As a pilot who has never flown a contest, I think the entry fees are high
enough. Typically by the time you pay for entry fees and tows its
something like 600 bucks right? That's what I recall paying when I
registered for the Region 7 contest that Paul Remde organized a few years
back. I had to withdraw when I wasn't able to finish my Silver Badge in
time. I really struggled coming up with that money at the time just to
register. That 600ish dollars would pretty much pay for a seasons worth
of tows at home.

I can understand the financial problem faced with dropouts. The only
solution in my mind would be to make the entry fees non-refundable. That
would help the organizers have more of a sure thing. Course there would
be a few pilots who might not fly because they would be on the fence and
not want to risk the money. Allowing late entry with no penalty might
help with that, but im not sure what sort of pain that creates for contest
management.

I've really been enjoying watching the SPOT tracks of the Region 9 and 10
contests and have been following the daily results with much more interest
than I ever have for any contest. It might help that I recognize a few
names on the list. Maybe next year if I still have a job I can line up
the vacation time and afford the entry fee to fly Sports Class.




-Tony Condon
Cherokee II N373Y