[ChrisH]

I used to compete, or try to, in flying model sailplanes. The Academy of Model Aeronautics has an interesting system for choosing who represents this country at international competitions while still having an event called "Nationals" or Nats.

Basically they have two separate competitions. If you want to compete internationally, then you go to special meets that are flown to internationally recognized rules. These are put on by various groups around the country who have shown they are qualified to do so. That is, they have the required equipment and personel who understand how to use it. You qualify at these meets for the final competition that is held a different place each year. The winners get the priviledge of paying their own way to Europe or someplace to represent the US at the World competition.

For those of us with merely ordinary ability that can't see thermals from the ground, there's Nats. Which is basically an excuse for people from all over the country to get together and swap stories about airplanes while pretending to compete. The only qualification is that your airplane meets the rules for the event you're flying, and that you signed up quick enough.

There is some prestige here in the US to winning Nats, but very often the best fliers don't attend, and most everybody knows it. In fact, in model sailplanes there has only been one guy who was both US National and World Champion at the same time.

Maybe we could have a similar system with Regionals leading to a Championship, but also having a National competition for anybody that wants to show up and has the money to do so. Maybe have the Nationals during the summer and more like a big off-season event.

just my $0.02