2021 US National Championships CLPA Coverage......

[Dave_Trible]

Once again we are about to begin the Nationals for 2021.  This begins about one month earlier than usual.  Parts of the R/C World Championships WERE to take place in Muncie in the normal time frame for our CLPA event so we were moved to June.  Then due to Covid those World Championships were delayed/cancelled.  We asked to have our regular spot back but apparently the cake was already baked so it is that we will begin on the 21st. ( the 20th for Beginner and Intermediate).  It IS possible this might happen again next year IF the FAI decides to try the R/C Worlds in Muncie once again.  For some I know you have just begun to get flying weather to prepare.  Your preparations must be in overdrive right now.  We can't know very much about how the weather will treat us this early in Muncie.  I'd expect a bit more rain and maybe wind-who knows.  In any event the show is about to begin.  It's not too late to make plans and get to Muncie.  You will be allowed to enter regular stunt events right up until noon on Monday the 21st.  Of course we'd prefer you did so before that for logistical purposes but if your decision comes at the last minute then by all means come.
It has been something of a struggle to find enough help to put this Nats on.  Only in the last day or two have we had the last two of the minimum required number of judges to be able to function in normal format give up other plans and step up to help.  We cannot thank them enough.  We still fell short on the tabulation team.  I made the decision to hire a young lady through Ball State University (with a Masters degree) to help fill the gap.  To my knowledge this is the first time we've actually had a paid employee to help put on the Nats.  I'm so glad she is joining us.  However I am sad that we could not find help within our ranks....at a Nats where the projected turn is larger than in the last four or five years.  We were so concerned about judges that we put together a program to ask eight of our contestants to pick up a clip board and judge a class they are not flying in between rounds. We were prepared to use them up until just yesterday when it became apparent we would meet the required minimum.  I am asking these guys still go through the judges training sessions with the head judge in the unlikely event we lose a judge during the week but also,  get some Nats-level experience under their belts so that perhaps they might come to judge in the future for the Nats, Team Trials and any other major events.
So we hope to see a large turn out for the pre-Nats Beginner and Intermediate events on Sunday.  You will have many willing and able top flyers on hand who will be thrilled to help you be successful and learn things you can't any other way.
Monday:  This is our first and organizationally most important day.  The high points:

1. All operations will be done at the LPad,  Nothing will occur at the 180 Building so don't go there!

2. We will begin pilot/airplane processing at 1:00 pm if not before if we are ready.  Bring your airplane to the tents set up in front of the pavilion with your AMA license and AARP card (just kidding).  You will stay with your airplane through the whole process.  You will go to the check-in table where we will check your license,  get your correct AMA number, flying class/event and have you sign the AMA safety declaration.  You will then move on to the weigh-in table for that purpose.  You will then follow directions and approach the Appearance judging table.  Here the judges will look your model over and assign a score.  Please limit your conversation with the judges so they may do their work and keep the line moving.  They will give your score to the usher who will lead you to the row corresponding to the score given and you will set the airplane down there where it will remain until after the concours walk later.  If it rains we will have other plans.

3. Once everyone has been through the line (CLOSED at 2:30) we will have a VERY brief pilots meeting and take questions.  Hopefully by the time the meeting is over we will have the circle and flight assignments made and have a printed sheet with that info available for you.  Once the meeting ends we will have the Concours Walk where YOU will vote on the best looking airplane.  This award will be given before we adjourn.

4.  After this you are free to go fly, eat or whatever you wish.  Judges and Contestant/Judges will attend the classroom training session with Mark Overmeir at the AMA Boardroom upstairs in the AMA HQ building at 6:00 pm. Monday.

AMA and Brenda Schuette our overall control line director has asked me to remind everyone who will be flying down at the grass circle area NOT to park up next to the ropes but rather, leave an emergency travel lane next to the ropes.  This will include putting up tents.  Please follow any instructions from there.  Honestly it is also better to get these obstructions further away from the flying circles anyway should the wind happen to be coming over/around them from that direction.  Also remember the circle drive at the LPad is for unloading only during competition hours.  You are not to park there and will need to move your vehicle to one one the gravel lots.  After hours I don't think anybody cares much but Brenda will 'gitya' if you park there during the day.  Also if you have any emergency contact us immediately.  If you are practicing at the LPad or in the grass after hours and you have any casual R/C flyers or otherwise anything other than CL aerobatics trying to use the facility let me know-we "own" the site for the week and I will remove them.

Tuesday is Officially an off-day for practice.  However don't forget we will be flying Old Time, Classic and N30 events on the grass circles Tuesday.  If we have a wash out down there these events will be moved to circles 1 and 2 on the LPad.  Practice may continue on circles 3 and 4.  The full schedule for the week will be posted on the scoreboard in the pavilion.

I will remind the electric flyers we take the safety precautions seriously.  Use all safety plug/ pitman protocols anytime you are on the LPad.  We will have only one pit boss I believe.  This again means you are on the honor system to pull your own airplanes at different times.  It will be your responsibility to get into the pits, set and pulled in time.  I'd suggest you follow your circle flight order and move into the pits when the flight FOUR  before you goes up.  Keep it moving.

Well, here we go!  You may place your bets here.  Please keep your discussions clean and on topic since this will be the permanent record of this event.

Dave

[Brett Buck]

I will remind the electric flyers we take the safety precautions seriously.  Use all safety plug/ pitman protocols anytime you are on the LPad. 

  On that topic, are the rule book rules for the arming plug going to be used, or are we going to use the special NATs rules (as were last year)?  I am not hard-over (since I am not flying electric) but it was clear that there was some confusion last year on that topic, leading to the situation in the flyoff.

    Essentially it is the "safety thong until disarmed" that David and I came up before it was in the rule book VS the rule book, where we intentionally removed the safety thong part of it during the rule proposal process.

   Brett

[Dave_Trible]

Brett I am going to leave the interpretation up to Mark and the judges but will back whatever they say.  If not here beforehand I will ask them to TOTALLY clarify the issue at the pilots meeting.  Since I too am an IC guy I can't feel it's appropriate to offer my opinion other than to say I am fully aware of the possible calamity that can occur unless precautions are taken-sort of like leaving a fueled airplane sitting with starting battery attached on a hot day.

Dave

[James Mills]

David,

At the risk of asking a silly question, when you say "liscense" during pilot check in do you mean our AMA card?

Thanks,

James

[Dave_Trible]

Yes Jim.  Your AMA card.

Dave

James this got me thinking where this came from.  Us old(er) timers remember it used to be called the AMA Sporting License back when.  Maybe somewhere the word lawyers didn't think this was proper and convinced AMA to change it.  When someone calls it a license be kind-their age is showing...

[James Mills]

Yes Jim.  Your AMA card.

Dave

Thanks Dave

[Brett Buck]

Brett I am going to leave the interpretation up to Mark and the judges but will back whatever they say.  If not here beforehand I will ask them to TOTALLY clarify the issue at the pilots meeting.  Since I too am an IC guy I can't feel it's appropriate to offer my opinion other than to say I am fully aware of the possible calamity that can occur unless precautions are taken-sort of like leaving a fueled airplane sitting with starting battery attached on a hot day.

   I think we are on the same page, but I also think that the written rule is sufficient, without being onerous or creating an "gotcha" trap.

     Brett

[Dave_Trible]

I was asked if there will be food available on site for lunch.  I'm almost positive there won't be at the LPad.  However I'd expect the food vendor across the way at the RC Pylon site (4?) will be there as has been the last couple times.  These are contract situations with AMA.  For several years we had the Scout troup providing (very good) food for us but one year they had a problem and couldn't make it.  AMA wouldn't allow them to come again the next year for breaking contract.  So you can bet the food truck will be over there.  I don't know about Monday or the weekends.  You could consider bringing something then in case.

BTW Control line (and RC) Scale will be going on the weekend before we begin.  Come early and bring your camera!

Dave

[Dave_Trible]

That brings to mind another related subject.  After the Nats we will be looking for photos and written content to construct a large article on the Nats for the PAMPA website.  Please keep us in mind and contribute anything you gather to Bob Hunt.  Nobody has yet been assigned to write it but we will figure that out.  Also feel free to report here from the site with your pics and scoreboard shots (please after rounds close).  We will once again be mostly consumed and not have much time to do so.  I WILL attempt to do the Saturday play by play.  Maybe some Friday.  I hope Robert will have his broadcast up and running.

Dave

[Derek Barry]

I just want to wish everyone good luck and safe travels this year. I have decided to skip this Nats. The main reason is my "new" plane had too many issues to be Nats worthy.  It has been stripped back down to wood, and will be ready for next year, along with another one that is under construction currently. 

Ever since Melissa and I have been together, 15 years now, all of my vacation time has gone to airplane events. I'm going to take this opportunity to do a family vacation at the beach, and a few other places. I will be thinking of you guys as I sip my margaritas.

Derek

[Dave_Trible]

Derek I had wondered since I didn't see your name on the early entry list.  You will be greatly missed.  Have a great time and watch out for sharks!  See ya next year.....

Dave

[Derek Barry]

Derek I had wondered since I didn't see your name on the early entry list.  You will be greatly missed.  Have a great time and watch out for sharks!  See ya next year.....

Dave

Thanks Dave! I hope everything runs smoothly for you, and once again,  thanks for stepping up to run the event!

Derek

[Dave_Trible]

And another question came my way.  "When is the Jr/Sr Appearance judging?"  I hadn't yet addressed it.  I'm pretty sure we did this last year on Friday afternoon after the flying and festivities from the day.  This is best because it's possible we could have a judge (or two) flying Saturday morning and need to get the processing done the day before so as not to be a problem Saturday morning.  We will therefore have Jr/Sr processing Friday afternoon as things wind up for the Advanced and Open groups.  Also your FLIGHT judges for Junior and Senior will be Dennis Adamisin and John Paris.  The Jr/Sr flight circle will be circle 2.

Thanks for the question.

Dave

[SteveMoon]

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be attending D-Bear. We will be
missing your leadership at the nightly prayer meetings!

Later, Steve

[Dave_Trible]

That is the one by the beer bush?

Dave

[Matt Colan]

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be attending D-Bear. We will be
missing your leadership at the nightly prayer meetings!

Later, Steve

 

[Konstantin Bajaikine]

Hi
Is there changes in AMA rules on how Four Leaf Clover will be flown ?  On some contests in Europe they fly it differently already...

Konstantin Bajaikine

[Dave_Trible]

Excellent question!!!  We called the chairman of the CL contest board a couple weeks ago with just that question.  Keith told us that the rule wasn’t yet on the books so we will be sticking with the long- standing maneuver entry that exists at least for this year.

Dave

[Konstantin Bajaikine]

Thanks !

[Derek Barry]

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be attending D-Bear. We will be
missing your leadership at the nightly prayer meetings!

Later, Steve

Hahaha!

[Howard Rush]

And another question came my way.  "When is the Jr/Sr Appearance judging?"  I hadn't yet addressed it.  I'm pretty sure we did this last year on Friday afternoon after the flying and festivities from the day.  This is best because it's possible we could have a judge (or two) flying Saturday morning and need to get the processing done the day before so as not to be a problem Saturday morning.  We will therefore have Jr/Sr processing Friday afternoon as things wind up for the Advanced and Open groups.  Also your FLIGHT judges for Junior and Senior will be Dennis Adamisin and John Paris.  The Jr/Sr flight circle will be circle 2.

Thanks for the question.

Dave

Good idea.  Friday processing allows you to print the JS scoresheets and pull test form Friday evening, which is less hectic and less humid--sometimes a problem for printing that funny paper.

[Dave_Trible]

..

[Dave_Trible]

Will you take one home?

Dave

[Dave_Trible]

I was looking at the weather forecast for Muncie over the next 10 days.  It looks pretty windy over the coming weekend which could limit some practice and a likelihood of some storms (welcome to Muncie).  By Wednesday it looks pretty decent for the rest of the week.  Temps will be in a very comfortable 75-83 degree range.  Bring a jacket for cooler mornings and some rain gear, and extra shoes for wet grass.  You will probably find some extra time to spend in the museum.  Out west here ( KC is west to some) we have had really hot days already so moderate temperatures will be welcome.

Dave

[Matt Colan]

What’s the contingency plan if it rains during appearance judging?

[dale gleason]

Raincoats

[Dave_Trible]

Matt I think Dale has the best plan.  However we should be able to continue with the Appearance judging and that will allow us to carry on with prep and data entry on our end.  What may have to change is the Concours Walk.  If need be we will likely opt to do that Tuesday in the later afternoon following the unofficial events.  I hope we just get lucky like last year.

Dave

[EricV]

Matt I think Dale has the best plan.  However we should be able to continue with the Appearance judging and that will allow us to carry on with prep and data entry on our end.  What may have to change is the Concours Walk.  If need be we will likely opt to do that Tuesday in the later afternoon following the unofficial events.  I hope we just get lucky like last year.

Dave

There is always the AMA building rollup garage space... like when AMA had the scout's in there when the rain was so bad their campsite became a swamp, heh.
Eric

[Dave_Trible]

Very good idea too Eric.  BTW.. where ya been?

Dave

[Shorts,David]

That brings to mind another related subject.  After the Nats we will be looking for photos and written content to construct a large article on the Nats for the PAMPA website.  Please keep us in mind and contribute anything you gather to Bob Hunt.  Nobody has yet been assigned to write it but we will figure that out.  Also feel free to report here from the site with your pics and scoreboard shots (please after rounds close).  We will once again be mostly consumed and not have much time to do so.  I WILL attempt to do the Saturday play by play.  Maybe some Friday.  I hope Robert will have his broadcast up and running.

Dave

I will have my camera with me. Hopefully I'll get enough to make a good video too.

[EricV]

Very good idea too Eric.  BTW.. where ya been?

Dave

Thanks, I was allowed some time off from Stunt for good behavior.    Or, as Ross kept telling Rachel "We were on a break!"

I don't want to bring your thread down or derail it, lets just say I've been on an extended break. When you have to force yourself and the thrill is gone, its time to take a break. I burned out. I've seen others lose interest, but they stuck around and just made everyone around them miserable, or worse yet, make some grandiose announcement to let everyone know they were leaving. I don't want to be that guy. If your not having fun, time to move on or take a break. I quietly slipped away a few years ago actually. 

It didn't help that I lost a few family members, had to take care of 2 of them with long term illnesses, one who just recently passed away. Add to that my flying field being an hour drive each way... then add to that being self employed, running a small IT company, lets just say free time isn't free these days. Killing the better part of a day to go put up even 1 or 2 practice flights just wasn't doing it for me.

I kept all the important stuff, for when I get the urge again... no rash decisions like some I knew that have bailed and burned bridges. I just hope Stunt is still around by the time I retire and am ready to pick it up again.  Aren't ya glad you asked? 

[Dave_Trible]

Actually yes.  We will be waiting for your return buddy.  I'm on my second or third comeback 

Dave

[Brett Buck]

I am sure we will find out we get there, but what is the 17-year locust situation in Muncie?

     Brett

[Dave_Trible]

Oh Cr#$! Just when I was starting to relax........  Glow fuel makes pretty good bug repellent. 

Dave

[Brett Buck]

Oh Cr#$! Just when I was starting to relax........  Glow fuel makes pretty good bug repellent. 

   350 million years of evolution couldn't stop them, so, while the NATS Stunt ED is indeed a powerful position,  I think we can see our way clear to not holding you personally responsible.

    Brett

[Jim Svitko]

With cicadas being in the news, some of you might have seen the reports about some restaurants adding them to the menu.  Here in DFW, one of the local newscasts had a brief article about cicadas being added as a pizza topping.

I heard insects were high in protein but I would have to be reincarnated as an iguana before I could bring myself to eat one.

[Brett Buck]

With cicadas being in the news, some of you might have seen the reports about some restaurants adding them to the menu.  Here in DFW, one of the local newscasts had a brief article about cicadas being added as a pizza topping.

   Praying mantises give this dish 6 thumbs up.

   To bad Derek isn't coming, locust has been on the menu at Pizza King for 30 years now.

     Brett

[Derek Barry]

   Praying mantises give this dish 6 thumbs up.

   To bad Derek isn't coming, locust has been on the menu at Pizza King for 30 years now.

     Brett

I knew that "ground beef" had a strange flavor.

Derek

[Brett Buck]

I knew that "ground beef" had a strange flavor.

   Thank you for your enthusiastic participation in the circle of life!

    Brett

[Howard Rush]

The Jive Combat Team
Will never eat bugs.
We eat the best steaks
And take the best drugs.

[Dennis Adamisin]

With cicadas being in the news, some of you might have seen the reports about some restaurants adding them to the menu.  Here in DFW, one of the local newscasts had a brief article about cicadas being added as a pizza topping.

I heard insects were high in protein but I would have to be reincarnated as an iguana before I could bring myself to eat one.

When the Cicadas hit Brodak's a few years back, seemed like EVERYTHING we ate or drank had a cicada topping.

[Dave_Trible]

I arrived this afternoon.  One thing you will have your fill of this week is orange barrels-everywhere.  BEWARE if you are coming from the west-I 65 IS CLOSED near downtown Indy.  When signs SUGGEST you go I 465 do so.  I trusted ON STAR and it kept trying to send me down closed hiways.  I finally just drove east on side roads and got out the Google Maps.  It found my way back to I 70.  Then McGalliard is down to one lane both ways near the hotels.  Then Hwy 32 going to AMA is down to one lane both ways while they rebuild the bridges......then they are pouring new curbs around the hotels.....
I got to AMA they were FLYING scale.  Today was supposed to be just static judging.  However the wind forecast for the next two days is, well, gales.  SO the voted to fly today.  That brings me to another issue (which will receive my complaints tomorrow),  The LPad AND the grass circles (they say) are closed to flying until 5:00 pm Saturday due to RC scale fly-over.  Today I understand they flew over the McCool site even though CL scale was being flown.  I will address at least being able to use the north grass circles for Friday and Saturday practice.......Watch this space.

Dave

[Dave_Trible]

A morning update.  For now it doesn’t matter as it is pouring rain here but we will NOT be allowed access to the LPad OR the grass circles until 5:00 pm Saturday.  They are allowing the combat guys use of ONE circle.  Now that they flew the OFFICIAL scale event yesterday at the McCool site it too is now closed due to IMAC. 

Dave

[Gerald Arana]

   Praying mantises give this dish 6 thumbs up.

   To bad Derek isn't coming, locust has been on the menu at Pizza King for 30 years now.

     Brett

  Good one Brett! LMAO!

Jerry

[EricV]

   Praying mantises give this dish 6 thumbs up.

   To bad Derek isn't coming, locust has been on the menu at Pizza King for 30 years now.

     Brett

You really have to be on the Pizza King's elite squad to qualify for the Tat!

Shredded peperoni? Really? The cicada's are probably less sacrilegious. Only thing worse is probably the amount of agita or heartburn caused by the metric tonnage of sugar in their sauce. Pizza King has to be the ChefBoyRDee of Pizza joints, and I need to apologize to the Chef for that comparison. *GAG*

Eric

*My first Nat's trip to Muncie, I run into Windy in the hotel lobby... I ask him "Windy, if anyone would know, you would... where can a guy find a good Pizza in this town? His first expression was priceless... like someone had just asked him to explain how splitting the atom was related to the mating of fruit flies, then he just bust out laughing and said "Kid, you must be lost, there ain't a good pizza within 100 miles of this joint". Ahhh, memories.

[Steve Fitton]

Eric

*My first Nat's trip to Muncie, I run into Windy in the hotel lobby... I ask him "Windy, if anyone would know, you would... where can a guy find a good Pizza in this town? His first expression was priceless... like someone had just asked him to explain how splitting the atom was related to the mating of fruit flies, then he just bust out laughing and said "Kid, you must be lost, there ain't a good pizza within 100 miles of this joint". Ahhh, memories.

Bill Rich lied to you and me that Pizza King was a good place to eat.  I won't forget that first Nats trip to Pizza King and we were both horrified.

[Brett Buck]

Today I understand they flew over the McCool site even though CL scale was being flown. 

    As far as I can tell, most of them have *absolutely no control" over where they are flying, so they can get told to avoid X and Y, they will all nod, then obliviously fly wherever random chance takes them. In 2014 or 15, I was flying my Top 20 flight, the wind was from the SSE, and when I was doing my vertical 8, some giant scale airplane flew past, well to the North of the L-pad, and 30 degrees elevation, maybe 200 feet north of the pad. To his credit, he did to seem to avoid flying over the TR circles - because we went *far* past them on the other side. This is when they were "strictly prohibited" from going past the road, and about 15 minutes before a different airplane went vertically into the road 5 feet in front of  moving truck.

      And while I cannot speak for the scale competitors at the NATs, but the vast, vast majority of the RC guys I talk to see *absolutely no problem* flying over other people (participants or not) and can't see why everybody else is getting so upset.

     I think it is a terrible situation when we can't have all the events together, but it's even worse when supposedly national-caliber modelers have proven time and again that they are incapable of building models and then safely flying them. I am not sure what the problem might be, maybe it is lack of test flying, maybe piloting incompetence, or maybe just not caring about the problem. I don't know, but it is clear to me we cannot coexist with them if the events overlap.

    Brett

     

[Derek Barry]

    As far as I can tell, most of them have *absolutely no control" over where they are flying, so they can get told to avoid X and Y, they will all nod, then obliviously fly wherever random chance takes them. In 2014 or 15, I was flying my Top 20 flight, the wind was from the SSE, and when I was doing my vertical 8, some giant scale airplane flew past, well to the North of the L-pad, and 30 degrees elevation, maybe 200 feet north of the pad. To his credit, he did to seem to avoid flying over the TR circles - because we went *far* past them on the other side. This is when they were "strictly prohibited" from going past the road, and about 15 minutes before a different airplane went vertically into the road 5 feet in front of  moving truck.

      And while I cannot speak for the scale competitors at the NATs, but the vast, vast majority of the RC guys I talk to see *absolutely no problem* flying over other people (participants or not) and can't see why everybody else is getting so upset.

     I think it is a terrible situation when we can't have all the events together, but it's even worse when supposedly national-caliber modelers have proven time and again that they are incapable of building models and then safely flying them. I am not sure what the problem might be, maybe it is lack of test flying, maybe piloting incompetence, or maybe just not caring about the problem. I don't know, but it is clear to me we cannot coexist with them if the events overlap.

    Brett

     

I was there for both of those events. I think you and I were on circle 4 when the plane crashed in the street.

Last year or the year before, a damaged pylon plane came zipping past me, while flying on 4. It was only a few feet off of the asphalt,  as it passed by at 30' in the air. Crashed just off of circle 3.

Derek

[Dave_Trible]

Saturday morning update:
The IMAC group finished up last night.  Today we are open on all fields and the LPad to practice.  It rained well last night and this morning but I am now on the grass circles and they are fine.  It’s a bit windy but not like yesterday.  Another small rain cell may be on the way soon but should be brief.  Combat looks to be getting under way.  AMA put up two 20x20 tents by the LPad.  We will likely go ahead and put up at least one of OUR new tents this afternoon when the shower passes to add capacity. 

Dave

Also to add:  I was again reminded this morning NOT to allow parking OR canopies at the grass fields between the ropes and the portajohns.  Leave the lane wide open please.  Also no other canopies INSIDE the ropes.  We asked AMA to provide a large 20x20 tent at each circle-they did- and that’s all they want inside the ropes.

[Dave_Trible]

REMINDER::::
We will begin processing at the LPad today at 1:00 pm.  There is a schedule floating around that says 2:30..... not so.  1:00 pm please.

Dave