Thanks to CASL for hosting the 2 day event. The logistics behind a big contest are extensive; their is a lot of work behind the scenes, all of it voluntary. Without the effort we wouldn't even be able to tell stories like these:
With all the skeg/no skeg conversation on the board I wish the no skeg proponents could have flown this event. You had some of the top pilots in the world happy to be in a 2 meter circle for their landing, and they all had skegs. For a skegless plane to score a landing in a 10 mph downwind was a complete crapshoot. For those that say the pilot just isn't skilled enough at energy management, they are right! It's just that there isn't a pilot that skilled! The launches and landing were in the opposite direction, so no matter what you were either looking at a downwind launch and land into the wind, or an into the wind launch and a downwind landing. Most of the time it was between the two; crosswind on both launch and land. The contest was called off Sunday after the 6 minute round was flown. Winds were gusting to 30 mph. The round was started, called off and re-started, delayed for a 15 minute break, then after a vote, completed. It was pretty confusing. We ended up with 4 complete rounds on Saturday, and the one round on Sunday. When the wind calmed down it was beautiful weather in the 80's. Sunday never got there, but that is what you get with a 2 day contest. The database got scrambled up so I'm still not sure who won what. I think the top ten are correct, but 2 of the guys were also in Grey Cup, so who knows? Anyway, Gordon Jennings with his Icon didn't seem too fazed by the wind and flew a great contest. He's your winner! Fred Sage came in second flying his Compulsion. Joe W. had the lead going into Sunday, but he flew at a lousy time in the morning and didn't make his 6 minutes. With the Triathalon scoring you get buried if you are not right on with your time. The landing was a 2 meter circle for 25, with a 1 meter circle on the right side for a 50, a 1/2 meter circle behind it for a 75, and a little spot about the size of a bread plate off to the left side, by the back, for a 100. I didn't see one person attempt the 100. Most were putting down their planes about 3 feet in front of the circle and seeing what happened next. When the wind came around so you were landing into the wind, you saw the scores go up (predictably). During one stretch on Saturday when the landing were downwind I saw 5 consecutive planes flip on landing! I don't think I've ever seen that. 5 in a row flipping over. This was a new field for CASL and I think next year they will make some layout changes so the participants can be closer to the action and the walk won't be so far between launch and land. It was great to see flying buddies like Paul Siegel from Cinncinati (and his baby picture, ask to see it some time), Randy McCleave from Kansas City, Guy Russo from Idaho and all the others who made the trip. Between all the bratwurst and beer I think I put on 5 pounds, even after trying to get rid of it on the hand launch course and the walk from our area to the winch lines! Our tent was out in far right field, unfortunately. For those Bubble Dancer fans Barry Kennedy has a new plane called AVA that is being produced. The wing is made in the Ukraine with a carbon D-Tube and spar caps (like the Graphite, or my Photon). 124", full flying stab...39 ounces RTF! It is the ultimate floater. That being said, Barry packed up when the wind came up. It would have been 1 mile downwind if he launched. Like last year, when the wind came up planes were flying backward off the winch. That is always entertaining to watch. Anyway, thanks to CASL for all their effort. I had a good time. JE -- Erickson Architects John R. Erickson, AIA RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
