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Scores

Photos

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The Pilots flying at the 2024 Cass Underwood Memorial
L-R: Ellis Newkirk, Norman Bonnette, Dave Phillips, Clint Higdon, Jamie Strong (behind Clint), Howard Moore, Joe Ryan (kneeling), Victor McIntyre, Matthew Gibbs (kneeling), Steve Drake, Jeff Owens (kneeling), Jerry Black, Greg Hoke (kneeling), Terry Boston, Jim Johns & Paul Higginbotham

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The 2024 Cass Undewood Memorial SPA contest, sponsored by the Fountain City Flyers, was flown on April 6-7 near Prattville, AL. Several fliers arrived early in hopes of getting in some practice, but high winds foiled their plans until Friday. The early birds spent their time visiting and watching the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice for their weekend airshow at nearly Maxwell AFB. My wife and I arrived mid-day Friday to find a direct crosswind blowing out at 5-10 mph. The early arrivals were all practicing and I was able to get in 2 trim flights on my Deception which was converted to electric power over the winter. They were my first two flights since my previous visit to Prattville last October.

16 pilots from 7 states gathered for the meet on Saturday morning - 5 from Georgia, 4 from Alabama, 2 each from Mississippi & Kentucky, and 1 each from Florida, Tennessee and Texas. The weekend weather was great for south central Alabama in early April. Temperatures ranged from cool mid-40s in the mornings to warm 60s-70s in the afternoons. Winds during the contest were light - 5-10 mph - and generally close to down the runway - and cloud cover varies from none to overcast. 

CD Jamie Strong has announced earlier that we would have a delayed start due to the forecast cold morning temperatures. Therefore, the Pilots Meeting was n ot held until around 10 a.m. and the first airplane became airborne about 10:30. This allowed the very bright sun to rise high enough to be out of the pilots vision if they were careful. Due to the vast amount of open space surronding the field, pilots also had the option of taking off from N-S the runway, then turning 90° and flying perpendicular to the runway facing either North or South.

Four rounds were completed by 5 pm with a 1/2 hour break for lunch of BBQ sandwiches, chips and cold drinks around 1 pm.

Sunday was essentially a repeat of Saturday's weather and the last two rounds were completed by 11 a.m. Scores were totalled and awards were handed out shortly thereafter and everyone was headed home by about 12:30. CD Jamie Strong presented FCF member Garry Singleton with a special award in recognition of his many years as the official scorekeeper.

Everyone had a fine time and are all looking forward to our next visit to Prattville. You'll find the results below and there is  link at the top to the photos.

Jim Johns

Final Scores
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