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 ------------------------------ 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 few rounds of two minute precision. That's how I learned to land on the spot on time over 30 years ago and it can be done with an Oly II or Gentle Lady. And be sure to have a Novice class with best trophies for them. I have been flying contests on one type or another since 1950 and I don't really care for another trophy unless it is for a really important contest. For the rest, just announce my name if I place. Of course I don't have to worry about that very often any more. :-) Chuck Anderson ------------------------------ End of Soaring V1 #8233 *********************** RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. 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