Forth Annual, South Arkansas Stunt Championships

[Norm Faith Jr.]

Despite a light turn out and questionable weather, the Forth Annual, South Arkansas Stunt Championships, November 3rd and 4th, went on to display some very competitive flying, friendship and fun by all. Old Time had a strong showing and there was a mixture of electric and gas among the Profile and PA aircraft. The "hi-light" of the weekend was Dale Gleason's J-3 Cub, Profile Stunt Ship. "Yes Margret! It had flaps." Although flown by Dale's expert hands, Joe Gilbert was not going to let the Cub beat out his T-6. Gilbert edged out Gleason by 6.5 points. Both the Cub and the T-6 are remarkable flying Profiles. The "Kocher Photography Team" was there and hopefully will post some of the pictures they shot. Thanks to all who participated and helped make it a successful contest.

[Dan Berry]

We had a fine time on Saturday. Hospitality was first-rate. That Cub just shouldn't be able to fly that well.

[Joe Gilbert]

It was a great contest a good time had by all, lots of good folks and good flying. Yes that J-3 is cool and flys very well, but that old T-6 with the four stroke is the little airplane that can. Colleen and I had a ball, O yea the cookies and brownies were AWESOM I don't think any of them left the field. Great job Norm.

[mike donovan]

I had a grear time. Thanks to so many good folks.

[john e. holliday]

Now look at who designed both planes and tell me the shouldn't fly great.  I need to get started on his Corsair and I have the short kit from CLC he also designed.  

Just as I hit post,  it hit me:  Don Hutcheson is the designer.

[dale gleason]

The Cub is being a little stubborn in flight trimming, but it's getting there. It's all about the vertical CG location due to the high wing. Bob Palmer's Highboy had the leadouts coming out the wing, I think. If so, that's not good. Don's J-3 design has the bellcrank half way down the fuselage and so far, the leadouts are even lower, about an inch and a half below the leading edge of the wing. The wing is a stunt wing, the flaps are very effective, the tail volume is about 25%. It IS a stunt design. I've got to slow the handle down quite a bit. I'm having a tough time getting a larger Cub, full fuselage, maybe a four-stroke up front,  image out of my head.....

With a total of seventeen flights on it, it placed 2nd at both the Baton Rouge and El Dorado Profile events. Four flights were "officials", two were training flights for my Grandson, Mason, and the rest were practice/trim flights, of which three ended in inverted landings (engine problems all squared away, now). So, it flies "pretty good", as Don Hutchinson says, and is "pretty tough", and isn't your average "lawn dart".

I wouldn't make a bet on the outcome if Joe and I traded his T-6 for my J-3, he'd pound me with the Cub, too! Don is the winner overall, he designed them both. And he won Advanced with his Dauntless SBD in Baton Rouge. He's got plans available, 15 bucks with shipping....pick up the 'fone, make that call!

Thanks to Norm and all the Arkansawyers for a wonderful contest......great job!        dg

[Louis Keller, Jr.]

Thank you Norm, Jason, Jason, Mike and the fellas of South Arkansas for putting on a good contest. I enjoyed it and learned a little more about the sport. Also reasserted the feeling that there are only wonderful people in this hobby/sport.