While I'm happy to help in any way possible. I will say that joining a club is the single greatest way to improve your skills. The second is to align yourself with the guys that seem to beat you in the competition arena. I strongly feel that competition improvers the breed!
I am actually changing clubs next year. This has been an off year for me- not much flying. I have to say, the people that have an interrest close to mine in this area are no where near to me. It is amazing, every time I brought up the idea of any pattern or classic pattern contest or interrest, I got the 40 mile stare! It is really frustrating. Everyone was interrested in the aircraft, but they'd never try because no one wants to build or participate. Too much 3D, which is ok, I guess, but I think precision flying gets lost in translation sometimes.
There is a club north of me that engages pattern. These are the only guys giving me a chance to do the flying I enjoy. I simply haven't been able to hook up with any of them yet this year. They sound like a great group of flyers!
Maybe I can work with them to bring ballistic and classic pattern to the area. I'm hoping to get to the Chicago event next year. Rusty Dose has commented he thinks it will be put on next year as well.
I was a member in the M.A.S. club near DIA in Denver. There was talent there at the time as well.
I'll ge a new tach.
Thanks for all the help!
Brian