OK so this is a wee bit tangent to the normal stuff we talk about but bear with me

Am home for the weekend, and getting caught up on my reading - including my latest Flying Models.  Read that our moderator Dean Pappas is (after after almost 27 years) "retiring" from writing the RC Pattern column.

I fly some RC, never Pattern tho, but I always enjoyed reading Dean's stuff.  He is knowledgeable, and most of all enthusiastic about all forms of aeromodeling.  His insights on model design, trimming and especially his ability to recognize and adapt "crossover" technology has been demonstrated many times over the years (I'm sure Bobba can chime in here) Notably Dean was in the vanguard of a adapting piped engines for CLPA and most recently in the van again for ECL.  His is a legacy of innovation and excellence seasoned with good humor and great writing skill.  Fun to talk to in person too!

For those of you who do not have access to his column, he finished with these observations - offered for RC pattern but 100% applicable for us too.  These are shamelessly copied (with my comments added) from Deans "farewell" column in Flying Models, May 2010 issue:

1. Widening the appeal of the event is not the same as dumbing it down! (AMEN!)

2. The opportunity to demonstrate excellence is not the same as exclusivity or esoterica.

3. Overfly and noise considerations still dictate where & how this event can or will be flown. (true for all of us)

4. There MUST be a place at the table for both the hobbyist and the sporstman.  (GOLDEN!)

5. This event will never be cheap to participate in, but it really is cheaper than habitual drinking.  Seriously, sensibly accepting the fact that competition is inherently not cheap should not excuse us from trying to keep it within reason. (please reread the last sentence 10 times)

6. The event as a group should make the effort to keep the folks who can no longer compete (for whatever reason) close, because they have much to offer and make great teachers & judges. (us too)

7. We should free ourselves of silly notion that Pattern will ever be a spectator sport. (same for CLPA)

8. Sophistication and difficulty are not the same as complexity.   (I'd suggest the opposite is also true - that complexity is NOT the same as sophistication)


THANK YOU Dean for all the great reads over the years.  Here's hoping we can see more of ya here in the forum AND on the field!

I too read Dean's farewell column word for word, at least twice.  "When Dean talks, I listen."  He is the Maynard Hill of my generation.  Thanks for everything you do for modeling Dean.

Let's not forget Dean's contribution to control-line stunt where the tuned pipe is concerned!  For me it's pipes forever, so THANK YOU DEAN!
Blessings,
Will