I've just returned from the 2012 Jim Cole Memorial contest that was held in Hurlock, MD this past weekend. I'm very pleased to report that I got beat there by a young man who has been knocking hard on the door for the past few years. Mike Palko flew his gorgeous electric powered Mustang to a very well deserved first place in Expert Stunt at the meet, and I couldn't be happier for him.

Let me be clear here; Mike won this one fair and square. I placed second and Dan Banjock was close behind in third. It was a hard fought meet, and the weather could not have been better. We all had good air and it was a fun battle.

I'm especially proud of Mike because I saw him break onto the CL Stunt scene back around 1996 at Brodaks’ contest. He was flying a pretty ship, but it was fraught with trim problems. He seemed to be having a lot of trouble with several of the maneuvers and I was sure that with a bit of trim help he might do better. I flew the ship and was amazed at just how bad it was. In fact, I didn't even attempt to fly the full pattern with that model. I did, however, gain a lot of respect for Mike for being able to make it look as good as he did. I had my Mackey Lark with me on that occasion, and it was one of the better Classic models that I've owned over the years. I offered Mike a "ride" on the Lark and then watched in total amazement as he flew it flawlessly through the pattern I knew right then that Mike had superior talent and that he would eventually climb to the top of the stunt ladder.

Mike’s path was interrupted a bit by the normal things that young men have to deal with. School, getting a job and preparing for all the other great things in life came first – as they should. Mike is now ready to really show what his real capability is in this event, and we’d all better start practicing harder!

This reminds me of the first time that I beat Gene Schaffer at a local meet. I thought I’d done something wrong! Gene was very gracious and was the first to congratulate me on the win. I made a point of being the first one to congratulate Mike yesterday. Dan Banjock, John Saunders and I even conspired successfully to dowse Mike with a bucket of cold water at the trophy ceremony. He was totally surprised!

I can take some consolation from the defeat in knowing that Mike flew my Mustang design. He did a few very wise alterations to the original design by lowering the height of the fin a bit and shortening the landing gear from what I had drawn. We are going to work together to bring that design out in full plan form, as we’ve both received a lot of requests for it.

After the contest Mike, Dan and I flew each others planes.  On this occasion I was flying my Genesis Extreme and had just taped the hinge gaps. Mike had flown that ship a few years ago and liked it. He liked it even better with the sealed gaps. Hey, so did I!  He told me that not only were our handle settings virtually the same, but that the Mustang and the Genesis felt almost identical in turn rate and lock. When I flew the Mustang I had to agree; they are very similar in feel. Mike’s Mustang simply flies great and I am now thinking that I should probably build one! I started one along with Mike and Dan back around 1997. Dan finished his quickly and used it to place in the top ten at the Nats a couple of times. Mike’s build was interrupted by school and an unruly cat that “ate” a part of his Mustang’s wing. He repaired the damage flawlessly and finished the ship a few years back. He placed in the top ten at the Nats with that ship and went on to win the Brodak Fly-In two or three times as I remember, including this year!  In a weak moment I sold the parts that I had made for my Mustang. Now I know that was a mistake!

I’m thinking of installing a set of the E-Flite electric retracts in the Mustang if I do opt to build one. That would complete the “look” I had envisioned from the start. Gear up or down, however, Mike has shown that this one is a great flying ship.

As the Eagles' song announced, “There’s a new kid in town”… And he’s serious!

Congrats Mike, you certainly earned it!

(Oh, and by the way… electric powered models placed first and second, and there were a large number of electric powered models entered in the other PAMPA classes and in the profile classes.)

Bob Hunt

(This reply is a copy/paste from the open forum)

Thank you all for the gracious comments!

Bob has always offered to help me (and many others) with anything I need and has been more than generous with his time. Dan and I spent weekend after weekend building the Mustangs in Bobs shop and I have since spent many days there cutting lost foam fixtures and discussing electric power systems.

Bob was the perfect sportsman Sunday and congratulated me many times on my win. Shortly thereafter Bob said he will now work even harder to ensure it will never happen again. I plan to do the same to ensure it does! The first place flier changed hands several times during rounds 1 and 2 which made for a great day of competition.

At the awards ceremony Bob came up front and put his arms out to give me a hug. The hug started to go unusually long, but I thought to myself, maybe Bob is pausing to let people take pictures (I was facing away from the audience and had no idea what was in store). NOPE, Bob was stalling until Dan Banjock and John Saunders could get the water cooler. Bob quickly pulled away and left me standing all alone and soaking wet! I should have seen this coming I thought......

Thanks again Bob.

Mike

This is what is great about the model airplane family.

Congratulations, Mike.  You really deserve it!  And kudos to Bob Hunt for bringing it to our attention.  Both guys are very class acts.

Bill

Vince,

I'm not sure what to say other than thank you! I've enjoyed helping you every step of the way.

Mike