Top Gun Dates, VSC16 Poll Results

Date for Top Gun 2004 is March 12th threw the 14th
Date for VSC16 is March 18th threw the 21rst

I would like to thank all who provided results on this
poll, here on SSW and by e-mail. The intent of this
was to gather information to make a decision. I
apologize to anyone that was upset or offend by this
or remarks made during it. I spent Sunday night and
Monday talking to Lou Wolgast, Robin Sizemore, Bart Klapenski and Glen Allison (Cholla Choppers President) to make a decision on this. I felt this was important to keep assumptions to a minimum.
I received e-mails on this from members of Pampa that
have either worked at VSC or competed in it along with
the votes taken from SSW.

Yes 4
Doesn't matter 4
No 36

I can assure everyone that a fly off at VSC has been
put to rest and it "Will Not Happen".
Comments given during the poll.

YES:
It gives a fair evaluation of the top five with equal
conditions.

Everyone can see the top flyers fly.

Competition is the foundation of Stunt and where all
the advancements come from.

The 50's and 60's, consisted of warriors that competed
just as hard as we do today.

NO:

Number one response: It takes away from the intent of
VSC, the purpose of the VSC is fun

Don't turn it into another Nats

If it gets more serious it will become a few design
contest like SAM FF with all the Playboys.

Sometimes schedules are so tight that top 5 flyers
cannot stay to fly.

This would be just another level of complexity.

It's not broken and no changes need to be made.

The concept of a competitive fly off is *completely*
at odds with the spirit of the event.

Right from the beginning the priority of VSC was FUN.

The one problem I do see with an actual scored fly off
is that the Tucson weather, from a flying perspective,
is so unstable later in the afternoon.

Thank you for posting the results, Larry. You took undeserved flak for just posting the poll. (The "shoot the messenger syndrome")

I did find it interesting that no purely positive postings were found on this thread in answer to your post. The people who started the drive to have a top five flyoff remain safely anonymous.

I heard of another instance in which a competitor was not allowed to practice on the back circle at a previous VSC. If this is allowed to continue, the VSC will suffer.

I cannot fathom why an expert would draw a line on the practice list and state that everybody above that line could fly again. What does that say about the character of everybody else above that line who went ahead and flew and saw no harm in it?

The VSC was originated as celebration of the old stunt ships and of having fun. It was intended for the Joe Bellcranks of this hobby.

It was not intended as just another competiton.

Hi Dee, This is the first I have heard about the practice problem but for sure it better not happen again. There is plenty of time and room for everyone. It had to be some lowlife FNG that wanted to feel important. Enuf said. And just to show you all how great an event as VSC is I have convinced three other people to move to Tucson, along with myself and my wife. We'll be all moved in by the end of July this year. Looking forward to some sunshine and unlimited flying cause I will be retired, for good this time! Bob Whitely

>I cannot fathom why an expert would draw a line on the
>practice list and state that everybody above that line could
>fly again. What does that say about the character of
>everybody else above that line who went ahead and flew and
>saw no harm in it?

Might have been that no one realized that was the situation. Those sign-up lists are a great idea in a limited-space situation.

That someone couldn't be bothered to take their turn is indeed a pretty crappy situation.

Dee:

Thank-you for recognizing the effort for what is was meant to be. It would have been nice to give more people a chance to comment. Unfortunately I had asked Leonard to lock it out. It was becoming very negative and assumptions have a way of becoming facts. The old saying goes don’t argue with an idiot the person walking by can’t tell who’s who.

The grass circle that you talk about is unable to fly a plane on lines longer then 60 ft safely. It also creates a problem with the judges. I personally lost an airplane in that circle several years ago when the pitman didn't move far enough out of the circle. Jim Hoffman's quick actions avoided a serious injury and the only loss was an airplane. I'm sure anyone would agree that safety is the most important thing we must observe.

Practice sheets are there so no one looses a chance to practice. Any flyer is completely out of line if he tries to dictate who can and who cannot fly in a circle. The person that this happened to should have notified the CD so it could be dealt with. Complaining after the contest is over is the wrong way to handle this. I can assure you that this will not be tolerated in the future. I will also bring this up at the next club meeting.

HI De. For the record I saw it happen. Mike had come up and we were talking and he was getting ready to fly when a guy came up and drew a line on the list. I didn't know just what had happened at the time, but from the look on Mikes face, it was best the culprit did not say anything to Mike. I would have lost my cool and things would have happened, but then I have a temper, Mike kept his.

De . The only problem I have ever had at the Tuscon VSC was when people wanted to use the "ignition circle" to practice their Classic glo models. This was at a time when some of us still wanted the circle for official ignition flights, or perhaps tune-up for an official flight.

This happened only once, so it probably will not happen again.

Dee:

In response to your comment of those remaining safely anonymous. Those who asked for this at VSC had no problem with there names being mentioned. Their votes were not used in the poll, had it been close then I would have taken them into consideration. Since the poll turned ugly so quickly I made a decision that posting there names would turn ugly too, also I didn't feel it appropriate to put names on a global basis. There were e-mails against it that came from SSW. Those I talked to on the phone were way off in their assumptions on who it was. I'm at the point now on this that I would not tell the Pope who it was. If I could do this over I would not post it on SSW and stuck to privet e-mails only. Maybe I failed to make everyone happy on this subject but I did the best I could. Lesson Learned!

Larry

Hi Larry, Ty, Brett, and Bob,

Thank you for your comments. It wouldn't help matters
to name any names. All any of us can do is try to insure that it doesn't happen again. I think that the VSC is a very unique kind of contest. It comes at the end of winter, and helps rejuvenate people
after a period of little or no flying. It is fun to look at the expert's planes and watch them fly. The appearance judging on friday night at the Rodeway Inn is a sight not to be forgotten. The VSC is mine and a lot of other people's favorite contest. It is a contest, and yet it isn't.

The competiton (and the died in the wool competitors) should not be allowed to dominate the event. I'm not concerned, though. Mike and Joann left the VSC in good hands.

De

De:
Thank-you for your comments. It's refreshing to finally here positive things on such a wonderful contest. One fact I must tell you is that not one person in the top five asked for this poll, or a vote, or participated in it. This goes back to assumptions have a habit of becoming facts. I hope all the members of SSW will but this matter to rest now?

Larry

Larry, I think that it was not a bad idea to get the poll. It is the best and easiest way to feel out the feelings toward things that others seem to think might benefit with change. It not only gives an idea of how the masses feel, but also lets those that would like change know how others feel toward their ideas. I can see no reason for anyone to get hostile over such a poll. I think you did well.
Bigiron13 aka Marvin Denny