Man what a cool weekend. I am more than hooked. Getting together with all of the best pilots really does something too you. I enjoyed hand launch before, but now I am really hooked. I stared Friday afternoon with a mediocre launch and got a few tips. I would say I am now above average. Seeing the really great guys have a go at it, and getting a few tips from Paul Anderson really made the difference. I would say that my launch is now an asset.
The camaraderie that exists from a large event that many travel too just can't be overstated. The only other time I have felt this level of it was at the F3b world championships. When guys are away from home, and not yet worried about the drive back, something special happens. You just cant explain it, everything just becomes a little more fun. The food tastes better, the beer is a little colder, and the jokes a little funnier. Well at least until you hear Craig Allen laugh :) But by the end of the weekend, Craig Allen's laugh becomes its own joke, it is contagious. BTW, this guy goes way out of his way o help out all of the international pilots, bringing chairs, chilli bins (Kiwi for ice chest) and pop up shades. This guy shows the generosity RC pilots are known for, thanks Craig. Also I need to really thank the Torrey Pines Gulls for the 15th IHLGF. I think Ron Schark invented this sport or something. Ron has been the event chair and coordinator for 15 straight years. Kudos. So the event has now been past down to the new gaurd of TPG officers, and I look forward to eveolution and continued excellence. I would like to point out that the impound was a thing of beauty. Places like Visalia and Phoenix have larger contest, but they are not man on man. It takes alot more organization, and manpower to run a large man on man contest and keep it running. The impound was flawless, a really top notch job. They even had these bad AS$ color printed logo labels for the transmitted identification. I hope someone can post a picture. So thank you TPG volunteers, great work. The contest conditions were really awesome, lots of lift ensuring someone would max the round, but lots of wind, sink, funny air making it challenging too. It allowed for plenty of separation and challenge, always fun and rewarding. Dude, I know the Polecat will be attended by more pilots this year, but man this weekend was nuts. On Sunday you could meet DLG teams from Brazil and New Zealand (life of the party x 10), Soaring Legend from Canada Arend Borst (great flying man), 2 x F3J WC Australian David Hobby, and another soaring legend from the F3b and F3F scene Norwegian Espen Torp. Dude, the rest of the crazy awesome pilots can be scene on the pilots list, but damn this was like being at the F3b WC in Switzerland. In fact, after the comp, some new DLG guys came up to Oleg and asked if they could have a picture with him. Next time, I think I will get everyone to sign my plane. It was cool. This thing was truly international. Again, I keep relating it to the F3b WC in Switzerland last year, but it must be because of Kev, Craig, and the other NZ boys, these guys make life more fun. Mike Seid was making comments about moving to NZ beacause poeple from NZ are always having more fun than anyone else. I could go on for a long time, but I would like to stress how awesome this kind of event is for everyonw. The traditions that surround the event really bring guys togther. It is ver inclusionary. So if you are new the the sport, this event is for you. Come meet the best, because they give the best advice. Next year, I will be sure to advertise and pump the event more towards new entries. Denny does a really great job with this at the Polecat, and we need to do the same. So I would like to here about everyone else's experiences, and share some pictures guys. See about 100 of you guys next year, David Klein BTW sorry for rambling. -- David Klein Graduate Research Student Department of Structural Engineering Jacobs School of Engineering University of California San Diego
