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Changing gears for a second...

Some guys still seem to be missing the point. We're not bickering with SPA...at least not intentionally. But I do admit we get a little worn by SPA seeming to have some sort of problem with us. The cold and simple fact is that we WANT to fly and compete together with SPA guys and thier OWN planes. That's why the rules are so wide open in BPA, and that's what we wanted years ago, and that's why BPA was started...because SPA wouldn't budge on the rule set. But we're not angry or bitter, we just accepted the fact that they weren't going to change and we shouldn't try any longer.

That left us only one course of action, which was to begin our own organization and invite THEM to fly with US. THEN there is no us vs them, it's just us.

There is no official BPA organization as a SIG...because we have no interest in competing with SPA, and I hope they don't see it that way. We simply wanted something that didn't exist. We hoped that the logic of being a natural fit with the idea of SPA would make things easier and better for everyone, but the powers that be in SPA do not see it that way. After many years (search these forums) of practically begging, we decided to do it ourselves. With or without help.

So there is no bickering and whatntot coming from here. No abrasiveness, no confrontation, just explaination. If the explanation seems abrasive, that's because the BPA was founded due to the ice cold fact that we were told, sometimes very coldly, to go jump in a lake. That wasn't our doing. But we only had 2 choices, which were CLEARLY outlined: forget it and fly a SPA legal plane in an SPA event (which is not what we were interested in simply due to the planes themselves) or do it ourselves.....

The rest is history. No anger, bitterness or whatnot. Only solutions and opportunities.

-M
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I don't really know how to respond to a barrage of "explanation" like this. All I can say after reading Mike's extended comments is, if I were in SPA, (and I am), I wouldn't feel all that warm--and--fuzzy about how he views the SPA/BPA relationship--despite his claims to the contrary. I sure feel I'm being yelled at by an angry man with very inflammatory rhetoric--that may be his style, but it is not helpful if his aim is to bring the groups together. Just count the number of references to "BS". That is not something I'd say to someone unless I wanted to argue with them. That talk is not coming from me or SPA.

I think I've about had it with this thread. I feel I, (as well as Eric and Steve) have, explained the best we know how the differences, (and more importantly--the similarities), between the organizations. After attending the first BPA event in Hunstville, I actually came away somewhat changed, and hoping the two groups could develop their relationship over time, and perhaps even merge someday, however after this discussion, I don't see how that's possible unless the negatives are toned down. We need to look for similarities, not nit-pick at each difference.

I felt, (and still feel) that the Florida organizers put a lot of thought into this issue when they organized their meet, and did the very best they could to promote both types of flying. They needed to take into consideration the way SPA is structured, the traditions that have developed since 1991, and the importance of "Masters Points" to SPA members. Understandably, it may not mean much to those in BPA, but I feel there should be an appreciation that the Florida people are trying hard for a bigger umbrella, and have a heart-felt desire to bring the groups together.

There are a lot of SPA members that want to promote better ties with BPA--I've talked with them. Remember things don't change overnight, but they never will change if there are constant negative "vibes" in RCU threads. Let's promote the positive without further "explanations"--they have been adequately described.

Enough said by me

Duane