Here is my 2 cents worth...

I believe that people are intimidated by flying in competition for much the same reaon as people are intimidated by speaking in public. However, in general once they overcome this inhibition they find it can be quite a lot of fun. That is not to say that you ar not nervous, but nerves can sometimes be a good thing.

We had a US Scale Masters Qualifier in Austin, TX last year, and I prtically had to beg people to fly in the event   We had a Fun Scale class that is not as demanding. Even so, we did not have the turn out I had hoped for. I have toyed with the idea of coupling our scale competition with a fly-in, but haven't really figured out how to make the logistics work.

I want the extra challenge of competition because flying around and around is just not enough for me. I really struggled with taking the plunge and building a scale competition airplane. That is until Dave Plat told me that if my goal was to fly in competition I should take a straight line to that goal. I thought that was fairly profound

Jerry

While I think that competion is great for those who have a competative nature, it's just not for me. I still prefer a "scale fly-in" rather than a competition. Seems there is generally a better turn out than at competitions (around here at least). I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

 Don't get me wrong, I've flown models in competition in years gone by, but these days I just prefer to hang out, chat and fly.

IMHO there is still alot to be gained with regard to the sharing of knowledge and challenging yourself without competition.  

However, if you're thinking about trying competition I say "go for it"....you'll never know till you've given it a try!  

Cheers, Nigel

I've been entering scale competitions since 1979 (open international, Belgian championships, European- and World Championships, World Jet Masters) and  I've been to some (scale) fly-in's.
To me both are very different.
Many of us could write a book about the pro's and con's for both categories, but there's no point to that, we all must do what we like or prefer and not judge the category we don't like (or know), although it makes me sad to realise that there are many beautiful scale models in Belgium that never make it to this level.
My motivations for entering cometition are plenty.
- Most important: the meeting people with very similar intrerests, the making of new and the meeting of old friends always work for me.
- Second comes the competition aspect, but against yourself and not against someone else. To my knowledge there are hardly any such feelings in scale competition, but you do have to overcome your own fears and nerves (after 25 years they still are there before and during every competition flight - it is very hard to fly even the simplest manoeuvres accurately under stress and scrutiny from a panel of judges and your fellow competitors). But the feeling of relief and satisfaction and the appreciation you get after a good one are difficult to describe.
- I have learned a lot there on human behaviour, building techniques, model flying and ... stress management!
- In some ways it has (re)formed my character: entering competition is building and flying scale models the hard way. I have to motivate myself before each event and before each flight during the event (the feeling of "Why do I do it?"). This, combined with the effort it takes to build and maintain a good model, makes that I don't often back out of something once I've started.

But like I mentioned earlier, we have to practise scale building and flying in the way we feel the most fun and satisfaction.

One thing is certain though: it is the ultimate form of aeromodelling!

Am I interested in competition - yes absolutely.  In my opinion it improves your flying, improves your buiulding ability, improves your ability to get your act together & operate your model in a proffesional manner.  Any competition improves the breed. 

Is competition for everyone?  No. - John.