ORIGINAL: mwick
I don't believe it is a matter of turn around or pre turn around. What has happened in the same time frame is the advent of IMAC, essentially splitting the competitive community in two. When a flyer gets to the point they want to compete he has a choice in precision aerobatics.
He can take the same plane he flys at the club fly-in, local big-bird, or a friend's club and with some setup and trimming can fly an IMAC schedule that doesn't require a specific purpose plane to be competitive.
His practice routine consists of rolls and snaps, rolling turns, etc, much more fun than trying to draw a square or a six-sided loop on center. When he goes to a contest, it is a much lighter atmosphere, with people joking about zero's on a maneuver, flying their planes after the last round and staying past dark just to talk with everybody. If he performs a well-executed spin, but is off center, he is rewarded with a good score, not hammered because he missed center.
I also found it interesting that the age group at the last IMAC contest was generally 20-40, the demographic that pattern seems to be missing, and, at least in theory, the age group with the most demands on their time.
Pattern is demanding in terms of practice time and specific purpose planes. It appeals to a small group of perfectionists. I wouldn't forecast any growth in pattern and perhaps pattern should be reserved for those who strive to be the best and have the time and resolve to pursue it.
^^ I agree with this guy's point of view, whoever he is.
P.S. Brett if your reading this, you need to be out practicing the six sided loop.
That wouldn't be a problem if I didn't need someone to come to the field with me DAD.
Tommy, the intermediate pattern was getting boring for me because I had flown it so much and the only things I really had left to fix were things that I could work on on more challenging patterns. Like my dad said I don't think it has anything to do with turn around or pre turn around, but rather with the advent of IMAC and split in the competitive community. Some guys want a more relaxed atmosphere where they can BS with their friends and "laugh about zeros".
What it all boils down to is that I prefer pattern, so it doesn't really matter what everyone else is doing. Do what you like doing most.