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2018
SPA West Championships
Pilots were great about having their airplanes fueled and ready to fly as soon as the previous pilot landed. It can be a real challenge to get judges and pilots in position when running two flight lines and Tab did a great in keeping them going. Now for the important stuff, competition. Anthony Blair was the lone Novice pilot. He as practicing looking into the morning sun, got disoriented and you know the result. Fortunately, he brought a backup airplane and finished the contest.
Advanced class had a separation of only five points with Chris Berardi and Sam Corlett winning three rounds each. Chris had a total of 3989 and Sam 3984. Bobby Zikes was third with Gary Alphin fourth and Tommy Scarmardo fifth.
Senior Expert had Ken Knotts and Dave Phillips competing. Ken took first.
Thanks again to everyone who attended and who helped. We look forward to next years new maneuvers and new contest. Ken Knotts |
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Senior Pattern Association |
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| Dedicated to the Building, Flying and Competition of Vintage Pattern Model Aircraft | ||
The
SPA West Championships competition is in the books and
what a wonderful event. Saturday was brisk with
temperatures in the mid thirties with light winds and
bright sunshine. Sunday as a little warmer but increased
winds made it seem cooler. Sixteen competed in all
classes and there was some magnificent flying and very
close scores. When we added the scores for the Annual
Points Champion in each class, there was a tie for the
Advanced Champion.
There
are so many people to thank for a successful meet. Gary
Alphin did a great job organizing the contest and
getting things going (just ask those that were late for
pictures and the pilots meeting!). My wife Joyce cooked
enough chicken and dumplings for all the pilots, helpers
and visitors. Tab Bowland stepped in as Air Boss and the
kept lines moving and judges in their chairs. Brian
Alphin again and Kelli Shaw did the score entry with Ian
Waring and Mel Wells running scores both days. Our
normal entry to the park was closed due to high water so
we had to go through a locked back way and Ian and Mel
manned the gate Saturday and Sunday mornings. Leslie
Ensign and Kelli helped with pilot registration and
raffle registration and serving lunch. Keith Knotts took
individual pictures and group pictures, edited them and
made a certificate for each pilot so that we only had to
enter the place they finished. And Brian printed
certificates and framed them. It takes a lot of people
to put on a contest!
It
was a pleasure to have Jamie Strong, Jim Strong and Dave
Phillips from Alabama. We also had new SPA pilot Anthony
Blair from College Station, Texas and Tommy Scarmardo
from Houston, Texas.
The
Sportsman division had young Samuel Corlett winning four
rounds with Jim Strong winning the other two. Sam won
with Jim in second, Eddie Bernaldez third and Paul
Mayhan in fourth.
The
Experts put on a real show in the light winds. Wayne
Galligan led after the first day then Pat Ensign turned
it on again and won with a total of 4000 points with
Wayne taking second. Jamie Strong came in third even
with a battery ejection through the canopy in one round.
Dave Dingman flew very well for a fourth place finish.
