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4th Annual Bill Johnston
Memorial SPA Contest PRATTVILLE, AL........2011 is underway with a wonderful event the weekend of Mar 26 & 27. The Fountain City Flyers always host a nice event and despite the horrendous weather, this one was a "dandy". CD Jamie Strong solicited the help of 3 of his members and Mike Williams recruited two to assist him in scorekeeping with the nice computer program he modified for this cycles patterns and this team performed like the Auburn Tigers football team did in the 2010 National championship season. 21 "fun-loving" and "flying-loving" contestants flew 4 rounds (for most classes), three for Super Senior with only one (1) mishap.....Garry Singleton re-kitted his Intruder which he told this reporter "had 324 1/2 flights on it"....when "I dumb-thumbed it between the 2nd and 3rd horizontal roll". He said he intended to write a song much like George Jones's......only call this one...."I stopped flying her today". It happens to all of us, Garry. Glad you had the "back-up" to finish the meet with. Friday was a super nice day, 75 degrees, wind 3 MPH and sunshine for practice flying. Tom Stennis arrived from Mississippi toward the latter part of the week and got in some good flights with his electric Dirty-Birdy (see the photos). Your reporter was privvy to flying it on Friday afternoon and was amazed by it's excellent response and very adequate power. Tom said the airplane was a convert from gas to electric. Motor is an AXI 4/20/20 turning an APC 14/12 cut down to a 13/12 which pulls 1303 watts from a 6S 4900 battery pack. Tom used a "wattage" meter to determine the watt consumption at full throttle (see photo of meter). He inserts this meter between the battery pack and the ESC (electronic speed controller) for readings. A 2nd nicad pack is aboard for receiver. The model has 4 servos as the ESC does the throttle work. Stennis says the ESC was $16.00 from Hobby City and is rated up to 70 Amps. Leslie Smith from Corinth, MS was joined by his Son, Chris from Tallahassee, FL. Chris, a chopper model pilot, flew his first SPA contest with dad. He flew an ARF KAOS 40 with an LA-46 engine. Perhaps the "furtherest traveled" honor was copped by Mr. Steve Harrop, of Rhode Island, caller and crew-chief for Mr. Bob Andrews of Brewton, AL. Bob and Steve were both in the Air Force at Eglin AFB in the late 60's. Bob was deployed to SE Asia, Steve to Thailand, Bob later to Vietnam, etc. This is their first reunion in 25 years. Bob was Steve's "best man" at his wedding in 1970. One of the "first-timers" was Victor Diaz (see photo of he and wife Linette) from Covington, GA who is an accomplished AMA pilot. Vic flew Mike Williams' Compensator beautifully. While on the subject of "firsts" Dave Phillips (Dad) flew his first contest in Senior Expert. He determined his 2 stroke engine needed more fuel for the longer pattern as it didn't have enough on board for the extra maneuvers. CD Jamie, invoked the Chief's blessing at the outset Saturday morning. Jamie announced the Figure M maneuver in the Expert pattern was in "limbo" at present and said, "just tell the judge whether you'll fly it with 1/4 or 1/2 rolls and do it that way". Some did it one way and some others. No problem. He said, "if B-Novice pilots need help landing in this strong wind" have an experienced pilot land for you and that is no problem". Richard and Sue Tibbitts came from Cabot, Arkansas, his 2nd Southern SPA contest, Richard flew his "Something Extra" airplane, a SIG kit powered by an OS 52, 4S spinning an 11/6 Master Airscrew prop. More great "bloodline" pairs included Daddy Dave Phillips and Dave III, and Grandaddy Ken Blackwell and Grandson Will Blackwell. What a joy to see these folks participating together and sharing the pleasures of our sport/hobby. Couples related by wedding vows appearing on the flightline included the Owens' and the Arrieta's. "Hadn't an SPA pilot rather have a spouse that can call good plus cook as well?" Scores are posted elsewhere...but here are the "extra" winners. Jamie opted to go economical on the award plaques, share $200.00 with the club for the field use, pay the few expensed for the pizza, etc, then draw for "gas money" to the contestants for the remainder of the "take". Ed Lyerly donated two kits for the raffle.....an Ultimate KAOS kit and a shortkit of a DECEPTION. Here are the winners:
The National Weather service alerted contest officials of the hailstorm/thunderstorm on Sunday in ample time to complete round 4 for the Sportsman and EXPERT classes. Awards were presented and "farewells" completed just as the rain and hail commenced. Fountain City, you've launched the 2011 season in a tremendous manner. We are so grateful for the hospitality, fun and fellowship shared. Club members declared, "we have STRONG leadership of our events, that's the reason for our success". Your reporter definitely agrees.
Bruce Underwood, SPA PIO
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