One explanation of the problem, and one that hints at its solution, is that the Novice class is actually serving two unrelated functions. One is to serve as a means of introducing pilots to SPA pattern competition. Hence the ruling that one need not use an SPA legal aircraft. This is an excellent recruiting tool, but it does pit non-SPA planes against vintage designs. The second purpose is to act as the first level of pattern competition in the series of classes. Thus, there is a significant number of SPA pilots who fly in the Novice class and compete for the annual championship. Trying to have the Novice class serve dual functions - a recruiting tool and a serious SPA competition class - is the root of the problem.

So, why is it this way? I am relatively new to SPA competition, as this is my first year actively competing in SPA, although I've been a member since 2004. I am flying Sportsman this year, but will advance to Expert next year. As near as I can tell, one reason for the current structure is to keep the number of different classes small so as to reduce the cost for the sponsoring club and also to insure that each class has at least some contestants. As it is, the upper classes are underpopulated in some contests. But, SPA popularity is growing. Perhaps the Novice recruiting function is working.

What are possible solutions? The AMA had a solution back in the 80's - Novice was the intro class. Place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd beating at least 3 contestants and you moved up to Sportsman at the end of the year. After that, advancement was based on a point system determined by how many contestants you beat. If we had that system then many of our Novices would be flying in Sportsman already and the problem would largely go away.

However, it has been said by some that they aren't ready to fly in Sportsman since one has to learn both the slow roll and the 4-point roll as the pattern is currently set up. Indeed, some might stay away if forced to advance too rapidly. So, another piece of the solution could be to make the Novice/Sportsman transition less difficult and then increase the difficulty of the Sportsman/Expert transition. As it is, some think that that transition is currently too easy.

Faster advancement would help fill the upper classes and wold ease the log jam in Novice. Some have even advocated the addition of a Masters class so that the difficulty of the upper level class could be retained while lessening the difficulty of the steps between classes. As the number of contestants grows steps such as these become possible.

Jeff