RadioFlyerMk Senior Heliman Location: Trenton, Ohio,
| CJames, I was sitting next to the bleachers just west of the Avant, not the ones right next to it. They called someone up, I cannot remember his name, and I believe he was the person that donated the Avant. They said something to the effect that there is some stipulation on winning the Heli. He said they wanted it to go to a regular pilot, not a sponsored pilot or a field rep. I heard it, my friends heard it and we were glad they were doing it that way so that someone would get a chance to win something so nice, that was not already sponsored. We even had a brief conversation about it prior to the drawing. I completely understood what they were saying about who they wanted to win. Another good friend of mine was near the stage area and he heard the same thing I did and had comments on the reaction of some people.
Now, prior to Saturday there may not have been any statements made about the stipulation on who would be eligible, I cannot say either way. I did not know what was even going to be raffled off until I arrived on Friday. If they were saying they would be raffling the Avant ahead of time and did not mention anything about who would be eligible, then that could be an issue, they should not change the rules at the last minute. And if they did not initially say field reps and sponsored pilots aren't eligible, then that was changing the rules because everyone would have thought they would have a chance.
I did witness someone win a Trex kit, and he was affiliated with a Team, so they gave it to someone else.
I can see this becoming an issue for next years IRCHA. If they advertise a raffle ahead of time, and the items being given away, then they should also state the rules and stick to what they say. Thats it, no other way. Personally, I hope some of my $9.00 meal ticket went to support IRCHA, because the meal was not steak, like I was told it would be. 
----------------------- "I'd rather hover a Heli......than fly a plane" |