The weekend of July 18 & 19 was about as hot as it ever gets here in Alabama...but thanks to the "on the field" AC and lots of electric fans (some used generators)..the show went on just as CD Steve Byrum directed. Byrum has shown his expertise in the contest-directing role many times at not only Burdeshaw field but the three previous fields that Cullman Aeromodellers has had.

Model Aviation was huge in the Cullman area in the "golden-era" of SPA when the likes of Richard Witt, Steve Byrum, Chuck McQuaig, Dick Austin and others were VERY active. This is one reason many of us present-day modelers enjoy flying with that good bunch. The contest's in the "golden-era" were the pre-turnaround genre, almost identical to those patterns we fly in SPA. Loads of sweat were offset with available water and Gator Ade. Nary a case of dehydration as the club made ice cold waters available to the judges.

Friday afternoon was a great day for practice and many of the attendees took advantage of practice flights off the smooth, freshly mowed grass strip. Only one crash on Friday when Bill Dodge gave "up" on his triangle rolling loop and impacted "Terra Firma. Bruce Underwood caught the unmowed area just North of the runway on landing after round-1 on Saturday and almost re-kitted his Daddy-Rabbit. Fred Robertson caught a tree on the extreme South end with his electric powered bird on Sunday and after a good long hunt it was found, yep, in about 50 pieces.

Let me share some genuine "KUDOS" to veteran CD Steve Byrum.....in all the years that he has "directed" contests, he never fails to display his Patriotism and "class". This Saturday morning, prior to the beginning of the Pilot's briefing, he called for the Invocation and then we all held our hands on our hearts, some vets saluted OLD GLORY as we enjoyed the National Anthem sung by Faith Hill (via Steve's boombox). As you can see, there was NO air moving most of both days.

Now for the Good stuff......Just as Steve had intended, four rounds were completed on Saturday and two on Sunday with 4 of 6 rounds tallied for the total scores. Jim Johns will post the results soon. It was off to that great Bar-B-Q and steak restaurant at 7 on Saturday night. Ken Blackwell fessed-up to me on Sunday that he didn't sleep well because he consumed so much good bar-b-q. A plea was voiced to Him, in the invocation, to perhaps provide some event that will cool us, and just like we folks of faith knew, He did, with about a 1/4 inch "Pop-up" shower about 2:35 PM that only halted flying for about 35 minutes, but dropped the temps by 15 to 20 degrees for a couple hours. All agreed, "this was as refreshing as a cool shower in an air-conditioned motel shower stall"!

Sunday morning, flying was halted for about another 35 minutes while another "pop-up" came and went. One of the advantages provided by this one was the accompanying clouds that allowed some comfortable flying while facing East. The wind on Sunday did a 180 between the two rounds and flight direction was opposite in round 6 than in 5. For the most part, note the shot of OLD GLORY, wind was almost non existent except for the little "pop-ups".

At the awards ceremony Sunday, Cullman Aeromodellers made the excellent selection of Mr. Pete Coleman of the PCMA club in the Atlanta, GA area as winner of the Sportsmanship award. Steve explained that Pete was suffering from "walking-pneumonia" but elected to participate and support the contest. (Ed note)....."most appropriate"! Congratulations Pete, we need more in our great sport like YOU!

Cullman aeromodellers, it is a joy to visit with you each year, our gratitude to you, President Lavell Thrasher and First Lady Jackie and your clubmembers who made certain, we attendees had a most enjoyable weekend. As Steve commented in his awards ceremony, I realize it was extremely hot weather, but "it was cool for us to spend one weekend of 2015 with you stalwarts". He concluded," we're already expecting good weather for next year". Many thanks for a memorable weekend.

Here's a shot of the SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD that went to Mr. Pete Coleman, then a shot of the graphic on Pete's kit Dirty-Birdy he built 7 years ago, sold it then bought it back in time to practice 4 flights prior to contest. Pete said John Baxter did the graphics for him. It's powered with a Rossie 60F w/Jett muffler, 11/8 APC and 10% fuel. He likes it tuned to about 12K RPM, but says if leaned further will max to 13.5 K.

Bruce Underwood, PIO