ORIGINAL: Balsawings
The one point no one seems to realize is that no one is going to change the SPA from the outside. If you are not a member of the SPA then your opinion counts for absolutely nothing. You can stand back and complain all you want but the SPA is not going to change. Look at the growth the SPA is going through. If the format wasn't working then maybe they would think about making some changes, but it is working and hundreds of members are enjoying contests based on classic pattern airplanes.
If you want to fly ballistic, then quite sitting in front of your computer, typing posts complaining about the SPA. Start doing some organizing and start your own SIG (special interest group) and hold your own contests.
And before any of you start flaming here, I'm currently flying a Curare with retracts. I like the ballistic planes just as much as the next guy. I'm just tired of hearing you guys complain about something you have just as much right to enjoy as the next guy, but would rather bch about than join in the fun.
Enough said.
Bob Cox
I didn't realize we were complaining. The original question just asked "what should CLASSIC PATTERN be?" It's a very pie in the sky sort of question, so I thought we were free to shoot the moon for our desires and let people know what we like.
I don't think the original poster intended us to list "gripes" against the SPA, but I think some have come out as points for discussion to air out the opinions and perhaps understand the reasons behind why things are the way they are.
I don't know about you, but I'm the sort of person who doesn't like rules unless I understand the wisdom behind them. To your point, yes, I have taken my toys and gone elsewhere (far far away from the SPA) so I'm gonna do my own thing anyway. But I think we all realize there is a lot of common ground to be had.