Most of the discussions on skill classes are buried in threads that seem to get off on electrics verses glow. So what do you guys think of simply adding Sportsman to the existing classes? The main Carrier classes flown now are 1,2 15 and Profile. I know there are others being flown in parts of the country but am pretty sure these 4 are the base. We have already accepted Sportsman Profile and it seems to be doing well. If we add Sportsman to 15, 1 & 2 not much would change except it would give the beginner a class to fly whatever airplane he might bring to the party.

No rules would need to be changed and the guy that built an airplane from his past just for fun could fly it. Example, most of you probably remember Lee's Airabonita powered by a TT 36, Lee is what most refer to as a sports flyer and built it simply because he wanted to. If we had Class 1 Sportsman bet he could be talked into entering it in a contest. Without a Sportsman class he would have to fly against fire breathing 40's and experienced carrier pilots. Not to speak for Lee, but kinda hard to get excited about entering a contest of any kind knowing you are beat before you even start.

The only down side I see is the additional expense of trophies or awards for 8 carrier classes. Combining 1 & 2 seems to be an accepted practice which cuts it down to 6 classes.. I'm really liking this and unless someone comes up with something I am missing I would really like to try it at our Carrier contest this summer.

HOw about paring it down similar to stunt,,
Classic( or nostalgia) with no skill classes
Carrier ( basically anything goes with bonus for scale built up ala class one or two but an engine limit of say .46. this would be where skill classes would come in, say beginner, interm and expert. )
Profile class like stunt with two classes, expert and everyone else.

I KNOW its not how it was done, its not traditional,, but then traditional carrier went away during the floods,, oh I mean the epic much talked about rule change
Not absolutly sure how you would decide skill classes,, most likely on an honor system using peer pressure.
It works fairly well in stunt, there are a few here and there that linger in a class but usually they are "urged" to move up and do .

     Bob, I think you should try it in a local or regional contest near you. Prefably one that you will be one of the organizers, pitch man, gatherer of funds and all the things that go with putting on an event, especially an event to encourage more fliers. I'm pretty sure you have already been involved in the contest higher arch'ly so there wont be to many surprises, and report back on your findings and feelings of how it went.
     There are 6 carrier contest here on the west coast that I go to every year and I think we have tried a lot of different things to bring out carrier fliers to the contest with very mild results. One of the things that can create problems is carrier is just one (usually the smallest one) of many events being put on by the host. It is no secret that we would like to draw more contestants and believe it or not some in the other events don't appreciate our presence all that much (my feelings).
     We always tried to give 1st through 3rd trophy's in at least 3 or 4 events. Almost always there were trophy's left over and the host club was not very happy about that. they would have been much happier if all the trophy's had been handed out but that is not the way it goes in most carrier contest these days. So in the last couple of years events have been combined and percent of record used to determine who won and lost. The hosting clubs think we are doing the right thing by them (for them) when we do this but I don't think it turns out to be an encourager for new contestants.
     One thing we do in all of these contests is time all flights and send all of the results into the Hi-Low so they will show up in the top 20 lists so anyone one that shows up can fly what they bring and if it is covered in the top 20 list they will see their results (even if they don't belong to the NCS).
     So different regions end up doing things a certain way and others will do it some other way and only if you try something will you know if it will works. I'm looking forword to what happens this May at the NWR with the NW Sport 40 event.  Eric

Bob, break your contest down to Expert/Sportsman in Profile, Scale, and .15. Forget the rest of the mystic "13"  Go on an "honor System" basis and if somebody comes in and flys a very high score suggest they really belong in Expert,not Sportsman. For example, anything scoring over 250 in Profile should be put in Expert.  Anyone scoring over 271 In Scale should move to expert and anyone scoring over 200 in .15 needs to fly as an expert. I took a look at the top 20 scores for 2011 to make my scoring suggestion.
With your expertise in making instant awards you are really at an advantage that other groups should try.  This would do away with having tin throphies made in advanced with the en graving etc.

Joe Just

PS Does anyone really fly to get another tin pot award? Also after my computer problems earlier this week I see that I am back to being "Bigcountry joe", and my rotating throphy has dissapeard.  Never fear, I am and will always be your pal, Joe Just

Carrier planes with electric ducted fans ...oh..my> Tomcats/ F-18's/ etc. New EDF engines turn some awesome rpm's.

Years ago while a member of the Sky Devils of KCMo. we were flying F2C.   At the time we had to fly so many contests to qualify for the Team Trials.   The teams at the time were from Springfield Mo., KCK, Lincoln NE. and KCMo.   So that meant there were only so many teams at a contest.    Oh we did have a couple of teams from back east come and compete.   Trophies were not even thought of.   Bill Wright designed certificates for the contests to given out showing the place, date and winning/placing times.   So we would go to Omaha NE., Springfield Mo. or KCMo. to compete.   They were monthly get togethers in a way.   I think we went to Wichta one year.  Also St Louis .   But, I can see anward for first with certificates for the other places.

Now for the NATs I can see only Scale Carrier both classes and Profile.   The other events on the last day as it has been happening for how many years now.   If someone wants all these other classes of carrier, do it locally.   My 1/2 cent comment time is used up.