Being a sport pilot for almost all of my soaring career, and only recently
having participated in contests and finishing close to the bottom, let me
say that I truly do understand the need for folks to be competitive and that
competition and practice for competitions does make one a better pilot and
at a faster pace than just sport flying will achieve.
But, it seems that sailplaners, of all the RC aircraft groups, are the most
competition oriented of all. As an example of what I am talking about, my
power club in Meridian, composed of probably 15 occasional and 7 or 8
"regulars" never wants to do anything but fly. They don't seem to feel any
need to compete anywhere with anyone; they just come out and fly and
socialize.
When I go to a competition as a participant, I will play by the rules of the
day. If I do well, I'll be happy. If a rule causes me to zero a round, I'm
happy just to have the opportunity to play.
If someone drives 1000 miles and is upset when he zeros a round due to a
popoff (and the attendant rule), and he lets it "ruin his weekend", I have
to say "oh, well". I can see being upset with yourself for messing up, but
if you can't take such a situation in stride and have fun, then you
shouldn't be driving 1000 miles to a contest in the first place. I don't
think driving 1000 miles (or any other specific distance) for that matter
should make the rules apply less to that person.
The event organizers have reasons for the rules they make. They are the
ones that have "real work" to do to put on and CD these events. Pay and
play or stay home is everyone's choice. If you pay, come to play. If you
stay home, what fun is that?
I attended the Woodcrafters fun fly/competition a couple weeks ago and the
rules played against me and my son and we finished close to the bottom of
the pack in scores, but right at the top in fun. BTW, we drove 900 miles to
get to the event. I would go again tomorrow if I could.
These opinions are my own. You are free to agree or disagree and, of
course, you are entitled to your own opinions.
Ed Jett
Marion, MS
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <soaring@airage.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 9:23 PM
Subject: [RCSE] pop offs...not good, rule worse
I recently flew the OVSS Cincinatti and managed to take some wood...
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