Contest participation

Jason wrote - "As of now, I'd say I wouldn't be interested in a contest until 2017. Is that realistic.. a whole year of getting ready?"

If you focus on and accomplish your C, Bronze, and Silver badges in 2016, the plan to fly a contest in 2017 is quite realistic. Especially if you spend some time in the winter of 2016 - 2017 reading up on contest flying.

Go for it!

Lou

Since "on ramp" in regard to contests is becoming a meme, I feel the need to call BS. Where's the "on ramp" to college? Where's the "on ramp" for getting a job? Where's the "on ramp" for taking flying lessons? All of these instances require self-motivation and some initiative; they don't happen unless you do something. The same is true of contest flying.

Now I appreciate that some people are timid, or don't have a great deal of self-confidence, or might need a bit of a push. For them the best advice I can give would be to join a club that has pilots who do XC and fly contests.. Camaraderie and a bit of peer pressure can work wonders!

As others have said on this thread already, there are many venues and opportunities available for people to get exposed to contest flying. But you have to take advantage of them yourself, no one can spoon feed you into becoming a contest pilot.

-John, Q3

On Monday, February 1, 2016 at 12:47:17 PM UTC-5, John Carlyle wrote:
Since "on ramp" in regard to contests is becoming a meme, I feel the need to call BS. Where's the "on ramp" to college? Where's the "on ramp" for getting a job? Where's the "on ramp" for taking flying lessons? All of these instances require self-motivation and some initiative; they don't happen unless you do something. The same is true of contest flying.

Without starting generational war, which this may very well be part of the dilemma as well, I would argue that for those under 35, there were quite a few "on ramps" to College, jobs, and in many cases flying lessons... Not to mention if our goal is to sell and build the sport, the easiest way to fail in this endeavor is to tell people is to just spend the money, figure it out, and you might like it.

I understand that this is not how society always worked, but in many regards there were a lot less events vying for members time and money (how many forms of martial arts and after-school programs existed in 1960?). This is the exact same problem that juniors face in the highschool years, and why they simply cannot afford to spend all their time sitting around the gliderport watching old men drink.

Really? Just home before they cr a couple open a bottle. And who knows, you just might learn something while they're sober in daylight hours.

Sheesh. When did I become an old man? Seems 1 minute ago. That's the worst argument against accepting the huge generosity of those alcoholic old men I've ever heard.

On Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:21:22 PM UTC-5, Andrew Ainslie wrote:
Really? Just home before they cr a couple open a bottle. And who knows, you just might learn something while they're sober in daylight hours.

Sheesh. When did I become an old man? Seems 1 minute ago. That's the worst argument against accepting the huge generosity of those alcoholic old men I've ever heard.

Never said it wasn't entertaining, worthwhile, or educational... just not the way the winds of change allow "kids these days" to operate and still secure strong post-secondary education.

Any time you work out how insulting your comment about drunken old farts was, just let us know.

Oh... and apologies for not spotting how utterly uninterpretabe my tiny phone keyboard plus autocorrect made my first post.

On Monday, February 1, 2016 at 9:49:41 AM UTC-5, MNLou wrote:
Jason wrote - "As of now, I'd say I wouldn't be interested in a contest until 2017. Is that realistic.. a whole year of getting ready?"

If you focus on and accomplish your C, Bronze, and Silver badges in 2016, the plan to fly a contest in 2017 is quite realistic. Especially if you spend some time in the winter of 2016 - 2017 reading up on contest flying.

Go for it!

Lou

I would add that setting aside a few days to visit a contest would be very worthwhile. The things that can be learned by going to pilot meetings, meeting pilots and getting some hints, maybe pitching in to help the launch or do a retrieve are invaluable.
Plus you will meet people who can act as mentors while you get going.
Caution- addicting- it makes you want to do it.
UH