Competition Reductions and Deductions

So boys and girls, did we learn something at our first competition?
-“Yeeessss Mister Pooorrrttteerrrr” (think 1st grade group greetings and Pledge of Allegiance)

1) Practice smarter – I can loop and roll and hammer and all that stuff. Great. Why didn’t I win? Because I can loop and roll and hammer safely but not necessarily as prettily as the next guy. How does one increase the prettiness of their flying as it appears from the ground? Get someone that knows what pretty looks like and have them coach you. From the cockpit I haven’t a clue how it looks from the ground. Unless there is a massive rule change, you cannot assign yourself points on the basis of “I thought it looked good from the cockpit.” That would be like Criss Angel applauding himself after doing an illusion in front of no one. Wait…he probably does. Moving on.
2) Use my own airplane: The EFA Decathlon was sweet as could be and anyone would be lucky to fly it. The only reason I say use my own airplane can be found in my bank statement. My share of the Decathlon for the weekend was only $504. Not bad at all considering what it was. If I didn’t have any other option, well there you go. But I do have another option…maybe. I spent $504 to put an hour in my logbook. Had I flown my Decathlon it probably would have cost me more but there would have been more hours in the logbook. If I can get the insurance debate settled that would be great. If not, well that will have to be the price of doing business. Once more, a huge thanks to EFA for allowing me to fly with them. I wouldn’t have been able to compete if it weren’t for all your efforts.
3) Don’t be such a whiner: 5.5 hours in a car drving back from New Jersey was a lot of time to get the wwaaaaahhhhhh I wanted the trophy waaaaaahhhhh’s out. Whatever. I competed. I had fun. Now I know what to work on for next year. I didn’t come home with a trophy but I came back with a huge insight as to how I may go about killing it next year. (note: I said killing “it” meaning the competition. Not me)
4) Double check the hotel room keys that are given to you before opening the hotel door you think you are supposed to open. Trust me on this one.