Who's up first? Classic or PA?

[Bruce Perry]

Here in the severely frozen north at the Prairie Fire stunt event we have stepped away from stunt tradition.  Put down the tar and feathers....it might be a good thing.  Actually, it works very well for us! 

We fly the PA events on Saturday and N-30 or classic on Sunday.  Heresy!  I know....

The reasons are:

If we get weathered out on Saturday we still have Sunday
We get much better turnout for the Sunday events as the "serious" event is over.  We also get lots of casual practice with the Sunday planes on Saturday night.
The premise is that classic is the add on event, that PA is the most important event for the contestant. Most pilots would rather not confuse the muscle memory with classic before PA.  As classic is a more laid back event.

So what right?   Well, I'm putting this out here so other contest directors can think about it and try this layout. I predict that if adopted the contest can expect greater total entries.

I would take my classic model out more if other contests were run like this. PA is important to me so I concentrate on that as the main event, which usually means Sunday.  Therefore no classic for me. 

I've talked to several pilots and most like this format. 

Bruce

[Tim Wescott]

That makes sense to me.  Actually, at the Spring Tuneup I would have preferred it for a somewhat dorky reason: I was flying the same plane in Saturday's Northwest Sport Profile, and Sunday's Intermediate PA.  It was a brand new plane, and if it had been fated to crash that weekend (it wasn't, but with me you never know) I would have rather flown the "appearance points" event first, and the casual event later.

[Steve Helmick]

What makes even more sense is to NOT schedule your "Perry Fire" for the same weekend as our "Scobee Memorial". It's hard to justify driving 1,000 miles to a contest when there's one just down the road 15 miles. Is it too late to have it the weekend prior? That would be spectacular!  Steve 

[Bruce Perry]

Steve,

Yup, too late.  I scheduled the contest last year right after last years event.  I was trying to get it in early as the Vancouver event seems to be moving dates every year.  So it would seem your event was scheduled after ours....

I had discussions awhile ago about arranging alternate dates and nothing was resolved.  I'm keen to be a good partner with other event organizers that's why we chose our date early.  It would seem to be an ongoing issue. Other than you we don't seem to draw anyone from that region regularly.  We can't even get support from Vancouver guys.

I will decide if the event will continue after this year.  ACFC will support the nw regionals, USnationals, Vancouver and Calgary events, reciprocal support needs to pick up to ensure the success of the Prairie Fire. 

I would move the date if it meant we would see more fliers. As it is the date is best for local fliers.  We have also moved our dates in the past to accommodate distant contest conflicts that ultimately did NOT result in any additional entries.  It's difficult to justify to local guys a move without a payback. 

Just the ramblings of a frustrated contest director.  Which is why we run classic first to get the maximum number of entries.  Full circle to the original topic.

[Steve Helmick]

Understandable, Bruce. I had no idea that you'd scheduled the date so long ago...that seems like a new trend? Anyway, I had to ask Howard what the dates are...that's just not right!

Howard says he's going to Eddie, but then he may not have his passport application in before September. I'd like to see Paul go...he's already 1/3 of the way there, starting from Deer Park. I keep looking for new routes from here to yonder, and haven't tried them all yet. Your contest is tons of fun, so you know I'll be there if I can get a kitchen pass, and can afford it. I certainly can't afford to go to VSC + Regionals + Eddie + GSSC in the same year, but I sure would like to!  Steve

[Bruce Perry]

Steve,

You are and ardent supporter! I appreciate it very much!  I'm an eternal optimist and someday Howard will be allowed out of the USA.  Likely, your govt is worried about him choosing to stay! 

I have enough balsa to keep him busy for a very very long time!  No, it's not a big pile... He just builds slowly....

It would be great to see you up here again! 

See you at the regionals!

[Bruce Perry]

Also we use facebook to communicate with ACFC members and stunt folk.  We are open to all persons interested in stunt. It is a closed group so your no stunt friends will to be bombarded with stunt stuff.  Look for us under Alberta control line Flying Club on facebook.  Ask to join and I'll get you in right away!  Again open to all!

[Balsa Butcher]

At our one day June contest we are going to try a variation of this:"Experts Fly First!". Along with this will be consecutive qualifying flights, IE: Fly once, wait till your turn comes 'round again, fly again, roll up your lines, you are through. It is hoped that this will expedite the flights allowing those who need to to head home early or (hopefully) stick around and practice, sportfly, coach, or just B.S. and watch, always a popular pastime. 

[Bill Little]

Hi Bruce,

The idea sounds good to me!  I know that traditionally our PAMPA classes have been flown on Sunday with everything else flown on Saturday.  For the reasons you give, I believe swapping them around is something to look at!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Mark Scarborough]

Also we use facebook to communicate with ACFC members and stunt folk.  We are open to all persons interested in stunt. It is a closed group so your no stunt friends will to be bombarded with stunt stuff.  Look for us under Alberta control line Flying Club on facebook.  Ask to join and I'll get you in right away!  Again open to all!

Hey Steve,, they let me follow along the page so they cant be to picky,,

[Allen Brickhaus]

In the Paducah area, we schedule the contest for the next year the club meeting after the close of the current event.

Allen