I think many of your ideas are terrific...for the most part. I'm hoping all this discussion gets noticed by the USSMA board of directors.
Don't take this wrong now......why AREN'T you a member? I'd like to hear your reasons and that goes for any others paying attention to this thread. Although not a requirement, I for one feel that competitors in USSMA events should be members. Kind of like "What can I do for the organization rather than what can it do for me?"
I don't compete - currently when I do attend I help in the pits with a competitor. I would like to compete, but I had to face the facts years ago that I just didn't have the time.
I really haven't asked them to do anything for "me". I can do something for them, in less then an hour with a half dozen phone calls - write a revised rule book. I'm glad to do it. In fact given that chance, I could provide examples of how each specific change would improve not only the show, but the attendance. Past that, then a business plan/proposal needs to be formed to show sponsors and clubs that lays out "
this is what we are going to do for you, and this is how much money its worth if we land here"
Being a member serves no purpose in some aspect, because they are not listening to anyone.
Example below;
But didn't USSMA bring in a competition class for ARF's before Top Gun? Does Top Gun now allow ARF's?
and;
I have talked to a lot of CD's of qualifiers over the last couple years and one of the biggest complains was the major changes taking place yearly in the rules, more specifically the classes.
and;
We have several committees currently working on rule changes, minor ones, but that is another story, re-aligning our membership fees and "perks" to help get and retain members.
Really? Now I'm not knocking this guy, but I want you to think about what is being said. The CD's complain about the major changes? What? Where? Adding ARF's isn't a change, that is just a class. What changes in the rules. Static is the same, flight scoring is the same to my knowledge. What am I missing? The biggest change I have ever seen is when they decide how many flight lines they are going to run.
You are not a trend setter by adding ARF's. In fact, it probably is debatable if it is even a good idea. The information is flowing the wrong way. Top Gun doesn't need to watch Masters and grab that ARF idea, Masters need to look to T/G and find out how they make money, invite competitors and by the way, have no membership.
This isn't a new deal, and in fact there were some Masters "Brass" milling around the conversation about a new format in Hemet, but there was no real interest. This 'group' including myself are business owners, who make decisions on how to offer a product and attract customers (product = Masters, customers = competitors). You would be sadly mistaken if you would come to the conclusion this just happened. Judging has been under criticism for years, there have been other ideas proposed - but nothing has ever changed except the decline of entrants.
The last quote; 'rule changes, minor ones' - wrong answer. This is like the Captain of the Titanic saying he is going to make a "course change, a minor one". You grab a sheet of paper, start from contest Thursday and go until contest Sunday and come up with something new. Changes are new flight routines, add a 'realism' judge to the static, add a protest phase to give competitors a fair shake and give them a feeling they have a chance - a reason to attend. There is nothing to be scared of, the worst is already here.
I have one I want to throw out there: If Frank Tiano reads this what are the odds he will change his flight rules/routine? In my view, you need to talk to and listen to everyone. If I were the USSMA and a neighborhood kid had an idea, jump on it - forget the membership as a requirement to listen. When I run into problems, manufacturing, whatever - I get a hold of somebody and ask some opinions, and what you get is "
you know, I have an idea" - you have to constantly change.
Dennis