AMA Nats Update July 15 – Pattern
This Just In from Mark Atwood:
Ok… here ya go. Lots of photos, but you can pick and choose. (Click Here for All the pics Mark has sent thus far)
AC is flying very well. Currently in 6th place…
Preparing for Rnd 2 - Andrew Calling for me
Monday July 13th, 2009
Things get rolling today with registration, Judging certification and the opening ceremonies and Pilots meeting. Having attended a spring judging certification back in April, I was again free to practice most of the day up until the pilots meeting. Weather predictions for the first rounds are for the winds to shift ESE which have us flying the opposite direction from most of our practice. Luckily the winds in the morning were light enough to fly the “wrong” way without major difficulty (save for Spins). Later in the day though we were back flying right to left and just working on individual maneuvers.
9 flights and another gallon of fuel and we’re off to the Pilot’s meeting. This is like a old reunion social event and many of the same people compete year after year and we all get to reunite annually. I quickly spotted Chris Fitzsimmons who was sporting what looked to be a new Airtronics shirt….I’ll have to investigate that later!
Dave Guerin (event director) presented the usual opening remarks, reviewed protest procedures, safety procedures, rule changes, and a few unpopular judging clarifications and then everyone went back to socializing for the evening and mentally preparing for the next day.
Tuesday July 14th, 2009
Let the contest begin!! I’m not sure how most feel, but I’m a bundle of nerves at the Nat’s. Woke up at 5am without an alarm, and started loading the van. Arrival at the site confirmed that I wasn’t the only one, and many were already there and unloaded. The “spread” of pattern planes was AMAZING as always, but I think the quality of planes is improving annually. Just on our FAI line of 15 pilots I counted 26 airplanes which means almost everyone had backups to fly. Figuring about $4K apiece ready to fly we’re looking at $100,000 worth of aircraft sitting on the runway!
Harry Ells of Canada drew the short straw and kicked off the contest with the first flight. Dead calm on the ground, and a serious headwind above 100ft. Caught the first 2-3 pilots WAY off guard creating some interesting maneuvers. Most after that were able to adapt and compensate rather well though. I flew 6th and flew an OK round but seriously shorted my snaps (nerves I think) which hurt my scores. AC Glen put up a great flight in the wind with his SD-10 but it was Andrew Jesky that smoked the first round putting up a near flawless flight.
AC Glen with his SD-10G and No 1 and 2 Aircraft
Round two the wind had picked up at all levels, but most had little trouble with it. Chip Hyde stole this round with his own spectacular flying. AC put up another great round and I…well…I need to relax! Tomorrow will be better ☺
First day FAI standings Have Andrew and Chip at 1,2 with AC Glenn in 6th and I’m sitting waaay back in 20th place. I’m on the bubble at the moment to make the cut for the semi-finals, so I’ll need to fly well tomorrow.
Packed up after our two rounds and hit the practice field hard for the afternoon and evening, and relaxed a little at the end and flew a heli for a bit. Tomorrow is expected to bring heavy winds, thunderstorms and some rain. Could be ugly….
AC's VERY cool SD-10G Tx Stand
