Right now the two powerplants are virtually equal. Everyone is partial to their favorite, but they both work and work well. The top pilots in any class could certainly be competitive with either type of power. I am smart enough to realize that in the future, that might not always be the case, but at least for the next few years it will be. Pattern is always going to be expensive. If someone wants to TRY pattern and do it cheaper, then buying the latest and greatest isnt the answer. Pick up a used plane, a used OS 1.40RX or something and go fly. No weight problems there. There are also MANY 1.10 size electrics out there now that will ALL make weight with cheaper equipment. Whether flying glow or electric, you are going to have to pay attention to detail to ensure the plane is under weight. Regardless of how much we like to act like it wont change anything, the top level guys will always go for the competitive advantage and spend more. If you do much changing of the rules it will have an effect. It might let a few more people play (although I seriously doubt it), but it will also change the cost to keep up at the top. I really don't think that whether airplanes are processed at the beginning of the NATS or just in the finals will have any impact on whether people show up. With the cost of scales available today there really isnt an excuse to not know the weight of your plane. It really isn't that difficult with most setups to save a few ounces if needed. Pattern or any type of competition is going to cost money.

I realize that changing the weight limits will allow electrics to play cheaper, but then arent you punishing glow pilots? I don't see the cost of glow fuel going down anytime soon. Even if someone goes gas, although I have really yet to see a competitive gas setup, and giving a few ounces isnt going to change that. Although the cost of gas isn't cheap either.

As Dave has said several times, the cost of electrics is coming down and has been for some time. The cost of the middle of the road stuff, probably wont change much, but it probably isnt all that competitive either. I could go out tomorrow and swap all my stuff for OS 1.60's and save money. Tony, you could swap your stuff to the E-flite motors, but I don't think either of us will do it as it does put us at a competitive disadvantage. Both systems would probably get us through the masters sequence, but you have to admit that your Neu setup and my YS setup are a step up from the "middle of the road" stuff. I find it funny how people fly pattern with 12X and 14MZ radio and then complain about the cost of the smaller stuff. Save 1000 bucks on a radio as we don't need all the features and spend it on other items. I understand pattern costs money, and I am not going to give up my 14MZ, or my YS equipment, but I would say hitting 7-8 contets, plus the NATS each year, I spend that much on travel alone.

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