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Asheville, NC Have you often wondered, “do the temperatures change rapidly and the winds howl at almost 3000 feet altitude”? A unanimous YES from the attendees to the annual bash in Asheville, NC. The one element of this contest that never changes is the warmth and hospitality extended by Penny and Duane Wilson (Co-CD and Mrs.) and Debbie and Will Hicks (CD & Mrs.) and the host of ABA clubmembers who work together like a patrol of U.S. Marines on a well-defined mission. In the photos please note the bouquet of roses presented Mrs. Penny as a token of hospitality for the lodging. Dan Dougherty and Keith Watson were the sponsors. Beppe also stayed with the Wilsons. Penny treated the ladies to a tour of some historic sites, shopping, etc. on Saturday while us men flew models in the blustery elements. The ladies relayed the events of the day before to us guys on Sunday. They were delighted! A tradition on Friday evening is the gathering at the Wilson’s beautiful home for that Low-Country Broil and fellowship. The elements (Thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour) prevented the back-porch camaraderie, but, there was plenty around the table and in the “parlor” while consuming the good “vittles”. The thunderstorms overnight Friday night mellowed the heat indices of over 100 deg. on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning’s usual fog was quickly blown away by swirling, mostly NW winds peaking between 30 and 50 and made landing a model an almost unattainable feat. Some landing gear and engine mountings, etc. but no “totals” upon landing. The temps allowed the wearing of shorts on Saturday but come Sunday morning, following more overnight storms, the winds changed to the SW and swirling with temps that plummeted. Note the jackets, blankets, etc. utilized on Sunday. Winds were so strong, they took control of Dave Phillips’ model when his engine failed, after the inverted 3 turn spin, slamming it into the side of the concession area. He had a back-up. Greg Kieliszek lost his DB when the engine quit just after take-off on round 1 and literally “spent-the-night” some 500 to 1000 feet down below the field. Sunday morning a squadron of ABA clubmembers donned their staffs and machetes, and searched until they found Greg’s airplane, with only a broken prop, no other damage. Duane shared the good news with Greg via his cell phone as Greg had already gone home. Whatta’ find! A pair of B Novices got in 6 rounds of the beginners sesquence, Doyle Blevins won 4 rounds to Randy Quarterman’s 2. Unique aircraft, but most anything goes in B Novice and beginners are always welcomed to give precision aerobatics and SPA a whirl. A pair of Georgians flew all 6 rounds in Novice class, Joe Grant and Pete Coleman, with Grant K’ing all six rounds. In Sportsman, hometowner Duane Wilson K’d four rounds and put away his model to concentrate on Co-CD chores. Dan Dougherty, Giuseppe Fascione, Vic Koenig and Greg Kieliszek finished in that order. What a race in Advanced class, Dennis Sams compiled a 1st place victory scoring a total of 3952 to Scott Sappington’s 3906. Each won two rounds. John Nessler, Jr. (Dad) was third with 3709, and Dr. Phil Spelt 4th with 3507. It was great seeing our Dr. Phil back in action with some improvement following back surgeries. The Expert class was, as always, THE class that lives up to it’s name. Kevin Clark won round number one, then succumbed the other 4 rounds to Eric Nessler who topped the slate with 4K’s. Brother John III, kept Bro honest tabbing 3903, Warren Oliver was 3rd with 3828 and Kevin Clark wound up with 3827. If you’ve never seen these experts perform, make it to the Masters in Cullman, they’ll do it again! In the Senior Expert class, Jerry Black, having had his 60th birthday a few days ago, decided it was time to step-up and join the “Old Guys”, and did just that. He won ever round he flew, that was 4, plenty to “clean our plow”. Jeff Owens amassed 3867 with 4 of the 5 rounds scored for 2nd, Keith Watson was 3rd with 3499. Dave Phillips was 4th with 3208, Bruce Underwood, number 5 with 2421 and Jim Johns 6th with 2403. The awards ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the SPORTSMANSHIP award to Randy Quarterman, a local ABA member highly praised by Duane and Will for his numerous contributions to the ABA club including his participating as a B Novice and during the lunch break flew his “smallest biplane to ever fly in an SPA contest” for the entertainment of the crowd. Randy is a genuine asset to modeling! One of the neatest modifications to the ABA flying sight since you were there in 2013, was the moving of the John, which was almost a hundred yards toward the North end of the runway, to a convenient 36 feet East of the CD’s covered area. An anonymous clubber told me as I was complimenting the move, “this is an indication of Will’s aging”! Whoever, we aging visitors are “MOST grateful”! Raffle winners: For the Gas-Cash, $42.50, Mama Jane Underwood. Fuel, donated by ABA and one by Jerry Black, Dan Dougherty won two 1 ½ Gal jugs, President Dave won another jug. The INTRUDER kit by Craig Vandenburg. The CURARE kit donated by Carolina Custom models to Jay Mason, District AMA Vice President. The Dirty-Birdy kit by Penny Wilson, who said “Merry Christmas Duane, maybe”. We were dismissed by Mrs. Debbie Hcks, after a week-end of excellent scoring, leading a beautiful prayer to Him expressing” our sincere gratitude for a delightful gathering and His companionship with each for a safe journey home”. ABA, our sincere thanks for another delightful & memorable weekend in the “Land of the Sky”. Bruce Underwood, SPA PIO |
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