NCFRgal's Scale Aerobatic NATS Perspective

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wayne
	RE: Clover Creek I am pretty sure there was more coverage than that. I know because I posted it. If I remember correctly, there was supposed to be someone from FG there covering the event who was not competing. Last minute, things changed and I was asked the day of the competition to cover what I could for FG and I did. Its hard to get a competitor to find the time to put forth the effort thats needed. Its different at a fly-in or Huckfest because there is no schedule and finding time to sit on a computer is easier to do when you dont have a schedule to fly on or sit in a judging chair for hours on end.

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wayne
	Again, Your asking guys who are competing (IMAC staff) to provide the coverage. Its simply hard to do at the level you may want. I dont remember all the details about Clover but I do remember there was supposed to be FG coverage by a non-flying staff member. At the last minute, that fell through. The coverage that was provided was done by competing FG members. Again, hard to do at the level you may want.

Honestly Wayne, you and I both know its not that big of a deal to do a quick writeup at the end of the competition day. How much time do we sit around, BS, drink some beer, and otherwise do nothing.

I would have provided the coverage this year, but unfortunately I couldnt attend do to circumstances beyond my control. But if I had been there, I would have provided the coverage, as it would not have been "to much" to snap some shots and write up a quick article. As I remember from last year, Unlimited rounds were 5.5 hours long. Even cutting that in half to 2.5 hours, I think thats plenty of time to snap some pics, and then take 30 minutes in the evening to grab the scores.

Unfortunately, Steve is only one guy, and can only travel to so many events. We as staff need to step up and cover the events. Like I said, i would have if I could have been there. Unfortunately, as with anything, a lot of staff guys just don't want to step up and expend a little effort to get some coverage.

[Craven]

Slim Jim's.....

Slim Jim's......

Who wants a Slim Jim?

[Wayne]

Dont talk to me about stepping up at events as a staff member. I have, and will continue to do so.

I dont know what goes on in other regions but, in the NC region we have excellent coverage of practically every contest.
Marian and Hubb are to be comended for that.
Nobody wants to see LE articles for a local IMAC contests and thats not what Will's original post was saying.
The Nats? Tucson? Clover? Yes. They are BIG events for the IMAC community and most people come here for RC info so to find stuff like that isnt being covered by FG is a let down.

This year at the Nats there was day to day coverage provided by non competing IMAC members and it was posted on the IMAC site. Its not impossible to get done.

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Windecker
	Yup, the friends that you make are the best part (well, except for Cheese). BTW, I guess the flying giant staff is unaware of the IMAC Nats. Its a shame. But if your looking for a OMP the full page write up on the home page is nice. Will

Believe me, we are fully aware of the NATS as several staff members fly IMAC, and usually attend the NATS. Unfortunately, as I stated before, I couldnt attend this year, and no other staff members were able, or willing to cover the event. Unfortunately, this is sometimes the case when you have a volunteer staff working, and travel is already insane for scheduled events for the only employee (Steve), it makes it very tough to cover all events, even large ones like the NATs if another staff member can't do it.

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wayne
	Dont talk to me about stepping up at events as a staff member. I have, and will continue to do so. I dont know what goes on in other regions but, in the NC region we have excellent coverage of practically every contest. Marian and Hubb are to be comended for that. Nobody wants to see LE articles for a local IMAC contests and thats not what Will's original post was saying. The Nats? Tucson? Clover? Yes. They are BIG events for the IMAC community and most people come here for RC info so to find stuff like that isnt being covered by FG is a let down. This year at the Nats there was day to day coverage provided by non competing IMAC members and it was posted on the IMAC site. Its not impossible to get done.

But when people don't want to step up and cover, what is to be done then? Unfortunately, if we can't find those non-competing IMAC members, I guess we are **** out of luck then, as what happened this year.

We also have excellent coverage of just about every event here in the Northeast, and I am sure its the same from region to region as well. But sometimes, there just isnt anyone willing to do the job.

[Chris Puckett]

[quote=TheTank;806826] How much time do we sit around drink some beer

I can answer that for Wayne. NONE!

[SleepyC]

	Quote:
	This year at the Nats there was day to day coverage provided by non competing IMAC members and it was posted on the IMAC site. Its not impossible to get done.

Ok.. but why was it not posted here?

I mean seriously, since I don't compete in IMAC, and I have been occupied with traveling, getting called out over the coverage was the first time I have even heard about the NATS, and when they were. As someone who is not currently following IMAC closely (I enjoy it, but since I do not compete, it's not on the top of my everyday to-do list) I did not have the NATS marked on my calendar.

I'm sure there were a few mentions on the IMAC threads here, but again, I have the "contact us", "help" and "lame thread" reports I focus on. Again the reason why we have additional staff members to hopefully spread the load.

Also, as the Director of the North Central Region I would think that I would possibly get a heads up in the board room. A simple "Hey Steve we need someone to cover the NATS which takes place the week June 29 - July 3rd." And I would have gone after the coverage. With a few weeks lead time, I can usually get someone to cover any event.
I was told about the Nats on Saturday of this week. July 4th, as I was at a family BBQ. The entire week, no one brought it to my attention at all. I'll take the blame for being completely oblivious to the Nats happening. But again, I ask.. with all the IMAC guys on Staff, why didn't anyone say anything prior to the event, instead of just complaining afterwards!

I can assume that everyone thought I was fully aware of the NATS, and maybe I should be, but MAN.. think of how many events take place, and try to keep track of them all.

[Andy Thomas]

It would be nice to see this contest added to the FG coverage and travel budget.

[SleepyC]

I think everyone is losing site on what FG is.
FG is a platform for ANY member to do coverage.
If your at an event cover it! And if the event is notable, we will gladly move the coverage to the home page.

Right now, I'm looking to cut back on attending events, the traveling is more than I can accommodate, and the costs are not recouped.

With proper foresite, almost any event can be covered. Just need the lead time and notification to do it.

[SleepyC]

Look at the posts on the home page thread now. Guys will provide the coverage if given the opportunity.

There are full on scores, placements and full pilot lists now.

[hubb]

Excactly the purpose that this thread was started for. There was a bit of dissapointment that there was no FG coverage of the NATS. there are updates and pictures contained within this thread as well as standings and photos of the winners within minutes of the announcements. accually quite a few people contibuted to this thread via Mobile, Text and phone calls. it was done totally by Contestants and bystanders (Myself, Seth's Dad..) I guess I then have to wonder why this thread itself could not have just served the member as the Home Page thread instead?

[SleepyC]

Hubb, it could have been.
You guys did an excellent job. (I've jut been going back through the thread)
The truth is, it was not pointed out to me by anyone.

As you can imagine with the hundreds and thousands of threads and posts on FG, I do my best to keep on top of it all, but it is literally not possible. There are so many posts in the IMAC region threads that tend to be related to just the pilots flying at the competitions that honestly I don't always read all of them.

If ANY of the guys would have shot me a "Hey Sleep" IMAC NATS this week" email, PM, PAGE, i would have looked and perhaps even contacted a few of you about coverage. At that point I'm sure I would have seen this thread and BAM.. problem solved!

FG members are capable of amazing coverage of events, and many of you do a great job of documenting the events.
I would be happy and extremely excited to feature this coverage. I just need to know it's going on!