To All Who Missed the Ice-O-Lated Contest.
We had about 30 people show up to enter or watch or work the contest despite 36 degrees, Wind Chill in the low teens, 20-35 mph winds, saturated grounds, a little sleet and a little frozen rain. We managed to get in 4 Beginner flights and two Advanced Flights. I heard the racing engines warming up but they didn't get an official in. The Experts declined to risk airplanes and limbs. Maybe that is one of the qualifications of being an Expert; they are smarter than the rest of us!!!! (Big Grin!) I managed to get in my February flight just before the Officials began. I had my .20 FP powered FliteStreak, "ARF No Mo" cranked up and cooking but it was all over the sky. I have nothing but admiration for everyone who few in competition and respect for anyone who declined!!!
Charles Fowler from near Effingham, Illinois took First Place in Beginner and was the only flyer all day to earn Pattern Points. Everyone applauded and cheered when he managed to get through two overhead eights in seriously gusty wind. Terry Bolin from Neosho, Missouri, took Second Place. I think it was Terry's first contest. Emmy, Doc Holliday's grand-daughter, took third place. Emmy showed a lot of poise, flying in very gusty winds. She had a brief period of calm but stuck to her flight plan. She did a nice wingover in gusty air and got applause for it from the spectators. Emmy's younger sister, Willow, struggled gamely to control her little Clown in worsening wind but finally lost it. She won an Honorable Mention trophy from the Contest Director, Bob Arata for her efforts.
Steve Smith moved up to Advanced this season and won First Place, beating out Doc Holliday. Steve was able fly two more maneuvers than Doc!!! Except for Charles Fowler, nobody wanted to fly up at the top of the circle. Steve Smith was almost blown completely out of his first triangle. He kept his cool and did the second triangle rather decently!!! Success seemed to depend on timing the gusts!
One of the highlights of the Ice-O-Lated Contest was the appearance of four guys and two of their wives from Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Terry Bolin, Keith Spriggs, and Jack Dock have put together an email circle of former control line flyers who are interested in getting back into it. They have a contact list of more than 20 now and have had a few Fun-Flys. It looks like the beginning of a club.
Despite the wet grounds, wind and cold, everybody had a great time. John Moll and his wife, Lois brought an RV where we could get out of the cold for a few minutes, drink hot coffee and sample Lois' cake or cookies. Frank Beatty and Ron Carr did a good job tabulating under adverse conditions. Ballpoint pens and fingers don't work well in the cold.
I regret that I don't have the official scores but I am sure they will be posted on Stunt Hanger today or tomorrow. It may not have been pretty but it was fun!!!
regards,
bill marvel
(Edited to correct Terry's home town. Duh!)
Topic: Ice-O-Lated a brief history in words and pictures (Read 1653 times)