I want to personally say thank you to everyone that came to the first ever Tri-Cities HLG contest (A.K.A. the TCIHLGF). I feel it was a success pulling some of the best pilots in from the upper Northwest, and a flyer all the way from Germany (hence International, not to be confused with the IHLGF) not to forget the new and up-comming folks from the local area. In total we had 12 pilots competing which was perfect in size.
It was a very close fight with 1 point separating 1st - Phil Pearson and 2nd place - Adam Weston and rounding out 3rd in Expert Class was Tim Johnson.
In Sportsman Class 1st Place went to Don Stewart, 2nd Place went to Doug Coleman and 3rd Place went to Joe Campbell. All of these guys were flying their first HLG contest and did very well. Congrates
The plane of choice is seems to still be the Encore. I know I need to step up to at least be more competitive with them. There were several designs including planes from Jay Decker, Doug Coleman and I flew a Photon (It only took me a year to get it in the air).
Special Thanks goes out to Scobie Puchtler of Liftworx for taking the time to fly over in his Cessna 140 and putting on a demo with his Seeker. This is a cool plane that breaks down into a box just bigger than the width of a wing panel. It launches big and flies great. Contact Scobie ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) to order one and big thanks to Liftworx for sponsering the contest with a kit. Tim Johnson was the lucky winner of the kit ( I was soooooooo close ). Additional thanks goes to Adam Weston for helping me run my first contest, Jay Decker, Kirby Park, Doug Coleman for helping me get all the supplies and everyone else that pitched in. I think we accomplished what we wanted to for our first contest letting some new fliers get a taste on how the big dogs do it. This was a very low keyed event and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Next year I'll do a bbq guys. I look forward to hosting more HLG's in the future.
Don't forget about the Pacific NW Hand Launch Glider Regional AMA Contest, 60 Acres Park (A. Weston) (field closed to all but contestants) in September. I hope to be there to show the support and to get my butt kicked some more so I can cry to the boss about needing and Encore. Again thanks to all and look forward to flying with you guys again soon.
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Glenn W.
Tri-Cities, Wa
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