Hi Guys, Fate put me in the area and I made my way there...I really didn't expect to be there, have a plane to fly or to have the guys let me play! The weather was fantastic for a big dog pilot contest. Lift, sun, some wind and really fun tasks.
Ron Shark and his team work their tails off, doing all they can to keep things moving...the trademark of DLG contests. This was a new challenge but it was met with smiles by all. I am NOT a DLG pilot, I do enjoy it...a lot but my schedule doesn't allow me to participate in it. Easily the most challenging of the disciplines, so very man on man, the tiniest thumb mistakes are blatantly visible to all. Patience, intuition, practice and model set up are soo critical, especially in a crowd of artist/athletes as attend this event. Brazil and New Zealand showed with teams of great guys and great pilots...everyone supporting each other, cheering on not just one pilot but all cheering whom ever does well and consoling those who meet with less luck. There were plenty of 2.4 systems working just fine by the way. Not sure if there was any brands other than JR/Spektrum systems. The format was based on rounds to determine who would fly the finals. Then the scores would be reset for those pilots who made the fly off round..... The fly off round was really fun! Each round would end when the first pilot landed. He would be executed and another round flown....3 min tasks. A horn would announce the mass launches. In the end there can only be one....I was lucky enough to make it to the fly off rounds....but as a 'DLG pretender" my lack of skill, strength and practice became exposed in short order.... Those serious DLG pilots went on battle after battle, pilots dropping out round by round....the last two rounds still to fly...and the sun was set on the horizon....and by the time Oleg and Paul Anderson hand done all they could to out last each other....the sun was behind the hills. Talk about a spectator sport! Mike Smith Bruce Davidson Kevin from NZ Adam Weston Larry Jolly Phil Barnes So many fantastic pilots, who really put their minds and bodies fully into the hobby...each one sensing the smallest bit of energy to keep their models flying....searching, moving, shifting...finally to return home for another duel. Huge thanks to Craig Allen for trusting me to protect his model through the event and for his excellent calling/timing to help me do a credible job and to keep me out of the serous guys way.. Two nites of lots of BBQ Ribs...and a Corona or two..too :-). And George Joy to guard the no fly zones for almost 8 straight hours! Thanks for you work George...we all knew you'd rather have been flying! As a treat to us big bird pilots, Mike Smith brought out his new F3B ship...it has molded in RADs pockets..and the fuse and wing has a transparent dark blue finish that actually glows with the carbon cloth looking like woven silver mesh under. Good luck to all combatants today and tomorrow.... I don't think I have ever seen the Oleg more focus'd, or Paul Anderson more determined...but with so many talented and practiced world class pilots I can't put either in a sure thing category with Big Brown this weekend. Gordy Bakersfield to Denver today, Home tomorrow...and my new High End **************Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/tyler-florence?video=4?&NCID=aolfod00030000000002)
