Author Topic: Is it Time to Predict the Top Five Yet? (Read 6238 times)

Steve Fitton · « **on:** June 16, 2011, 09:58:00 AM »

Time for idle speculation for this year's Nats:

My picks

1 Derek Barry
2 Doug Moon
3 Matt Neuman
4 David Fitzgerald
5 Paul Walker

In reality this Nats may be very hard, it looks like there will be an incredible amount of top level competiton this year. I can think of about 10-12 people that *should* be in the top five list, as well as people (Hunt, Werwage, Buck, etc) that I don't know if they will be there or not. It will be fun to see what happens!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:37:08 AM »

Here's my picks:

1: Paul Walker
2: Dave Fitzgerald
3: Bob Hunt
4: Derek Barry
5: Brett Buck

This year it seems like there's going to be a lot of guys who haven't been there for a few years showing up, like PW, Hunt etc. It'll be interesting to watch!!

Brett Buck · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:53:46 AM »

Too early but (in no particular order) - Paul, David, Orestes, Derek, Doug.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:35:33 PM »

This year is going to be hard! Probably one of the hardest Nats ever.......

I have to say, I like Steve's picks.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2011, 01:40:25 PM »

You are misunderestimating the JCT: You are underestimating our flying, rather than our humility.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2011, 03:29:53 PM »

I've been watching Paul fly.

Paul Walker
Dave Fitzgerald
Bob Hunt
Derek Berry
Howard Rush (OK, this is a pure homer pick)

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:09:02 PM »

1 Dave
2 Paul
3 Orestes
4 Brett
5 Bob
Howard gets to warm up the judges on "Top Five Day".
(Missed it by that much)

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2011, 09:46:08 PM »

Impossible to predict without seeing how everyone is flying during early rounds.

However - trying to predict an overall winner might be a little easier...

If I were a betting man - Id place some hard earned squarely on Paul Walker to win.

Recent form
Overall Nats Experience
New model capability
1st to win with Electric power mantle

Martin Quartim · « **Reply #8 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:28:52 PM »

1- Dave
2- Paul
3- Orestes
4- Derek
5- Brett
6 - Doug
7- Bob Hunt
8- Palko
9- Howard
10- Dan

Martin

Alex Becerril · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2011, 02:30:42 PM »

Hernandez
Walker
Fitzgerald
Newmann
Moon

Howard Rush · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2011, 03:47:41 PM »

An interesting thing about this prediction is that probably none of us has seen the progress of more than two or three of the candidates above since the last Nats.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2011, 04:55:59 PM »

Even watching the contestants practice can be iffy. Things do happen. One year I watched Windy flying and thought he had it sewed up. But, the judges thought otherwise. Go get em Howard.

proparc · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2011, 05:45:38 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on June 17, 2011, 03:47:41 PM

An interesting thing about this prediction is that probably none of us has seen the progress of more than two or three of the candidates above since the last Nats.

If we did, it wouldn't be fun anymore. The more ignorant we are of the recent capabilities, the more it's a hoot!!

Howard Rush · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2011, 06:01:54 PM »

Quote from: proparc on June 17, 2011, 05:45:38 PM

If we did, it wouldn't be fun anymore. The more ignorant we are of the recent capabilities, the more it's a hoot!!

It would still be fun, but this makes it more fun.

Doug Moon · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2011, 08:09:47 AM »

The winds here have been so bad all spring and early summer I have been sent back to night flying. Once your eyes get used to it the back lights make it pretty easy. ONLY IF, the lights are at your back during maneuvers.

This was taken about 8:45 PM CST right after sundown. If you wait for a while after sundown your eyes will get used to it and you can actually get in some good flying. Night time engine runs are a thing of beauty!!!

The engines make so much more power even just 5 minutes after sundown.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2011, 08:27:18 AM »

I think :

Howard has top 5 spot all sew up.

If the JCT can sing their song
A TOP 5 spot is where they belong
some fliers will come
some fliers will fall
Perhaps a 1st and prevail over all ?

Howard Rush · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:47:14 PM »

Quote from: Doug Moon on June 18, 2011, 08:09:47 AM

The winds here have been so bad all spring and early summer I have been sent back to night flying.

Doug flies by Moon light.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2011, 10:43:39 AM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on June 17, 2011, 03:47:41 PM

An interesting thing about this prediction is that probably none of us has seen the progress of more than two or three of the candidates above since the last Nats.

Yep!

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2011, 04:55:39 PM »

Ya, the only people on these lists I've seen fly since last year are Bill Rich and Derek Barry... Derek looks better all the time, and word on the street is Derek's actually been practicing this year and bringing a known quantity plane, so look out!
Bill Rich I fly with regularly, and he too has been practicing hard and looks better than ever, too bad he's got to run the show this year, I think he'd do really well... but I have a feeling you'll see Bill make another run at the team trials.

As to predictions, we might as well let Paul the Octopus over at the aquarium in Germany pull names out of a hat, it's probably about as scientific as anything we come up with and hey, it worked for the world cup!
Lol!

EricV

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2011, 06:41:46 PM »

So sorry I can't be there this year. I really think the "picks" are a waste of time. 2011 is going to be THE year of the stunt war...

Of course, I'm rooting for Bubba!

Ward-O

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #20 on:** June 22, 2011, 12:26:21 PM »

Quote from: Ward Van Duzer on June 19, 2011, 06:41:46 PM

So sorry I can't be there this year. I really think the "picks" are a waste of time. 2011 is going to be THE year of the stunt war...

Of course, I'm rooting for Bubba!

Ward-O

I'm rooting for everybody there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck To All.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Zuriel Armstrong · « **Reply #21 on:** June 22, 2011, 03:16:24 PM »

I haven't seen Kenny Stevens name thrown into the top 5-10 names.

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2011, 08:23:09 PM »

Quote from: Zuriel Armstrong on June 22, 2011, 03:16:24 PM

I haven't seen Kenny Stevens name thrown into the top 5-10 names.

Does he have his new electric plane all sorted out?

Derek Barry · « **Reply #23 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:54:04 AM »

I talked to Orestes the other day, he said he is ready for the extreme competition! It is going to be one hell of a Nats!

Alan Buck · « **Reply #24 on:** June 24, 2011, 04:45:28 PM »

it is to bad I wil not be there it s---s

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #25 on:** June 24, 2011, 05:19:25 PM »

My only prediction is that Bob Hunt will be in the top three. Two electrics will be in the top five.

proparc · « **Reply #26 on:** June 24, 2011, 05:25:28 PM »

Quote from: Ward Van Duzer on June 19, 2011, 06:41:46 PM

I really think the "picks" are a waste of time.
Ward-O

You think this is a waste of time? Head on over to the cycling forums for the Tour De France predictions!!! Remember, it is the absolute worthlessnesss that makes it so much fun.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #27 on:** June 24, 2011, 05:57:14 PM »

Lets just hope the weather doesn't interfere with the flying like it has in the past. Of necessity the pilots need to be ready for anything.

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #28 on:** June 24, 2011, 06:50:03 PM »

I'll vote for the recent retiree with a flying circle in his backyard.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #29 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:24:46 PM »

I'm with you, Pete.

Doug Moon · « **Reply #30 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:28:48 PM »

Quote from: Peter Ferguson on June 24, 2011, 06:50:03 PM

I'll vote for the recent retiree with a flying circle in his backyard.

And just who might this be.......

Doug Moon · « **Reply #31 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:30:03 PM »

It's 8:28 PM and I am thinking of heading out for another night flying session. Winds are down to 16 MPH from the south so the train trestle should be no problem from that direction. By 8:45 the birds should be in bed so it could be a good one.

Got to practice when you can right?

I am in it to win it!!!

Matt Colan · « **Reply #32 on:** June 24, 2011, 08:10:33 PM »

Quote from: Peter Ferguson on June 24, 2011, 06:50:03 PM

I'll vote for the recent retiree with a flying circle in his backyard.

And I'd like to point out that I am not a retiree, so it's not me!

Isn't the person with the circle in his backyard PW?

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #33 on:** June 25, 2011, 12:27:41 AM »

Spare time and your own circle is tough to beat. I have neither.
Doug you should put lights on your plane that would be fun to watch.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #34 on:** June 26, 2011, 02:45:40 PM »

Assuming He's going to be there, any top five list that does not include Billy Werwage is BOGUS!

Randy Cuberly

Howard Rush · « **Reply #35 on:** June 27, 2011, 12:44:26 AM »

He does have a way of coming out of hiding and winning, doesn't he?

Derek Barry · « **Reply #36 on:** June 27, 2011, 04:49:23 AM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on June 27, 2011, 12:44:26 AM

He does have a way of coming out of hiding and winning, doesn't he?

Yes he does.....

As long as my trophy shows up! Sorry, I meant the Walker Cup!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #37 on:** June 27, 2011, 11:04:26 AM »

I've been thinking and it may be that Derek will be the "pick to click" this year. I've watched Paul and he is definitely on top of his game, but so are others. Should be a real dogfight. Wish I could be there to watch.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #38 on:** June 27, 2011, 11:58:58 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on June 27, 2011, 11:04:26 AM

I've been thinking and it may be that Derek will be the "pick to click" this year. I've watched Paul and he is definitely on top of his game, but so are others. Should be a real dogfight. Wish I could be there to watch.

Thanks Randy,

It certainly will be a hard year. At least 10 top 5 pilots trying to get into those to 5 spots.

Derek

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #39 on:** July 09, 2011, 03:28:03 PM »

I got the top three right, since Orestes didn't show
And missed the fifth spot by a fraction.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #40 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:32:23 PM »

Quote from: Larry Fernandez on June 22, 2011, 12:26:21 PM

I'm rooting for everybody there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck To All.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Geez, Larry...And I thought you were a derned genius, being the only one of the above that was 100% correct.

One story I heard is that PW was over-practised (huh? what?). Having judged Paul in contests flying pipes, 4S and electrics...I will say that a good 2-cycle flight can have a magic or "sparkle" that just turns judges on. I didn't see that with 4S. Same with electrics. With them, it looks too bloody easy, so might not get as high a score. That said, a year or two ago, I judged Expert at our September contest. Paul's first flight wasn't wonderful (it seldom is), but the 2nd flight was dynomite (it often is), and I recall that I gave him three 40's on that flight. I don't recall what maneuvers those were, but I could take a guess at what maneuvers they were NOT on.

Steve

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #41 on:** July 13, 2011, 09:35:09 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on July 09, 2011, 06:32:23 PM

Geez, Larry...And I thought you were a derned genius, being the only one of the above that was 100% correct.

Steve

Dont I win an Aero-Tiger .36 or an RSM Thunder Geezer?

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Author Topic: Is it Time to Predict the Top Five Yet? (Read 6238 times)

Eric Viglione