Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Organizing an Air Show
In the last week or so there were interchanges on SARFLY about running an air show. These centered around the conflict between the SAMAA Manual of Procedure and what was actually possible.
The SAMAA MoP is a masterpiece of corporate, bureaucratic paternalism. It assumes SAMAA members must be protected from their own ignorance and stupidity. In its hundred plus pages are rules for every model flying activity. In particular the rules for running an air show are notoriously strict. The motive behind this -- that of safety – is good. The rules are ludicrous.
On the other hand, SAMAA members run many excellent air shows. What do some people know that others don't?
Gifford Pinchot encountered similar frustrations in the corporate world. To deal with them he set down the “ten commandments for an Intrepreneur”. Many of these apply to running an air show.
So, the apologies to Pinchot, and not entirely toungue-in-cheek, here are some rules:
Circumvent anything in the SAMAA MoP aimed at stopping you organizing your dream air show.
Do anything you need to make your air show succeed.
Find people to help you.
Follow your intuition about the people you choose and work only with the best.
Work underground as long as you can, publicity triggers the SAMAA immune response.
Remember that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
Be true to your goals but be realsitic about the ways to achieve them.
Honour your sponsors.
The SAMAA MoP is a masterpiece of corporate, bureaucratic paternalism. It assumes SAMAA members must be protected from their own ignorance and stupidity. In its hundred plus pages are rules for every model flying activity. In particular the rules for running an air show are notoriously strict. The motive behind this -- that of safety – is good. The rules are ludicrous.
On the other hand, SAMAA members run many excellent air shows. What do some people know that others don't?
Gifford Pinchot encountered similar frustrations in the corporate world. To deal with them he set down the “ten commandments for an Intrepreneur”. Many of these apply to running an air show.
So, the apologies to Pinchot, and not entirely toungue-in-cheek, here are some rules:
Circumvent anything in the SAMAA MoP aimed at stopping you organizing your dream air show.
Do anything you need to make your air show succeed.
Find people to help you.
Follow your intuition about the people you choose and work only with the best.
Work underground as long as you can, publicity triggers the SAMAA immune response.
Remember that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
Be true to your goals but be realsitic about the ways to achieve them.
Honour your sponsors.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
2008 Gliding Nats
Lionel Brink's report is here.
Lionel says, "I cannot emphasize enough how impressive the overall event was & that the weather did not let us down – just made it far more challenging. ETB are to be commended for their hosting of this, & I am not aware of any organizational issues to date.
Regards,
Lionel
More info and photos from Piet Rheeders on the BERG BLOG.
Lionel says, "I cannot emphasize enough how impressive the overall event was & that the weather did not let us down – just made it far more challenging. ETB are to be commended for their hosting of this, & I am not aware of any organizational issues to date.
Regards,
Lionel
More info and photos from Piet Rheeders on the BERG BLOG.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
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