Hi all

I'm really not sure where to post this. The scalemasters web site has a forum section but is not too heavily trafficed. I thought I might start here. This is only my own opinion but is intended to prompt some healthy discussion.

I have been building and competing in scale events for nearly 30 years. I am no where close to the real masters...those guys that build and fly superlatively....closely followed by the outstanding builders who find the outstanding pilots to fly their extraordinary creations. I admire those pilots skilled enough to qualify for Top Gun. I have only qualified and flown once in the Scalemasters (and finished poorly). There...now you know this post is from a relatively lowly competitor simply expressing an opinion. My desire is to establish the Scalemasters on the same footings as Top Gun. Years ago, the Nationals would have been the third member of this trioka but somewhere, it lost it's "elan". This is not to denegrate the contestants; many of whom fly in both Top Gun and the Scalemasters but the competition itself has lost something becoming more akin to a fly-in or a low key competition.....

As most of us know, the US Scalemasters was founded on a dream of superlative scale competition. I actually was priviledged to speak with Harris about a year prior to his death. A more humble gentlemen, you would never find. He flew Hellcats in the second world war and had a passion for scale competition. At the time, he was growing concerned that the competition would fade as interest was being diverted away from scale modeling. He annointed Earl Aune to carry on the dream and Earl and his wife, Josie worked tirelessly to keep the competition vibrant and growing but it took it's toll. Covering the costs of putting on a competition and trying to locate a suitable venue each year, alternating between east and west was a tough challenge. Though the numbers are holding relatively steady each year, there does not seem to be the growth that one might hope to see.

Top Gun has established itself as the pre-eminent scale competition drawing contestants from all over the world. One reason is the tireless efforts of Frank Tiano, who is a born promoter. Another is the solid venue at Lakeland Airport in Florida and the third, I believe, is the fact that it stays in the same place every year! Venues really are the foundation of a successful event. Yes, one must have a safe and well organized event but without the venue, no one will show up!

My proposal to grow the US scalemasters championships follows this basic premise. I would propose that this fine competition locate an outstanding venue and stay there! I would further propose that the scalemasters must recognize that Top Gun has the east coast wrapped up. Therefore, the scalemasters must locate in the west! I understand that the great mid-america is left with a drive in either direction but the fact is that the population centers are on the east and west coasts. As far as a suitable venue, I would recommend finding an outstanding site in the Las Vegas area. Picking an Oct/Nov competition date will allow contestants to enjoy nearly perfect weather. For years, the old QSAA held a huge fly-in just outside Vegas on a dry lakebed. This drew an international crowd. Las Vegas provides entertainment away from the competition which is extremely important for those with spouses who grow weary of sitting at model airplane competitions for days on end. Once upon a time, owner Bill Bennett of Circus Circus sponsored the Tournament of Champions, a pattern event. Once Bill passed on, the competition died but during it's heyday, it drew a large crowd. Once comfortably esconed in the area, it may be possible to locate a willing sponsor or two to help the competition defray some of the costs. If potential competitors know the location each year, they can plan to attend much earlier than they can currently do now due to the fact that they may not be close enough to the following year's event to attend.

While I believe these competitions should remain within reach of the "average" modeler (not require a 7 figure checking account to field a competitive plane), I also believe that the Scalemasters will have to start attracting a larger following or risk a slow, spiral into irrelevance and the only way to do this is to plant it in a venue which will draw potential competitors in greater numbers.

So that's it...my thoughts and only my thoughts. Some (or many) may completeley disagree. I would like to hear others opinions.