Getting into Scale "AGAIN"

[samwright]

I have been following the Flightline Chatter and read all the post after the Scalemasters in Indiana. No doubt it was an indicator that we all need to step up to improve the organization and attract new competitors.
I attended an event this past weekend that lit a fire under my workbench and as most know I have announced a ton of scale events and for a lot of you reading this post. I have only attended in 25 years two qualifiers and that makes me an expert on scale competition! That's B.S. and I am now feeling the shaky knees and sweating that goes on at the flightline and have a much deeper appreciation for those that dare to fly in front of a judge.
This weekend The Scale Squadron hosted a one day one flightline Un-Contest at our field in Irvine, California.
The West Coast Vice Chair Curtis Kitteringham was a big inspiration and the event featured getting your scale bird or ARF static judges, and then to the flightline to fly a few rounds with real judges in the chairs. That was nerve racking, but I can tell you, two new competitors will be thinking about attending a qualifier after this event.

I  flew 2.5 rounds and wow, what a trip and my heart kept beating thanks to my caller and therapist Bill Hart. One thing that really was super beneficial was the session Curtis held on flying in front of the judges. He gathered all the pilots at the flightline and educated us on how to fly in front of the judges and convince them in your maneuver commands and flying that you have control of the airplane.

The point of my post is that we need to do more of this before a qualifier to get the new guys comfortable with the format, how to prepare my documentation, how to talk to the judges and what they are looking for in my maneuvers.

My hats off to all that helped educate us all and I plan to compete in the local qualifiers near me. I'd love to hear someone else talk about me as I execute a 10 point dirty pass!

There is a lot of work to do, but it is possible and the Vice Chair guys and the national Chairman with participating clubs probably are the most effective in putting these one day seminars on. We left the field open for normal flying, and only used one of the five flightlines. You do not have to shut your club field down. Our club furbished sandwiches and softdrinks at the end of the event around 2:30 and the bench flying in the shade was priceless.

I learned that announcing is great and I think I am pretty good at it, but now I now have an even better grasp and appreciation for competing pilots are experiencing when on the line.
For the record, I have enjoyed immensely announcing for all the scale events I do. Thanks to the scale competitors for being there.
Sam Wright

[j_whitney]

Great post Sam, and good info.  The "Scale Primer" is indeed a good venue for attracting new pilots, and even for more experienced to hone their skils and flight routines.  Of just tune up their documentation.

[marauderbomber]

Great to hear Sam.

Does this mean that we will probably see you and other Scale Squadron members at the "Gunsmoke" qualifier coming up in March 2013?

I hear that they have some of the best and honest judges at this Qualifier.  They're very helpful in every aspect.



Kenny