SPA - 20th YEARS AND GOING STRONG!
PCMA HOSTS THE HISTORIC CELEBRATION
Sept 10-11, 2011

Twenty years ago Mickey Walker was just launching his great experiment into returning to the kind of pattern he liked best. Mickey had left pattern when "Turnaround" took over, but still fondly remembered and all the fun and challenge of competing before the judges. He finally called a bunch of friends of his and managed to find enough of them who shared his vision, and SPA was born in "Hotlanta", in 1991.

This weekend we met to celebrate his brainchild, (can you believe it's been 20 years)? It seemed to me to be more a "homecoming" or "family reunion" than just a contest, with many folks I haven't seen in some time, (some I met for the first time). Ron Reed, Keith Watson, Marty Barry, (who hadn't flown in over two years), Frank Chick, Tim Fielding, Bryan Brown, Scott Sappington, (semi-retired but obviously not a stranger to the Paulding County Club), and Roy Thompson were "coaxed out of retirement" by personal phone calls from Mickey. Many of these were former "circuit riders"-- they took the time and effort to come "home" and observe this special contest milestone. It was great to see these guys again, and I hope we see them on the "circuit" a lot more in the future.

Yes, there will no doubt be a 25th year event five years from now, but who knows what the future will bring? This was the time to gather and honor Mickey Walker for creating such a wonderful outlet for R/C enjoyment--personally, it is all I need or really care to participate in; it's my "niche" in R/C.

This was a "nostalgia" contest, meant to be as much like the original 1991 event as possible, and NOT a "points", or "official" contest; some of us got the word later than others, but those that came had a wonderful time. It was supposed to be unique and special, and it was. Competitors were divided by age bracket as they were in the first event which made for some interesting competitive groupings compared to the way we do it now.

The weather was truly IDEAL this whole weekend, (and for me to say that means a lot), that's why I'm not going to refer to Atlanta, as "Hotlanta" anymore in this report. Temperatures were on the warm side of perfect, with light breezes mostly down the runway. Sunday was even better than Saturday--the weather didn't adversely affect flying at all.

The Paulding County club members, (with their club badges proudly displayed), seemed to be everywhere, both as competitors and support staff for the event--well over 20 talented people from the club, (used to the SPA contest routine), pitched in for support in food, scoring, running and entering scores etc. to make this contest a very smoothly run event--like clockwork--the 30 registered pilots managed to fly a full six rounds, and it seemed to pass very quickly and efficiently.

This season is also the last for the Paulding County flying site we have been flying from (for all the years I've been associated with SPA). Losing a flying site is normally a time for sad faces, and anxiety about the future, but all the Paulding County folk (to a man), were excited about the reality of the new field, which will be a big improvement over the "obstacle course" field they have now. I've lost or damaged more planes there than anywhere else--either to the 10-15 foot sheer wall drop-off, or the pine trees on the left side of the field waiting to jump in front of unsuspecting planes when least expected. In addition to these "booby traps" for unsuspecting pilots from other areas, you had to deal with unexpected gunfire, (gunfire pointed at who-knows-what), coming randomly during the course of the contest. An interesting place to fly--but I'm looking forward to the new field as well.

This was a rough weekend in terms of the toll of planes lost as the field tried its best to grab all it could during this last major event. There were seven planes lost during the contest proper, and another the Friday before for a total of 8--can you believe 8? The majority were lost by the pilots Mickey had specially invited. Losing aircraft were Jay Marshall, Bryan Brown, Roy Thompson(2), Ray Craig, Marty Barry, (who had "wowed" the crowd earlier with death-defying flying, in one case below the tree line, (I could swear I heard the sound of "swishing" leaves), and last but not least, a horrific mid-air involving Julio Arrietta, and Joe Grant, (who happened to share the same canopy). I was calling for Joe at the time, and following his plane. All of a sudden, from out of nowhere, there were two planes and a "cracking" sound. The sky is a big place, but somehow between Julio's loops and Joe's preparation for the next maneuver, the sky got a whole lot smaller all of a sudden. I had heard stories of many "mid-airs", but had never seen one first-hand--it was unbelievable, as Julio's plane headed straight down at full throttle, while Joe's continued on a few yards further before spiraling down. Part of Julio's wing fluttered down a few minutes later. MAN!! Both planes were recovered, (along with a wing from another plane lost earlier and a pair of women's glasses). Joe's plane is repairable (though the fuselage was in two pieces), but Julio gathered his valuables in a box, and is already making plans for a new Compensator or other type for next season. He has since had a kit donated to him, and picked up two more.

The main raffle prize of a Spektrum 8 radio was won by DD, "Dan the Man" Dougherty-- (hmmmm). I can't remember the rest of the winners--someone please help.

Awards were given for up to 5th place in all classes, so everybody took home some hardware, with professionally taken photos--very classy.

It was a wonderful weekend, and a chance for everyone to personally convey their thanks and best wishes to Mickey for a "job" well done. Thanks "Chapter ONE" for a tremendous fun contest, "walk down Memory Lane" and a great time.

Duane Wilson

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