Hi,

I agree with Tim. I have run several contests and was personally
financially affected by the HUGE number of last minute drop outs - and the
several pilots that showed up without pre-registering. The same was true
for regional contests and national contests. I found it extremely
inconsiderate to see many pilots register and then backed-out a few weeks or
days or minutes before the start of the contest. Several never officially
backed-out - they just didn't show up. It made it nearly impossible to
pre-plan towplanes, dinner events, airport tie-down areas, etc. I won't run
a contest again until the SSA changes the deposit fees, etc. I found that
it nearly impossible to break even financially if the contest has less than
30 contestants. If you plan for that number and get only 20, you will
disappoint all the towplane owners and the contest organizers lose a lot of
money. I don't know how you can break even running a contest for 7 or 8
competitors - not with the fee structure the SSA imposes on contest
organizers.

Paul Remde

"Tim Taylor" wrote in message
...
On Aug 12, 7:30 pm, Marc Ramsey
wrote:
From another perspective, out here in Region 11, we often end up running
regional contests with as few as 7 or 8 pilots. What kind of organizer
cancels the event less than a week before, as a result of dropping from 20
to 15 entrants? I'd certainly think twice before planning to attend an
event put on by organizers who give up that easily...

Marc


Marc,

Awfully harsh response. Yes you may run contest with that number if
you are planning for it, but with last minutes drop outs it can hurt
financially.

Most sites have to bring in tow planes and pilots which means ferry
costs and hotels.

There are dinner reservations with minimums, helping cover your staff
expenses, etc, etc, etc.

Unless you are willing to make up the difference out of your pocket
what do you do?

I think we need higher deposits and longer lead time for when you can
withdraw.