LSF and Contest Flying
I can't speak about other leagues that run sailplane contests as I have only
flown in club contests and Eastern Soaring League events. However, the
Eastern Soaring League is taking some very proactive steps to bring in the
new flyers and show them the fun of contest flying.
This year a novice class was added to sportsman and expert. Registration
has been free or a minimal fee with typically reduced requirements on the
time and/or landing precision needed to score points. This will be the farm
team where new flyers can learn about contest flying. If they want to work
toward their LSF levels, this will certainly qualify.
We have started to see a growing interest in this novice class, but it does
not happen by itself. It takes one on one sponsorship from individuals
willing to take on a mentor like position to coax and support the new
contest guys. Competition is very very scary when you have never done it
before. The barrier can look very high, but with just a little help and
support, that wall gets real small real fast. Just an announcement of a
contest is not enough.
The LISF 2 Eastern Soaring League contest will have 6 novice class pilots.
Four will be from the local soaring club. However even in the midst of an
active soaring club, this took promotion and encouragement on the part of
active members who have flown contests before. The focus of the discussions
has been more about the fun and friendships formed than about winning. You
need a friend to invite you to the game.
These novice pilots are not all rookie flyers. Some have years on the
sticks, but have never even considered contest flying. Now that they have
registered and committed to flying a contest, they are excited and actively
working on tuning their planes and working on their skills. Whether they
place or not, they will be stronger pilots just due to the preparations they
have made. And they are helping each other prepare. Isn't that the whole
purpose of contest flying?
None of these guys are flying the latest contest machines. But they needed
someone to reinforce that these ships were OK for contest flying. Two will
be flying 2M wood ships. One will be flying a 2M foamie and one a 100 inch
glass ship that he just purchased used, his first pure sailplane.
I flew my first contest with a 2M RES plane. I was encouraged to do so. My
mentors emphasized that I didn't have to have a hot shot 3M plane to join
the party. With the help of friends, I flew the tasks and took whatever
scores, and I had so much fun. I received help and encouragement from
masters of the air who gave me positive reinforcement. I could not wait
till the next event.
Based on my skills, more than my plane, I never really expected to win, so I
was never disappointed. Winning was to be a journey, or so it was explained
to me. You may never get there, but the trip can be so much fun!
This is what has been shared with these new contest pilots. Discussion has
not been about the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, but the fun of
the event, the great people you meet, the opportunity to become a better
pilot through the tremendous learning opportunity presented.
If we want to get more people involved in soaring, if we want to encourage
them to advance their skills, we have to take it upon ourselves to reach out
to them, one on one, and talk up the fun, not the prize. The idea of a
contest scared the heck out of me. But I had strong supporters who
encouraged me, and helped me prepare. Now I would hate to miss it so much
that I plane to travel to some away contests next season.
There may be value in a new organization but that is not the problem. What
we need are more mentors and sponsors and friends who are willing to help
the new guys across that small hump that looks like a great wall to them.
And then we have to encourage them to help the next guy over the wall.
Best Regards,
Ed Anderson
Long Island Silent Flyers
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Date: Thu, 07 Sep 2006 23:52:00 -0500
From: Chuck Anderson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Jim Porter [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: soaring@airage.com
Subject: Re: [RCSE] LSF Discussion
Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
At 11:13 PM 9/7/2006, you wrote:
snip
These DO NOT have to be a blood and guts type of contest, merely an
opportunity to fly together, thereby learning from each other and improving
the overall skill level. When the other local flyers see how much fun is
being had they will join in, even if they KNOW they have not a whisper of a
chance to win. They are there because it's FUN. And, this does not
require
a $2,000 moldie and a $600+ computer radio - it can be done with a 'lowly'
Gentle Lady, Spirit, Aspire or HOB 2 x 4.
I think that's what is wrong with so many current contests with the
emphasis on win, win, win and not enough emphasis on fun. Why not
back off a little and put some fun back. Fly events that don't
require a moldie. Maybe a round of three-for-fifteen and a
