I fly SPA-legal planes since I love the simplicity and low cost of these early pattern planes, yet since they ARE designed as pattern planes, they fly like a pattern plane....(smoothly), and go right where you point them. And best of all, they are capable of doing beautiful precision maneuvers if you practice them some. Planes like the Taurus, Kwik Fly, Dirty Birdy etc also make great sport planes, and cost no more than some modern planes that don't fly as well.

The Taurus, Kwik Fly, and larger King Altair, (see attached) are all offered as laser-cut kits by Jeff at www.Homeandhobbysolutions.net . The Dirty Birdy is from Blue Jay, there is a Compensator kit etc etc. and there are many other kits coming out now, if you ask a few questions.

As I said in my "Vintage Aerobatics" article for Model Aviation, younger pilots don't view these planes as pieces of nostalgia; they look at them as neat good flying planes, built for areobatics, that you can compete with if desired in the lower levels of AMA pattern, and certainly SPA contests. They are challenging, and a "blast" to fly. All these so-called "OLD" plane designs are NEW to them...it's the fun of flying them, along with the competition that counts, so I believe organizations like SPA have the potential for a bright future. SPA membership continues to grow quickly and branch out across the country. New chapters are being formed and competitions staged. We just held TWO REGIONAL judges clinics last weekend in different states...a first for SPA, and already have as many active members in April of this year as we had at the peak of last year's flying season. We're getting new members every week as word is spreading The larger it gets, the faster membership grows. In Florida, they are now becoming experienced at flying combined SPA/BPA contests, with some big names in pattern competing.

Yes I think SPA/BPA has a bright future ahead.

Duane