Chattanooga, TN
August 16-17, 2014

Chattanooga RC Club rolled out a HUGE welcome on Friday the 15th for 36 SPA pilots who didn’t stop enjoying their hospitality until about noon on Sunday the 17th. Seriously, almost all 36 arrived in time for a practice flight on Friday afternoon.

It was the largest contest of the current season for SPA East and sort of a “demolition-derby” for some as, according to Pete Coleman’s addition, nine (9) models found a way to re-kit themselves. Three of the fatals were owned by one modeler, Mr. Thomas Dobbs of the local area, who, didn’t let this diminish his “resolve” to compete in his first SPA contest ever. Dobbs lost two on Friday when one clipped the tarp awning of Charlie Johns’ RV and the 2nd, sort of a glider, just “flew away”. The third, during competition later in the week-end. Doug Harvel lost his Dirty-Birdy ARF on Friday when, “I took off, it went left and kept going left on it’s own”. Roy Thompson lost his model when he took off, flew a few feet and lost all control. Jamie Strong lost control of his lovely Curare during an early round for a short period, but regained control just long enough to put it back on the runway, safely. Jamie didn’t fly after that near-mishap. Most of these instances seemed to indicate radio affiliated experiences. Your PIO had problems at this field last year with a new 2.4Ghz radio and never determined why...but, on the suggestion of several experienced users of the 2.4Ghz High-Tech Aurora system, changed from a 4.8 volt receiver pack to a 6.7 volt LIFE pack and fortunately, no problems this year.

Before moving onto the GOOD....here’s more of the BAD. On Saturday afternoon in the last round of the day...Expert John Nessler III and Sportsman Jim Slocum sought the identical chunk of air at the same time.....NOT GOOD! Several spectators told me, “this was one of the worst mid-airs I’ve seen, bits and pieces rained down for the longest!!”.

John borrowed his brother Eric’s airplane, finished the pattern with it....and WON THAT ROUND! Both were sympathetic for the other. Perhaps the line of the weekend came, when John’s wife Mary, listening to many express their sympathies to John and Jim, said, “oh, he likes to build!”. The look on John’s face was something to behold.

Now the GOOD.....first time Contest Director Paul J. Wright ran that contest like he’d been directing the NATS for years! He left nothing undone, sounded like Paul Harvey on the PA keeping both flightlines moving, programming the rotation of pilots and even solicited and received the wonderful talents of his beloved Kathleen to run every scoresheet to Jim and Bobbie Johns immediately after a landing and the John’s had the scores posted pronto. Jamie Strong was appointed Chief Judge and had very little “Idle” time due to overlapping chores. The Johns received special recognition for their chores at the awards Sunday.

All season, discussions on the LIST have been “how do we get B-Novices to enter?” I think Paul has the “ticket”. About two weeks prior to the contest, he organized a club-only mini-contest to first discuss the B-Novice pattern and it’s execution, then hold an actual flying competition for members with their sport planes or whatever which can be flown in a B-Novice competition. The rewards were telling with the largest field of B- Novice pilots at a contest so far. He reduced the entry fee for the B-Novices to $10 rather than the normal $30. Excellent programming Mr. Wright. Salutations! Kendell Robinson, who had flown one time before K’d 4 rounds in this class. Look at the scores to see the names of the area contestants. Wright presented each of the entrants a handsome “certificate of participation”, a souvenir each will treasure for years.

Joe Grant K’d 4 of the six rounds to take 1st in Sportsman with Pete Coleman and John Davis, 2nd and 3rd. Larry Hill lost his MOMMA RABBIT in a crash in round 3. Vic Koenig won 3 of 4 rounds on Saturday to cinch his victory in Sportsman. Dan Dougherty, and Doug Harvel completed the top 3. Duane Wilson, Roy Thompson (who lost his airplane in round 5), Jim Slocum (mid-aired in round 4) and Bob Wetzel who only flew 3 rounds finished in that order. Dennis Sams jockeyed his nice model to 3 K’s in the Advanced class to finish with a total score of 3970 and a win. Scott Sappington and Ken Blackwell finished in the “wood” in that class. Charlie Johns and John Nessler Jr. (Dad), who only flew 3 rounds kept the pressure on.

Let me assure you, our EXPERT class is nothing but the BEST! Had these guys been around in the “golden era”, with access to the fine radio systems etc of today...any of them would have been on the USA precision acrobatic team and whipped all comers!!

Take a bit of time to study the scores of these guys and just imagine what a “chore” judging them. Eric Nessler, with his 2 stroke Rossi powered model won two of the 6 rounds and scored “back-up’s” just high enough to tally 3989 and a 1st place. Jerry Black won 1 round with 3 high “back-ups” to amass 3975 and 2nd. John Nessler III K’d 2 rounds and with his “back’ups” scored 3960 for 3rd place wood. Greg Hoke won round # 1 which with his other 3 highest rounds tabbed 3944 for 4th. Kevin Clark, flew his biplane most of the rounds and his Curare the others amassed 3694. Jame Strong decided not to push his luck after the radio interference in round 2 and judged and worked. Strong scored 959 in round 1, the only complete round he flew. This class, as has been the case all season was the joy of the weekend....both for us judges/spectators and others in attendance.

The “Old Guys”, Senior Experts...had a good go-at-it as well, Jeff Owens won 3 rounds and the class with 3992 total, Bruce Underwood came back Sunday morning to win both remaining rounds and claimed 2nd with 3944. Dave Phillips, Jr won 3rd, with Russ Chiles, Bill Dodge (who lost his model) and Keith Watson, in that placement order.

I’ve got to put the “cherry” on top of this summary of the annual Chattanooga contest and will do that with this genuine “tip of the SPA hat” to Paul J. Wright and the CRCC club for an excellent contest and inform all that I overheard him talking with Dan Dougherty (CSP) about reserving a date for 2015. Much obliged, CRCC, it was a JOY!

Bruce Underwood, SPA PIO

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