Hmm, Here we have a case of the organizers of the status quo, the same status quo that seems to be lacking in attendance, telling me that the problem is mine, not theirs, that I must have a problem.... So far the responses that I have gotten, aside from the guy who thinks I am unpatriotic, indicate that I am not alone.
Yes, you are right. Asher is great guy. So is Rusty. Pete too. There should be an Asher or a Pete or a Paul in every community. I'll bet if you look, wherever there is an active soaring community you will find guys like that, they are the reason for the community. But they are in the minority. There is only so much they can do. We need more like them. The question seems to be, how do we increase attendance at contests? My answer is that we need to make the contests more enjoyable such that guys will be willing to go. If something isn't working, simply repeating it over and over generally won't produce different results. The mere fact that I am speaking honestly about what I see and offering suggestions for change, and I am being told that I must be the one with the problem and that my agenda is simply to complain should be further proof of my point. Yeah that's it, kill the messenger..... So, I offer and introduce into evidence, EXHIBIT B! Lee Estingoy Overland Park, KS ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Derstine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Lee Estingoy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Daryl Perkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2002 7:22 AM Subject: RE: [RCSE] Contest Participation > Well apparently you don't seem to fit in anywhere Lee. I am sorry for that. > I have not found any of what you have stated at any aerotow events.(I have > been to more than a few) If your agenda is to complain then so be it. I > can't help that. > You tend to take away what you bring to an event. If you are not willing to > bring safe equipment, and follow basic flite line safety, and courtesy > procedures, then I gues you might be better off staying home. Public > gatherings are not for everyone. > > No argument that all of model aviation is an increasingly older group, we > are basically the baby boomers, with few demographics to support new people > entering the hobby in significant numbers to counteract that age curve. > > I have never been involved with a group (as in sale soaring), where there is > a more helpful attitude towards newcomers wanting to learn. I have seen > veteran pilots turn over their transmitters to new guy with a $4000.00 > sailplane at the other end. There are not two friendlier and nicer guys than > Asher Carmicael and Rusty Rood, who run the Pensacola event. Pete George at > St. Louis, is one of the most forthright and pro active supporters of > aerotowing sailplanes, always willing to support new pilots at events. Your > comments tell me the problem is yours. > John Derstine > > -----Original Message----- > From: Lee Estingoy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, November 27, 2002 9:13 PM > To: John Derstine; Daryl Perkins; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [RCSE] Contest Participation > > > John, > > Good ideas, but I don't see that bearing out here. The aerotow events bring > out even older and crankier guys. > > > 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. 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.
