From the 2013 Rules Change Proposals thread:
Wes & all,
The 4-Minute Free is an interesting topic. Here are some numbers:
- 36 regional contests are posted on the IAC results page so far in 2012
- Of these, 6 contests included a 4-Minute Free Program, but only 5 had 2 or more competitors flying
- Of the 300-400 people who've flown contests in 2012, just 9 flew the 4-Minute Free (8 from Unlimited, 1 from Advanced)
- Most of those 9 flew this program in just one contest; 1 pilot flew 2, 1 pilot flew 3
- If you include Nationals, the new numbers become: 37 contests, 6 with a competitive 4-Minute, 14 pilots flying (12 Unlimited Power, 1 Unlimited Glider, 1 Advanced Power)
Looking at this info, a reasonable person might ask whether there's sufficient ROI to operate this flight program. There does seem to be modest support for it within our membership, so I wouldn't use the data alone to argue for its removal. From an administrative point of view, though, all the hard work (the "investment") has been done – save, perhaps, for wrestling with rule change proposals.
The rule change effective in 2012 that includes Advanced category pilots has marginally increased participation and has the potential to do so further in the future. So, considering that the infrastructure is in place and that contests may include 4-Minute Frees at no incremental cost, I see nothing that motivates a change here. Do you?
Best,
Jim