ASHEVILLE, NC........September 12 & 13, 2015................Mama Nature showed every side she possessed this weekend here, but the only deed that outpaced her was the traditional HOSPITALITY shown by the host club, Asheville-Buncombe Aeromodelers.

Winds swirling and gusting to 50 and above at times with temps from upper 80’s to lower 40’s weren’t enough to squelch the good times.

A tradition kicked off the weekend with the great LOW COUNTRY BOIL at the Duane and Penny Wilson's lovely home complete with the annual SPA cake complete to the edible SPA Logo right on top of the delicacy.

Prep for this contest was complete in every respect. CD Will Hicks provided a sound system that must be the "state of the art"...for it could be heard anywhere on the mountain-top field. He kept all abreast of flight positions, some great ad-libs, etc. Will and Debbie both should be on radio so the public in general could experience and enjoy the clarity of both their voices. The porta-potty was convenient to us seniors who frequent it often. Trash bags furnished and other little amenities that are a part of a "well-planned" event. At no time was there not a "runner" for the completed score sheet which was immediately delivered to Debbie for score tabulation. ABA, your attention to detail was so greatly appreciated. A club contingent prepared and served barbecue and all trimmings under the covered luncheon pavilion. Nothing was overlooked!

Friday afternoon was probably the least gusty of the weekend but still almost impossible to negotiate a decent landing. Jim Johns pulled a OOPS and got his finger in an APC cutter. Duane hustled Jim off to RAPID-CARE for 21 Stitches (right). I heard Scott Sappington came to practice on Friday but lost his airplane due to conditions. Gears knocked off and many scars on models were the results of the conditions. Sportsman, Advanced and Expert got in 6 rounds, but the Senior Experts decided to not fly Sunday morning as Will checked with the weather station who advised conditions were worsening as the day progressed. He called for a "vote" of the old guys and it was 100% to defuel and have someone hold parts of models as they were dismantled and placed to a safe refuge from the gusts.

In Sportsman, Dan Dougherty K'd 4 of the 5 rounds he flew to the win. Duane Wilson tallied 1 K for a total of 3603 and 2nd. Vic Koenig only flew 1 round for 3rd after he lost his gear landing following Round 1.

Left: John Nessler Jr (Dad) won his first ever 1st Place in Advanced K'ing 4 of the 6 rounds for a perfect 4000. Jim Johns won rounds 1, 2, and 5 for a 2nd place finish of 3915. Bill Dodge only flew 4 rounds due to engine problems for 3rd.

John Nessler, III racked up a solid 4000 score in Expert pushed by Warren Oliver with 3938.

In the Senior Expert class, Jerry Black K'd all 4 of the rounds for a solid 1st, followed by Jeff Owens with 3769 for 2nd, and Dennis Sams claimed 3rd with 3559.

The ABA decided the SPORTSMANSHIP award should go home to Dutton, AL with Jim Johns (below right). Jim not only participated but lent his expertise in all categories to the success of the contest. He even allowed photos of his finger before and after the closure.

After the winners were announced for flying, it was time for the raffle drawings.

• ABA has a 50/50 sharing with participants for gas money. Dan Dougherty pocketed $18.00 to help with his expense.
• An e-flite electric airplane was donated by Hobbytown (area hobby shop). The initial drawing awarded the RTF to Keith Watson who, showing his class and his love for his 4-stroke glow engine donated it back to the club. The electric model was then awarded to Peggy Phillips and she will take it to Alabaster, AL where her hubby will probably experiment with it before passing on to their son or grandchildren.
• Anthony Blair of the Kingsport, TN club - a relatively new SPA member - won the Carolina Custom Curare (complete with all needed balsa) donated by the Carolina kit maker.
• The club purchased an ARF Dirty-Birdy (at a modest price) from Jay Marshall, and it was won by Bill Dodge from the KCRC club in Knoxville, TN.
• Best Western (HQ for MASTERS contest in Chattanooga) contributed one nights free lodging for the coming contest, Scott Anderson’s company Performance Model Aviation donated the 2nd night and lucky Duane Wilson was the beneficiary of that nice gift. Scott A. and Best Western....much obliged.

In conclusion, allow me to repeat paragraph one, ABA, you folks surely "know your stuff" when it comes to hosting an SPA contest. One of the club officials announced on the excellent sound system, "we love hosting this group, SPA, for you guys and gals are the friendliest, most fun-to-be-around, group to grace our site, so near Heaven". The altitude in Asheville is almost 3,000 feet.

ABA, the weekend with you folks is always...A BELLRINGER. We loved the weekend and are so grateful for the labor of prep and hosting displayed.

Bruce Underwood
SPA PIO