The Fogerty left Dallas for a short sea-trial, a little accident prone, no one injured, some got wet, though. Col Dave Ek was ordered to report to the bridge for two flame-out dead stick landings with his A-7, and flat-hatting in general, but both caught a wire. Skipper Phil Dunlap "grounded" the colonel for two missions...he runs a tight ship! Thanks to the Tennessee flyers who came by to fly with us, lots of fun.  A Guardian looping on takeoff into the deck gave an opportunity for the Tennessee fellows to show how quickly they can clear out....very impressive!     dg

PS: With more than a week of steady rains, it was impossible to get a vehicle/trailer into the park to transport the deck. This was acomplished using manual labor and although some tired muscles are reported the job was accomplished. I think with the weight of the old deck we would have just scuttled the boat and gone to Chubby's and toasted its demise. 

Hi Wayne,
Go back to Page 2 and the title is "Re-kindling Carrier in Big D", or something like that. It has to do with a deck that was just too heavy for us to assemble any longer, so we built one like Dick Perry designed. There are a couple of posts there, I think.

Thanks,
dale g

They are the same, the Fogerty has 3/8th plywood and Dick Perry's has 3/8th OBS, paticle board. There are no plans, it's just in Dave Ek's head. Dave is not a forum kind of guy, too busy working. He cut the 4x8 sheets a uniform size, I can't recall exact- maybe three inches off each side of one end to get the proper radius. I'll ask him when I see him next. It does work on grass, and it will work on hard surface. Since the plywood tended to warp  we installed 1x1 strips across the centers underneath and also some foam insulation under the "Walkway" so the pilots could cross the deck to get out to the handle. You always need some shimming. The planform is in the AMA rules.

Are you referring to the "bridge"? That's in Dave's head, too. Just make it up as you go,  lol

Best regards,
dale g

Dick Perry built his carrier in 4 hours, including a quick spray on gray coat. He may have put it in the NCS newsletter. I'll call Dave tonight and see what he remembers. I know you take 11 4x8 sheets of just about anything, cut two long skinny triangles off each side of each piece, lay the resultant, somewhat "pie-slice-shaped" pieces on the ground, skinny end on the inside and, Viola! Dick and Dave both found that the last two panels at the bow end need to be elevated about four inches total, a "ski-jump" effect. This wasn't needed on the 2x4 carrier decks. I don't imagine the "ski-jump" is part of any rules, but the idea is to get people in the air, and this will do it. Hang in there Wayne, helps'a'comin'!  dale

Wayne,

How about concrete.

Results for the DMAA Fall Final CL Speed & Carrier 10 - 10 & 11 - 2009 Dallas TX. Hobby Park
Weather conditions = cool & cloudy 58 degrees, 78% humidity, wind 5 to 10 MPH North East. Fuel for jet provided by DMAA 20% nitro.
    
CL Jet Speed (309)      Speed      
1st   Patrick Hempel      180.25 MPH
2nd   Steve Perkins      166.91 MPH
   
CL Sport Jet (NASS)      Speed
1st    Steve Perkins      148.09 MPH  (tie)
1st   Patrick Hempel      148.09 MPH  (tie)

21 Sport Speed      Speed
1st   Kelly Wilson      62.66 MPH

½ Proto Speed         Speed
1st   Kelly Wilson      51.25 MPH

Profile Carrier         Score
1st   Dave Ek       193.36
2nd   Kelly Wilson      120.30
 
   Class I            Score
   1st   Dave Ek      30.89

   Class II            Score   
   1st   Dale Gleason      390.709

   .15 Carrier         Score
   1st   Kelly Wilson      88.41

I would appreciate that. Grab a few pics if you can.
Thanks
Wayne