There seemed to be a lot of buzz at the USHPA's BOD meeting about Lisa's Power Point presentation regarding the King Mountain Nationals. I now have a hard copy of that presentation, and I'm wondering, what was all the excitement. Was it the pilot breakfasts (?) or the free camping (not free showers)?

Photos as backgrounds, and bullet points. Is that all it takes to get a Nationals? Is there any substance to the proposal?

Lisa's proposal starts with five letters (from the City of Arco, Butte County Chamber of Commerce, Lost River Economic Development, Lost Rivers Tourism Council, City of Moore) "supporting" the King Mountain bid, but no indication at all if there is actually any support from these entities. In fact that letters are just pro-forma letters saying essentially, "Hey, come on down, enjoy yourselves, and spend your money here."

There is no indication at all that these entities are going to do anything substantial to actually help the competition and support the pilots (I assume that Moore is happy to allow them to camp in their "park."). No promises have been made, as far as these letters are concerned.

There are no letters from the "proposed sponsors." No letters re media exposure. Two big elements that seemed to weigh heavily on the decision to make King Mountain, the Nationals.

What else is missing? No discussion of the safety issues re King Mountain. This is a big issue for the USHPA Competition Workgroup, but it is ignored in this proposal. I wonder why.

No discussion of who is going to fill the positions in the organization. Meet director, Safety Director, Launch Directors, etc.

No budget? This again is a big issue for the USHPA Competition Workgroup, but why is it missing here when it was a big issue for David Glover for the 2008 Big Spring meet?

The King Mountain site is referred to as "World renowned." I suggest "Idaho and California renowned" would be a more accurate description. No indication that Lisa is applying for CIVL sanctioning (I assume that she is.)

A point made in favor of the meet is that it has a computerized scoring system. Like which competition doesn't have this?

The presentation is big on showing the routes from King Mountain. The routes go over high mountain ranges in high wind conditions. Cool pictures, scary flying.

What is good about the proposal? Cheap, $125. Breakfasts available, free camping, tee-shirt, color maps, shower truck at the Moore City Park (donations requested). (At Big Spring you get cheap camping, cheap hotels, two free dinners, a tee-shirt, showers at no additional cost and awesome flying.)

I fail to see what was so great about the presentation that it made this bid for the Nationals a slam dunk. The BOD and Competition Committee does not represent the interests of those pilots who are interested in competition, but of what they think is the vast majority of USHPA members who could go to a cheap competition. The "silent majority."