What do you look for in a contest?

[Paul Taylor]

Besides great weather, nicely mowed fields and good food- what are some other things that might draw people to a contest?

(PS- and a state of the art port-0-potty.  )

[john e. holliday]

Add great people to the list.

[Gerald Arana]

All of the above PLUS: Good friends, good food (and beer) and an occasional flight or two.

And of course FUN, FUN, FUN! 

Jerry

[Larry Fruits]

 I agree with Ty. Use of local terms or locations may be good for modelers from the area or close by, however for people from out of town or those going for the first time, clear and concise maps and instructions are invaluable. Motel listings and locations are very helpful as well. Nothing worse than getting to a city and having trouble finding the flying site.
  Also, if a practice day is noted, post the times on the flier, and make sure someone is there to open the area if it is normally closed. Have gone many times to contests that advertise a practice day, only to have met with a closed site.
 A fresh and nicely mowed field, if grass, is nice too. Pit area as well........ (Some do a nice job with the circle, but are a bit lax with mowing a pit area.) Not a complaint, just an observation that if done would make things a bit nicer.

 All the other things listed are good, people, food , water, restroom, etc..

 Larry    

[Brian Massey]

A contest should be well thought out; well organized and run well. Yes we all know sh*t happens, but you can minimize the sh*t with the 7 little "P"s; proper pre planning prevents p*ss poor perfomance.

In addition to the suggestions above, add in some good judges and you've got a good start.

But, a CD needs . . . REALLY NEEDS . . . excellent people backing him up! I am very fortunate in that regard. (They know more than I do.)

Attention Everyone! When a CD says he need a "little help", pitch in!

Brian

[Paul Taylor]

We will need a little help. 😉


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[Tim Wescott]

I want to find the place, I want to know what the rules are, I want to know when I'm supposed to be where, and I don't want to step on anyone's toes, or have anyone step on mine.

Which I guess is what Ty said: post any variations to the AMA rules, post which way you're going on anything left optional (which means say whether you'll be awarding appearance points), hold a pilot's meeting, start when you're going to start, etc.

If you ever find yourself saying "I know that's not in the contest announcement, but it's how we always do it" about something that bears on the actual contest -- change the announcement for next year!

[Bill Little]

I am spoiled.  My "local" meets are at Huntersville and they are great.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[ericrule]

If what you were asking is specifics about what we are looking for in a well run contest I would suggest that a contest that is well planned and well run will always garner compliments and usually an increase in contestants the next few years. While I certainly do not claim to know how to run the Nats I have
attended number of contests over the years and have experienced well run contest and many that were not well run.

In an attempt to help folks I have published a couple of articles which are available on the RSM Distribution web site www.rsmdistribution.com  These are titled "Guide to Being and Event Director", Guide to Running the Pit Area" and "Suggested Pit Boss Sheet". While none of these articles is the final word on how to do things they do point out many of the things that I have seen being done correctly and which have made many contests run smoothly over the years. Perhaps downloading them and reviewing them will be of assistance.

Eric Rule

[Paul Taylor]

Thanks Eric!
I will download and digest them.

[Mike Keville]

In my opinion, there is one way to see how an enjoyable contest should be run:  come to a VSC.

[Paul Wescott]

Any really worthy contest should have (in addition to the great responses above):

1) A well run awards ceremony - not just a quick "here's your award, who's next" but take your time, shake their hand, tell a story about their participation or travel distance, take a good picture.

2) A good raffle for the pilots,

3) A great after-party, preferably at some legendary flyer's home.

Our club is fortunate to have members such as Tom Collier and Warren Walker to step up and provision the raffle, Eric Rule helps out with free or discounted merchandise, plus Warren is very creative/generous with trophies and also hosting the after-parties.  We may not have very many entries from out of town but the ones we do have are never disappointed.

I have read of another club that is famous for a small industrial ice cream machine that churns out buckets of creamy goodness after contests, and the pilots love it!  It's little things like these that make contests memorable and earn repeat customers annually.

Paul W.

[Crist Rigotti]

Contests should start on time as advertised.

[Mike Keville]

Repeat:  See reply #11, above.  The VSC starts on time...advertises the events well in advance....has after-hours parties....clean porta-potties....offers evening-long award ceremonies at a banquet (as well as good food).  In short, in a class by itself.  Visit us in Tucson next March if you want to find out how a Stunt contest SHOULD be run.

[RC Storick]

I am spoiled.  My "local" meets are at Huntersville and they are great.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

I have been there once and it was a great contest in a beautiful park like area even though it was a old dump. You would never know it was a land fill.

[Sean McEntee]

I think I addition to what was already mentioned, having something unique that isn't being done anywhere else helps

Those that remember the earlier days of the Sig contest remember the bean feed on Saturday night.  Not a great big deal: hotdogs and hamburgers, but it was a blast.  Then later on in the evening, guys would break out chemlights (glow sticks for you civilian folk) and do some pretty crazy night flying.  Lots of fond memories of those days.


PS first missile engagement today.  4 less Taliban in the world.  Sleep well! 

[Larry Fernandez]

I think I addition to what was already mentioned, having something unique that isn't being done anywhere else helps

You mean, something like "Hurling" crappy motors between rounds?

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

[Brian Massey]

PS first missile engagement today.  4 less Taliban in the world.  Sleep well! 

Thank you very much Sean! I will sleep better tonight. 

Brian

[Paul Taylor]

Sean maybe you can do a fly by at our contest. 😉

I will sleep better. Thank you for what you do.


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[Sean McEntee]

Sean maybe you can do a fly by at our contest.

      Last deployment I executed an old fashioned "Worm-burner" flyby of the field one night (about 100 feet off the deck).  Got in a bit of trouble for that, but it was worth it!

     Army regs are pretty restrictive reguarding minimum altitudes for UAS.  It would not be that impressive 

[dale gleason]

If you're military on active duty, you might check to see if entry fees and snack bar privileges are waived. Like at DMAA hosted events...
dg

[Dick Pacini]

Back in the old days, I looked for guys I could beat. 

[Joey Mathison 9806]

a properly working pylon and a ton of jet fuel works for me.

[Doug Moon]

1st place... 

[Bob Whitely]

"Exactly !!!!!!!!!"  RJ 

Well, free food and drinks is always good too!

[Paul Taylor]

If you're military on active duty, you might check to see if entry fees and snack bar privileges are waived. Like at DMAA hosted events...
dg

That's a good one. We will bring it up at our next meeting.

[MarcusCordeiro]

The bars nearby....

Marcus