Original from the “FLORIDA VINTAGE PATTERN ASSOCIATION CONTEST” thread

grcourtney wrote:

“Why can't the BPA style and the SPA style compete head to head!!!!??? That would get me to drive from north AL. to Orlando!!! As proven from our contest here in Huntsville there is no disparity between the power plants just ask Don,Jason, Joe or Ryan they were here... “



gary



I would like to apologize to those here and to you particularly Mike. I carried my feelings from the above quote over to this thread. Since I was instrumental in starting the Florida Vintage Pattern Association, I took it personally (probably too personally) when someone makes that kind of comment in a thread about a contest that was designed with a format to include BPA planes. My first thought when I read the comment was: “We try to include you guys and it’s not good enough for you?”

Don’t get me wrong, I like BPA as much as any of you. My next build is a Calypso with retracts and pipe. The problem is there is no national organization for the BPA so we had to start a chapter of the SPA. As such we will fallow the rules that have been set down by the SPA. I personally will not have a .91 powered Vintage pattern plane. I don’t agree with the rule but it’s already there so I will accept it. That’s just the way it has to be.

I personally hold no animosity towards any BPA plane or anyone who fly’s one and deep down would like to see them mixed right in with the SPA planes and pilots (as long as they’re all using .61 size engines). In the end it’s going to be the best pilot who goes home with the hardware.

Bob Cox
SPA 374