As the caption implies.....both mornings of the 2006 MASTERS contest at PCMA (Paulding County Model Aviation) were literally “frosted”. The usual term for HOTLANTA wasn’t even used the weekend of October 14 & 15 as a result. It was typical early Autumn, cold in the mornings but warming up nicely as the day progressed. A brisk wind primarily from the NE served to lower the chill factor to the point that layers of clothing were welcomed as was the club-provided hot coffee and doughnuts.

Flying was typical for late season, much more accurate maneuver execution, evidently with participation in prior contests and extra practice for this one. Many judges exclaimed, "the flying was just better and consequentially more difficult to find errors for downgrades".

ALL 27 contestants received a memento plaque of their participation in the 2006 MASTERS contest at PCMA. Jim Rogers is going to have the pleasure of redeeming his $300.00 gift certificate from Pyramid Hobbies as the raffle winner. A gift like that is equivalent to winning a key to Santa's workshop.

A couple of mishaps occurred when Bob Bixby's aluminum wing tube succumbed to the G's applied to it in the Horizontal Eight. Phil Spelt's Panzer aileron servo decided to go on strike during his sequence. The guys smiled, recovered the components and realized, "this happens to all of us that enjoy this sport/hobby.

Rich Ernst from the Sunshine State flew that beautiful DECEPTION model that was the feature in a recent SPA newsletter.

The HIGHLIGHT of the annual MASTERS was the FLY-OFF in each class as well as the same for the Senior Expert Pilot to determine who possesses the prized MEMORIAL TROPHY for the coming year. It's amazing, the solitude that exists as spectators and judges together eye each skillful input to the planes piloted by these accomplished qualifiers. Again, this year, each qualifier seemed to perform a more precise pattern during the FLY-OFF than during the regular competition rounds. Flashbacks of previous TOC's came to mind as one enjoyed the performance of these pilots. Even the "old-timers" confessed to nerves inciting "shaky-knees".

PCMA, ya' did us WELL with your' host and hostess duties. Sincerest "thanks" for your' efforts, all, from the Cooks, waitresses, scorekeepers, runners, CD and assistants. This MASTERS certainly earned another notch in the PCMA "handle" on contest sponsorship!

Bruce Underwood PIO