Combat is in two weeks and it will be my tired old FNS that's gonna do the butt kicking

Actually, I wasn't thinking of any spicific designs, just going by experience, what would have gotten me into combat (or get back into it now) years ago, and by what has been successful and not so successful in the years I've tried promoting combat. There is a small percentage of pilots that dive into it and spend money and time on it and are really passionate about it. These are the minority. Here's the biggest thing I've learned. Give or take some starting and some leaving every year...these are the guys already doing it. Promoting club combat. Joining the RCCA. The 10%ers. I have come to believe that combat is already where it's going to be participation wise...in general. Some people think it can grow. I am one of them, but not the way it is now. It will take something drastic...something like I mentioned in my last post. A lot of guys who witness combat think it cool as heck. A very small percentage (the 10%ers) will take it upon themselves to research it, spend money, and get involved....but...hand Joe 90% guy a plane and tell him to go home and hang an old engine on it...and I bet he comes back ready to at least try it. Good in theory...but the way things are now..he comes back...but the bar is so stinkin hight that he is obliterated and slaughtered and destroyed, and never knew what hit him. Kind of hard to convince Joe 90%er to come back. Tell him he needs to buy new equipment, or learn new building techniques, or buy an expensive airframe, or a new high powered engine etc...etc...and yes, you'll get a 10%er (some come and some go every year)...but all the Joe90%ers are long gone.

Now, tell Joe that for $15 (includes lunch) he can enter the contest next weekend. Tell him to scrounge up an old engine and bring a radio. Tell him not to worry about a plane, they are provided as part of the entry fee...and he will be shown how to build it right there at the field. Then tell Joe not to worry about getting creamed...everyone else will be flying the same plane. I personally think you'll interest a lot of Joes.