February 8

February 8 Event Report and Photos

Sorry it has taken me so long to get the report done. We are moving next week and things have been a little hectic around here. We had another great turnout on the 8th. The official count was 31 registered pilots. Once again, we had a great turnout of spectators. I would guess we had well over 100 during the course of the day.

Nick Huddleston was the lucky winner of the new GWS E Starter. Nick won the kit in a pilot raffle that we had right after the events. Below is a picture of Nick with his new plane.

We had two scheduled contests at this session. The first contest was a touch and go contest off of one of the band risers. I'm ashamed to say...but I can't remember who one! Someone straighten me out on this please.

The second contest was a one minute timed flight. Ernie Schlumberger won this contest with a score of 59 seconds.

I hear that I missed the flying frog squadron after I left. This little plane is made of blue insulation foam (fanfold or Bluecore). Plans are available online here . It looks like this plane may become a popular model for folks to use in events and combat because they only cost a buck or so to make one.

Once again...Rufus Carswell has shown up with a real work of art. I am amazed with his craftsmanship. Check out his new micro flyer. Yes...the dummy engine and pilots are hand carved. The tiny motor in the picture will actually go inside the hollow dummy engine. The tray you see sticking out of the front of the fuse is a radio tray. All the RC equipment will me mounted to the tray and can slide in and out of the fuse as needed.

Ernie Schlumberger arrived with a new Hacker powered profile 3D type plane. The plane is very light but was not flying properly. I hope he gets it figured out because it looks very promising.

We also had a few maiden flights on some planes this weekend. Somehow, I have tricked some people into thinking I can fly. I had the honor of flying Mike Parson's new Learjet. His new plane was built by Glenn Delconte. Glenn did a fantastic job finishing out Mikes new plane. Glenn installed and really scale lighting system that you operate as little or as much as you want from your transmitter. The light system is a "plug and play" package sold by Curtek Systems. I came real close to stalling Mike's plane in the first circuit around the building.

I also had a chance to fly Hank Peacock's new Roadkill Corsair. At first, it did not look like it was going to get airborne. However, we finally got the little 3.5 oz plane up in the air and flew numerous circuits around the building. Lucky for Hank...I was able to return it to him in the condition he gave it to me. :-)

Vahidin Alajbegovic (call him Al guys) finally brought something to fly. Al has been attending on a regular basis as a spectator. He brought his own aerobatic design that has an undercambered wing. I know that kind of sounds like an oxymoron...but it flew well.

The treasurer says that we collected $82 more than we spent at this session. (raffle plane cost included). This puts our balance at $357. Our next session is scheduled for Sunday March 2 from 1 to 8 pm. Someone bring a boom box for this event.

The contest for this session (4 pm) will be kind of like musical chairs but with planes and a landing zone. This one also comes from "Crazy Murdock". Here's his rules:

Let every one get airborne and begin circling the pylons. (the music begins)
Once the last plane is in the air, a official pulls a piece of paper with
the time on it out of the can. He starts his stop watch. When that time is
up . he stops the music.

When the music stops (or you sound the bull horn) all the pilots must land
in the 15' x 40' landing area.
The last one to land is out. Eliminated.
The music starts again and it starts over , till all but one plane is
eliminated. The winners of each group of five goes on to the finals.

Rules:
You must land in the designated box.
You cant cut the pylons, if the music stops on your down wind leg you have
to go around the pylon before landing.
Your plane must be able to still fly after each landing (no crashing to win)

Nose overs will be allowed to set the tail back down.
Hand launchers will be allowed to re-launch