ORIGINAL: AAbdu
I agree with everyone else[8D]
Also
I LOOOOOVVVEEEEE aviation, and the miracle of controlled flight. Nothing and I mean NOTHING flies like a pattern plane. Competing with one just comes naturally, it makes sense.
Not competing in pattern if you own a pattern plane (and everyone should) Is like having a souped up car and not pulling up next to some guy at a light and revving the engine. It's the adrenaline rush of putting your best against his/her best and seeing what happens. Pattern and competition are the essence of manliness (grunt grunt grunt), the preparation, the focus, the intensity, when I fly and compete it gives me a chance to learn something about myself in a competitive but friendly and supportive environment. There is nowhere to hide on the flightline! Do I have the mental toughness to be my best when the pressure is on, or will I crap out and land three maneuvers before the end of my pattern, or fuel the wrong airplane, or forget which direction I need to roll or which rudder to give. How do you know if you will choke under pressure without putting yourself in the pressure cooker? How can you improve your performance underr pressure without practicing under pressure (competition).
Oh, and the people aren't bad either! I love my pattern friends.
Damn I got myself all excited... Where's my wife... COME HERE WOMAN it's time for some low passes[sm=48_48.gif]
One other thing. Big time RC and by extension the pursuit of pattern is insane! No one but other pattern people understand what the hell is wrong with me to do this for fun.
Anthony
Plus it's the only place that AA can wear his Sponge Bob Square Pants PJ's in public and get away with it. And I mean that Cat!
For me it's the place to be. It's unexplanable. I just have to be there. I'm fearsly competive and it allows me to show off my skills and gauge them against other crazy people who think the same way. This sport is so rare in it's mindset that you have to go to confirm your not alone in your insane passion. It's a Coo Coo's nest. The personality traits are so diverse too. The sport also has a diverse demographic and you get to establish some meaningful lasting relationships with some pretty special people.
Earl said it best. Pattern guys are a cut above average and you'll benefit in life from your association with them. Mike Mueller