said for the local district standing. People move up, maintain or move down and it's called competitiveness of self evaluation.

The pattern community can do one major thing to help it's cause........ Establish a fair and reasonable price for a two meter plane that costs on average 2K for an air frame only. We can purchase top of the line competition 40% IMAC ARFs for less. Get a handle on that and pattern will grow again.......

Bill