Absolutely, I never meant my post as a bash against SPA or AMA pattern. SPA is obviously an event to enshrine the past days of pattern in a well-defined bubble. Obviously they do a fine job and should keep doing what they are doing. However, I was just trying to point out that from a long-term strategic view they can expect a slow decline in numbers over the years. That is fine as long as everyone participating knows that is the plan and is happy with it.

It appears to me that the CPA has the potential to be a copy of the SPA, just using a different slice of time for the airplane and maneuver designs. If that turns out to be the case, then CPAwill suffer the same long-term fate as the SPA. Once again, if that is one of the design goals, so be it. However, I am assuming that the leadership of the CPA would like to start an organization that will grow and attract new members in the future instead of watching the numbers peak early and slowly decline over the years.

Every few months and almost every issue of the K-Factor, the subject of increasing participation comes up. Everyone has "great ideas", but in the end nothing ever really changes and NSRCA numbers remain right at 600-700 year after year after year. The definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome". If after all of these years to trying "new things" (but not really), then you have to just face the fact that it ain't gonna happen and go back to your knitting.