Topic: Nationals 2010

While I agree with most of what you're saying Zim, I'm sorry but (the highlighted part) is just plain misguided.  There's no better way of encouraging people into these different disciplines than knowing what they're watching at a competition.  They probably won't want to compete but it might encourage them to 'have a go'. 


Mark.

Hey Mark

What I meant was that decisions must not be taken which put PERCEIVED spectator concerns ahead of running the events in the way most suited to finding the most deserving class champions. However, having some sort of spectator interface at each event is something which I have always supported. Some commentary on each line would definitely be of benefit to keep the spectators informed. But in the case of something like that, it is clearly something which is tacked on with no detriment to the event. Talking about moving events around based on miniscule perceived improvements to spectator convenience to the cost of good airspace planning just isn't worth considering. That's more what my point was aimed at.

Z

Understood and agreed


Mark

Hey Mark

What I meant was that decisions must not be taken which put PERCEIVED spectator concerns ahead of running the events in the way most suited to finding the most deserving class champions. However, having some sort of spectator interface at each event is something which I have always supported. Some commentary on each line would definitely be of benefit to keep the spectators informed. But in the case of something like that, it is clearly something which is tacked on with no detriment to the event. Talking about moving events around based on miniscule perceived improvements to spectator convenience to the cost of good airspace planning just isn't worth considering. That's more what my point was aimed at.

Z

Totally agree with you Zim, I think as has been said previously, it is up to those running the deciplines to put up information for the public to see to try and understand what is going on, us old salts that may/may not know have an eductated guess at these things!!

It is not like it a hard thing to do, template generated in the BMFA generic style and incorporate the information supplied by the various disciplines, these can be sorted off season ready for next year, no good leaving it 2 days from next years event!

Big A I will PM you.

Cheers

Nige.       

I know of two disciplines that are making plans to discuss the possibility, at their respective AGMs, of running their own National Championships away from Barkston and outside the BMFA Nats umbrella. Personally it will in my view be a sad day if this happens, that said I can understand some of the reasoning being given  

your suggestion of  "can't be bothered" shows an ignorance of how hard those involved work to make the event a success.

Big A,

I recognise fully that there are some very very hard working people involved with the NATS, yourself included. I have seen from being on the front line, albeit some years ago but the venue and task are still the same what a mammoth exersise it is to not just set up and clear down but also to run.

I take nothing away from the hard workers, but as you must agree, not everyone in the BMFA is as hard working and has there ears open to suggestion do they? That is where my gripe is aimed at. I am quite sure if someone very high up in the BMFA took some time to ask the simple question "we are going to produce some signs and boards explaining what happens on your line to those that don't know, what do you want on it?" then the CD's can reply and then the BMFA get them made so they are uniform and don't look like a primary school did them.

It isn't rocket science, and I understand that every time the BMFA get a mention that you feel the need to defend them, that is obvious but I am sure that everyone here recognises your input.

For example when you created the "BMFA Classified Rep" account, was that of your own back or was that a "Head Office" idea? - I don't think you need to answer this. 

If the hobby is going to attract new members then they need to welcome and embrace and not shut them out, it takes vision and pro-activity to do this.

It is a good job that allot of clubs require BMFA membership, I wonder how many members there would be if it wasn't needed?

Sheridan

Big A,

I recognise fully that there are some very very hard working people involved with the NATS, yourself included. I have seen from being on the front line, albeit some years ago but the venue and task are still the same what a mammoth exersise it is to not just set up and clear down but also to run.

I take nothing away from the hard workers, but as you must agree, not everyone in the BMFA is as hard working and has there ears open to suggestion do they? That is where my gripe is aimed at. I am quite sure if someone very high up in the BMFA took some time to ask the simple question "we are going to produce some signs and boards explaining what happens on your line to those that don't know, what do you want on it?" then the CD's can reply and then the BMFA get them made so they are uniform and don't look like a primary school did them.

It isn't rocket science, and I understand that every time the BMFA get a mention that you feel the need to defend them, that is obvious but I am sure that everyone here recognises your input.

For example when you created the "BMFA Classified Rep" account, was that of your own back or was that a "Head Office" idea? - I don't think you need to answer this. 

If the hobby is going to attract new members then they need to welcome and embrace and not shut them out, it takes vision and pro-activity to do this.

It is a good job that allot of clubs require BMFA membership, I wonder how many members there would be if it wasn't needed?

Sheridan

Theres 36000 people in the BMFA, I'm sure if someone stepped forward and offered their services to collate and produce the info boards to whoever the Nats controller is going to be for 2011 the suggestion would be given due consideration, when you suggest "someone" high up you have to remember they are all pretty busy as it is and they are also volunteers, there is of course the office staff but there is only so many hours in the day for them too, and they are pretty busy.

[snip]
I take nothing away from the hard workers, but as you must agree, not everyone in the BMFA is as hard working and has there ears open to suggestion do they? That is where my gripe is aimed at. I am quite sure if someone very high up in the BMFA took some time to ask the simple question "we are going to produce some signs and boards explaining what happens on your line to those that don't know, what do you want on it?" then the CD's can reply and then the BMFA get them made so they are uniform and don't look like a primary school did them.
[/snip]

Sheridan, I made contact with the flight lines a couple of years ago, offered to make tannoys available, get them stand space up in the trade tent, and help any way they wanted to get their aspect of our sport better publicised.  There was a small take-up, but not much.
By far the common theme of the replies was "we're busy practicing, organising, competing, and simply don't have time/interest to publicise as well". (imho GBRCAA are a good example of how it can work, if those involved want it to, and several other lines were very welcoming too - great stuff, all to be encouraged)

Obviously, as Public Relations Officer, I would love to see better signage at the various flight lines, and as always will support any efforts along these lines as much as I can.  However, I can't demand text from people - what do I do if they say no? (and the last thing I want is to make it up myself, half truths would be worse than nothing at all).

Where we want to end up is obvious to everyone, and has been for many years, however getting there seems to be a slow hard struggle.

If any CDs or enthusiasts from the various lines wish to make contact, I would love to work with them to get them better represented in 2011, but I can't do it without their help.

Nige

Nige,

I earlier contacted Andy to see who we need to speak to with regards to CD/Tech team contacts for each discipline and the big dirty funding word!

There is a full Council meeting in a weeks time and he has kindly offered to see what he can find out.

I am prepared to do the leg work in order to try and get something sorted out, I am sure between us we can do it!

I hear what you are saying with regard to the CD's not 'having the time' to help us but there must be at least one like minded enthusiast in each discipline that could help with the text?

Sheridan

I'm sure the pylon boys can put together something for next year, if fact i fthey can decide on the info, i'll print an A board up at work for it 

If the lines are prepared to produce the text, I can get them printed up, laminated, and cable-tied up - not a problem :-)

And I should say I wasn't meaning to have a poke at anyone - the competitors' priority must be to compete!

I'm already looking forward to the 2011 Power Nats :-)

Nige

That is semantics, to the non hobby general public who attend it is a show because that is how it is marketed.

I'm wondering where the show is 'marketed' to the general public?   Can't say I've ever seen an advert for it outside the modeling press (even they are few and far between).

Is it marketed in the local area in some way?

When I was in semi-retirement from flying for 25 years I managed to exist blissfully unaware of the nationals and the BMFA, so it must be pretty low-key marketing 

Hi

We've tried adverts in the local rags, signs in shops, spots on the radio - generally produces almost no reaction from the surrounding area.

Having had a chat with the Mayor of Grantham, who thoroughly enjoyed his visit Sunday, we have a few more ideas, which we'll be trying for 2011.

So, I am very interested in making the whole event more "Nats Virgin" friendly, just in case we do manage to pull more people in from the local area.

Nige

Trust me,  the locals are VERY interested in the nats,    the local revenue generated is considerable

But this point is being raised from a spectator point of view.

And why would spectators solely interested in control line events be reading an RC forum?

No data, just look at the spectators

No data....... I think that someone else on this thread said that there were more spectators at CL than IMAC.  Given those conflicting reports I was interested to know if you had any hard data [/b]

Well as 'a professional statistician' you shouldn't have to ask, it would in my view be all of them... Am I right?

No - unless you're saying that they could all lie???  I guess I must be missing your point

I'm sure the pylon boys can put together something for next year, if fact i fthey can decide on the info, i'll print an A board up at work for it 

LOL Dunc - better make it an A board with some bloody good guy ropes!!

Z

Nah, I'll just get Paul to sit on it

Went to the Nats for the first time this year and really enjoyed it.  Pity about the weather as I would have liked to have seen the free flight, but enjoyed the indoor at night.

Swap meet was amazing huge amount of stuff, thought the trade was very good also very good selection of stands, a must for next year.

Did anyone get any picture sof the Breitling Display duo ?? as need some as a mate of mine is friends with the pilot of the real team !

Stephen

Steve Holland and Richard Rawle are the pilots, i'm sure they'd be more than happy to hear from one of the actual pilots. Someone is bound to have contact details for them on here.. Steve is on the forum, i'll check for his username

Chris

Steve Holland and Richard Rawle are the pilots, i'm sure they'd be more than happy to hear from one of the actual pilots. Someone is bound to have contact details for them on here.. Steve is on the forum, i'll check for his username

Chris

Hi Chris, Steve goes under the of "Comet" (88?) after his comet, you will find a post from him earlier in this thread.

cheers,

Vince.

Comet50  aka  Steve Holland

Hi all
The full size team know us. We have flown them in front of them all before we went public with them. There are plenty of pics out there but I can help.

Richard

Pity about the weather as I would have liked to have seen the free flight

Miles & I went free-flighting on Sat.  Both models survived which was a minor miracle given the wind!  Last flight was Miles's Simplex 40 - waited until there was about 1cc of fuel left, enough for 2 good circles of climb whilst disappearing with Miles in hot pursuit and cries of "run or you'll loose sight of it" as it was getting dark.  Sunday- forget it, we're not that daft , honest!

And for the record, whilst we fly R/C. we find watching the C/L more interesting than IMAC.