Well, if you figure on an average inflation rate of 4%, then those 1986 prices are now 219% higher, so the Futaba radio is now $1095, etc. The engines have certainly gotten more expensive, but you can also buy an OS 1.60 for less than half the YS DZ and still get a very competitive aircraft. Everything else is cheaper in today's dollars than in 1986.

I suppose I might as well throw my $0.02 in, too. I am a non-competitive flyer who happens to love pattern planes and flying with more precision and effort at improvement than the duffer Sunday flier. I can't imagine ever competing due to other time constraints. I don't think that cost has much to do with the lack of participation. At many fields there are often large scale aerobatics planes flown that cost just as much or more than a top level 2M pattern plane and no one seems to complain about those prices. The perception has always been that pattern is expensive (and it is), it was so in the late 80's when I took up R/C and is still so today. I think the biggest reason for lack of participation has already been mentioned - the time investment required. It takes a lot of time flying and practicing the same maneuver over and over to get it really good. And that is pretty dull. And then there is the time involved in competing, with travel, weekends away, etc. Then look at IMAC and 3D/freestyle/artistic aerobatics. There is less discipline involved (I'm not slagging IMAC, it is hard to compete there as well) and everything is slipperier, looser and generally more entertaining and better entertainment for the time invested. I think society is generally busier than it was 20 years ago and people have to be more efficient and careful with their spare time. Which counts heavily against pattern.

Also, if you go out to your local field with a 2M pattern ship a few people will wonder over to take a look and then wander off, probably commenting on how expensive that gee-whiz pattern plane is. Now show up with a 40% Yak or Extra and see how many people come over for a look and talk. And when the subject of cost comes up, everyone is in awe of the mighty beast and doesn't walk away thinking "what a waste of money". This all makes IMAC and giant scale very attractive and pattern less so. And of course, it has been mentioned that there are now options that simply didn't exist 20 years ago, with helis, electrics, etc. splintering the groups up more.

I am not sure there is a solution to increasing the numbers, because anything that lowers the time investment also affects the competition level and effort required that make pattern what it is.


Mark