When I started soaring I would show up at the flying field with my built up plane and be amazed at the other "hi tech" planes. And more amazing the pilots that flew them. This all appeared untouchable by me at the moment. When I started out in the SOAR club I was not even aware of the monthly contests. "NATS, what was that?" But there was this cool achievement program, LSF, that I could work towards and I would be proving to myself that I am getting better. Simple tasks, (at least from todays aspect), that challenged my new flying skills. Oh the exhilaration of getting that first 5 minute thermal. I felt like I was 16 years old again. :-) Then when I started Level 2 I realized I would have to show up at these contests to gain points for the Level 2 requirements. The SOAR contests are like being at a "mini NATS". At any contest you usually have at least a couple of pilots that have held some sort of national level status. With many others close on their heels. But what did I care I was their just to get points. Well by the time I finished my level 2 contest points I was starting to enjoy these contests. Even though I was at or near the bottom each contest, It was enjoyable to meet and chat with the many SOAR members from south as well as north. (SOAR club membership covers an of about 70 miles by 130 miles.) It wasn't until I bought a HL glider that I thought I might have a chance at winning a contest. HLGs were a minority in SOAR club. Jim Bacus, Bruce Hobbs, and I joined together and started driving to the out of state HL contests, Indiana and Ohio. By now I was eager to compete. Level 2 was soon out of the way. I thought I was getting better. On to Level 3. Now I need even more points. No problem, armed with a new ship and with the LSF NATs it's a great place to rack up contest points. I was very happy with my standings at the NATs it gave me enough points so I could complete the contest portion. So after a summer of contests, I reflect back, and would have never fathomed that I would ever care about competing for trophies. (They sure look nice on the walls though.) I still look at LSF achievements as personal goals. And in the process of pursuing them, they are building and strengthening my soaring skills. Better yet it has allowed me to meet new people and build new friendships. (many new friends in Ohio, you guys are great.) See you guys on the contest circuit soon. Remember, contests are suppose to be fun. One goal and return away from LSF 3 Steve Steve Meyer http://www.mcs.net/~stmeyer/ [EMAIL PROTECTED] S.O.A.R. in Gurnee, IL S.O.A.R. Web Page http://www.mcs.net/~stmeyer/SOAR/ RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
