Ice-O-Lated Contest Weather Update

[bill marvel]

I have tried to keep everyone informed about the weather forecasts.  The CD, Bob Arata, always reminds us that a contest cannot be canceled based on a forecast.  The Contest Crew (Pull Testers, judges and tabulators) will be at Buder Park ready to pull test, judge and tabulate on Sunday morning at 8:30 AM.  You always need to make your own decision.

The outlook is better than many years.  The field is dry with no snow or flooding.  The skies will likely be clear or nearly so all day so bring sunglasses and sun screen (Yes! In February... in St. Louis, Missouri... ).  The winds do not appear to be bad and are not predicted to be especially gusty.  The temperatures will likely be in the 30's so dress warmly and in layers.

The local weather link is

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KSTL&model=avn&state=MO 

Please check for yourself.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Regards,
bill marvel

[Crist Rigotti]

Bill,
Thanks for the update.  I'll be coming in tonight, but flying will be out for Saturday due to forecasted winds.  See you Sunday.

[Michael Floerchinger]

It has been ten years since I have been to an Ice O Lated meet! This will be one of the rare weekends I will be in town so I have to stop by and watch!

Mike

[bill marvel]

Crist:

Look forward to seeing you again.

Mike:

Be sure to say hello!  I'll be the one in the bunny suit!!!!  (Actually, I'll be wearing my red Stunt Hangar jacket!!!)


bill

[Dennis Vander Kuur]

Bill,

Mike and I have been watching the Chicago area weather forecast closely:

LAKE IL-DUPAGE-COOK-WILL-LAKE IN-PORTER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WAUKEGAN...CHICAGO...JOLIET...GARY...
FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING
TO 6 PM CST SATURDAY...

STORM TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY LATE
SATURDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FALLING ACROSS
NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA LATE THIS EVENING AND
CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE SNOW MAY BECOME HEAVY AT
TIMES...WITH SNOWFALL RATES AS HIGH AS 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR
POSSIBLE.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW IS ISSUED WHEN 6 OR MORE
INCHES OF SNOW IS FORECAST TO OCCUR. THE HEAVY SNOW WILL MAKE
TRAVEL DANGEROUS.

DennisV

[the original Steve Smith]

Dennis,

Didn't you guys get stuck in Chicago last year because of a snowstorm?  Bummer! 

Crist,

Winds look really bad for Saturday - probably part of the same storm that will be dumping snow on Dennis and Mike.

Mike F,

It will be good to see you!  Introduce yourself so we know who you are!  Should be a good time!

[Larry Lindburg]

Tony Kares and I will be there, if we don't get stuck in a snowdrift on the way down. 

[Crist Rigotti]

Tony Kares and I will be there, if we don't get stuck in a snowdrift on the way down. 

We can only hope! 

[john e. holliday]

If nothing happens between now and then,  Emmy, James and I should be there.  Willow decided to stay home.  Had snow here about midnight Friday.  Sunny skies all day Saturday with mild breezes.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

[Dan McEntee]

   MAN!!!!!!!!It was a cold one today. It was 19 degrees when I left for the field, winds were 10 to 20 MPH, but we had a pretty good turn out for the contest. Everybody struggled at least a little bit with one problem or another, and I think there was only two complete flights in advanced and expert in the first round. But everyone persevered, and it warmed up just a little and things were a bit better in the second round. I didn't take down any results because I didn't want to take off my gloves! I'm sure they will be put up soon by one of the other guys.
    I was the last one to leave the circles, and I found a small box with two light weight orange blocks with brass handles in it. It was sitting on the modle work stand. I have them if they are yours or you know who they belong to. I have no idea what they are for, but somebody put some work into them and might want them back.
    Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[Larry Lindburg]

Dan,  Many thanks to you, Steve, Bob, and Bill and all the others for judging and putting on a great contest.  Conditions were tough but I think we all had a great time.  It surely beats sitting at home looking at the snow.

[Bob Reeves]

I feel for you guys, I couldn't do it, has to be at least 65-70 depending on the wind before I can tolerate it..

Looking forward to seeing the results..

[bill marvel]

   MAN!!!!!!!!It was a cold one today. It was 19 degrees when I left for the field, winds were 10 to 20 MPH, but we had a pretty good turn out for the contest. Everybody struggled at least a little bit with one problem or another, ***SNIP***

It was delightfully successful considering the temperatures.  There were about 2 dozen attending.  If you were dressed for it, it was not bad at all.  The wind wasn't terrible so wind chill was not a big issue.  We had periods of calm and it was rarely too gusty.  But, there were several good fliers ambushed and blown out of the top of an overhead or vertical eight.  Boy, were they surprised!  It did not get out of the 30's but it was dry, the sky was blue and the sun was bright enough to give me a little burn.

Engines were generally cooperative but we used more lighter fluid than a tobacco convention.  Lots of the fliers have not had much flying weather all winter.  The early patterns were a bit rusty but they improved as the day progressed.  I got to judge Basic Flight, Beginner and Intermediate.  Two of Doc Holiday's grandkids (Emmy and James) braved the cold and got Officials in.  Judges got help from Steve Smith's daughter, Becky.  She was super.

With the winds and cold on Saturday, no one expected the Ice-O-Lated to happen but it did.  We were slow to get started but then flew until after 2:00 PM.  Gary Hajek took charge of getting the airplanes weighed very efficiently.  The new Pull Test rules and procedure went off without a hitch.

The Ice-O-Lated is just about the first contest of the season in the Midwest.  Everyone seems to enjoy it.  As Larry Lindberg said, "It surely beats sitting at home and looking at the snow."

regards,
bill marvel