Author Topic: My first contest.... (Read 4295 times)

scott bolton · « **on:** October 16, 2009, 04:18:30 PM »

HI everyone, It's been a great summer for us here in Pennsyltucky as far as flying is concerned. I have been back to flying CL for a little over a year now and have had a real blast. Learned to fly the pattern back in july and have been practicing with some great coaches this summer. We are going to our first contest in Huntersville NC. next weekend. Can't hardly wait to get there. If anyone would like to share their first contest experiences or anything I need to keep in mind other than standard game plan please chime in. Also a BIG THANKS to the crew behind this site and all the CL family that help with all us newbies. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!! Scott Bolton.

ray copeland · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:45:08 PM »

Scott, my first big experience was last year at Huntersville in beginners, forgot the wingover!! I will be there next Friday and all weekend, hope to try my first attempt at OTS,, please look me up!! You have done real good to learn the "real" pattern in a year. I will try to remember to wear my name badge, I beleive they are great for our contests to meet people, also if you want to give combat a try on Sat. let me know we will find you a plane to fly, also i should have a couple of good flyin 1/2a's with me. Ray

Gene Martine · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:15:26 PM »

Scott.
When yours flying in a contest forget everything that's going around you. The only people that really watching you is the judges. Fly your pattern (program) & enjoy.
Gene

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:24:01 PM »

Good advice from the other guys, but one more thing. Fly no matter what. I placed third in sportsman profile at the Oregon Blue Sky event because it was extremely windy and nasty and most of the real flyers stayed grounded. Third was also last, but I placed just because I had nerve enough to fly my beat up, much crashed and repaired Twister. I didn't have a nice airplane to lose, so I just went for it. Best of luck to you.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2009, 06:47:10 PM »

I tell the people that I try to coach to just fly and have fun. Do the best you can and forget those people standing on the edge of the circle with a clip board that think they know what the pattern looks like.

Really we can't thank the people enough that take the time to tabulate, run score sheets, pull tests, judge and all the other thing that make a contest run good. Have fun, DOC Holliday

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2009, 08:23:34 AM »

I think this is a common reaction, but after a contest, I always come back charged up and
excited about the next build. (Someday I'll get to one again!)

It's always a learning experience, enjoy it.

L.

"What we obtain too cheap we esteem too little; it is dearness only that gives
everything its value." -Thomas Paine

Larry Fulwider · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2009, 09:17:48 AM »

Quote from: ray copeland on October 16, 2009, 06:45:08 PM

. . . please look me up!! . . . I will try to remember to wear my name badge, I beleive they are great for our contests to meet people . . .

Good reminder for all contestants. One of the great things about Brodak this year was that people wore the provided name tags all week! Try to do the same at Huntersville. (I think we provide blank tags to write your name? Maybe pre-register are printed?)

Some people don't like to "show off" their name tag, thinking it is an "ego thing". Think about it, that is backwards. The only reason not to wear a name tag is that you think you are so famous you don't need one!

Name tags are actually a courtesy to the newbies like Scott (and old people with failing memories) who are stuggling to deal with all the contest "stuff" and remember names and faces at the same time. Do everyone a favor and wear your name tag!

Larry Fulwider

jim welch · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:48:38 PM »

Hey Larry F.... be sure to wear your name tag so I don't get ya mixed up with a young person..HE HE HE...see ya the weekend....Jimmy

"Big Art" · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2009, 01:00:44 PM »

Hello Larry Going to your first contest is a never forgotten thrill. I hope you get a big case of butterflies in your stomach before your first flight. It will go away as soon as the plane leaves the ground. If ever this feeling leaves you go do something else.

Have fun the people there are among the best.

:Big Art" Adamisin

Dick Byron · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2009, 02:39:25 PM »

Art,
You have said it most eloquently. When the butterflies leave, quit. I still have the butterflies every contest, tho they are few and far between. Contests, not butterflies.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2009, 05:19:08 PM »

Quote from: "Big Art" on October 18, 2009, 01:00:44 PM

Hello Larry Going to your first contest is a never forgotten thrill. I hope you get a big case of butterflies in your stomach before your first flight. It will go away as soon as the plane leaves the ground. If ever this feeling leaves you go do something else.

Have fun the people there are among the best.

:Big Art" Adamisin

I get butterflies every contest when it gets closer and closer to my turn in the order, then once that motor is running and I'm in the air, I start concentrating A LOT on the flight, and I think I fly better at contests than I do at home, probably because I'm being judged, and that adrenaline is flowing.

Marvin Denny · « **Reply #11 on:** October 18, 2009, 08:12:21 PM »

Big Art and Dick!!! Are you trying to say to me that I should "hang it up"

I haven't had any butterflies in over ten years. I still enjoy model BUILDING and FLYING, including competition. Why should I hang it up now that all my pet butterflies have died of old age?
  Sorry I disagree, but I say keep on modeling as long as you are having fun and enjoying it.
  An old crudgmugen.(sp).

  Bigiron
added by edit The correct spelling i Curmudgeon

Dick Byron · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2009, 06:22:45 AM »

Marve,
No I love to visit with you. Never give up. Maybe is just gas. LOL

Derek Barry · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2009, 01:02:22 PM »

Dad and I go to this contest every year. The best thing I can recommend is if you have questions or problems of any kind don't be afraid to ask someone. There are always people willing to help.

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #14 on:** October 19, 2009, 01:41:27 PM »

"""There are always people willing to help. """

That is just sooo true. I went to my first competition about 5 years ago and was lost. I met Alan Buck there who kept me headed in the right direction for the day and became a very valued friend. On the first flight I lost track of my Tomahawk in the overhead and hit the ground.. As quick as I was off the field I had no end of volunteers to help get the plane ready for the second flight. Great experience and I go whenever I can now.

Dalton H.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #15 on:** October 19, 2009, 02:17:37 PM »

always thank that judges once you are finished your flight - it may not seem like much - but they DO appreciate it

Larry Fulwider · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:38:24 AM »

Quote from: Dalton Hammett on October 19, 2009, 01:41:27 PM

"""There are always people willing to help. """

That is just sooo true. I went to my first competition about 5 years ago and was lost. I met Alan Buck there who kept me headed in the right direction for the day and became a very valued friend. . . .
Dalton H.

Amen! Alan does a lot of that!

Larry Fulwider

Alan Buck · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2009, 11:56:01 AM »

Scott you will enjoy Huntersville. I always do great people to fly with even Larry. getting ready to leave now hope to meet you at the contest. Alan Buck

Will Davis · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2009, 06:24:28 PM »

Scott,

Glad you are making the contest, Your first Stunt contest is one you will always remember.

We have a great time at the Huntersville contest, You will enjoy the great flying site and especially the Southern hospitality.

See you Friday morning

Will Davis

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2009, 06:37:55 PM »

That was a really good point about helpful people. These guys don't have secrets - they will give useful advice and lots of help to anyone who asks. I was really spooked about attending my first contest - almost chickened out because it was a big one and I didn't want to be the number one dummy. Well, I was the dummy, but EVERYONE was extremely helpful and friendly. There may be some buttheads in this hobby, but I haven't met one yet. The world champion, Dave Fitzgerald, even launched for me in beginner. I didn't know who he was and I'm quite sure he didn't know me, either, but that's the way it works. Just lots of people having a great time. Just fess up that it is your first contest and people will line up to help you. Hey, this is a first - the spell check didn't ding me.

Brian Massey · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:24:59 AM »

This past Sunday I flew in my first contest in about 40 years. I've been flying again since last March or so, and am just barely getting through the pattern. Oh well, it's time for the Golden State Chamionships!

In my first practice flight the old McCoy RH .40 quit as soon as I went inverted and I broke the needle

. I really thought my day was dead, but I had thrown my brand new just broken in Brodak .40 in the box. While I was at the pilots meeting my brother reamed the mounting hole out slightly to accept the Brodak, and it worked. Back to the practice circle for the another flight. I was about to the verticle 8 when I ran out of fuel! Seems that the Brodak needs more fuel than the 4 oz the McCoy did.

A friend let me take his 6 oz tank off of an extra plane and we got it tie wrapped just in time for my first official flight. Up in the air we went, but the needle was way too rich, so I waved the flight off. On my second attempt at a first flight the needle was too lean, but I did manage to get through the pattern at a record clip. Too bad I left out the round and square loops . . . and I went overtime. Man is it embarrassing to have a judge ask "what comes next?"

During the lunch break I got in 4 more practice flights and got the needle set. I was up last on the second round so I got to see everyone put in better flights than I had done. When my time came we launched and put in an "ok" pattern. When the score was posted I got a 408 . . . I didn't come in dead last after all.

I can't believe how nervous I was, but I lived throught it and am happy to have my feet wet again. I also got the chance to watch Dave Fitzgerald put in his flight in the Expert circle next door; man can he fly!

I want to thank Jim Aron and his entire staff for doing all the hard work to make this event happen!

Brian Massey

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2009, 08:53:12 AM »

Brian, wait until you reach my age and have flown as many contests as I have. In Iowa one year I started my first round flight in old time. After the level laps which felt great I went into my wingover, oops, supposed to be climb and then dive. Which I did. Then I did my loops and eights, another goof up, left out inverted laps. I finally finished what I hoped was all the maneuvers and looked at the judges. Two of the best Mike Pratt and Mike Gretz. They were laughing so hard and proceded to tell me all I had left was the landing if I didn't forget it. Made up for it in second round and got the best score I have ever had in old tiime.

Anyway glad to hear you had fun and also found out the guys/gals in modeling are the best. Keep having fun, DOC Holliday

Brian Massey · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2009, 10:33:48 AM »

Hey Doc; just so you'll know, my wife just bought me a new ball cap, it says "Older Than Dirt". I'm not too sure you have (m)any years on me.

Brian

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2009, 12:27:34 PM »

My first contest was in 1956 at the Stanley Air Park. It was a grass field with a couple of sheds for planes. I will be 68 before the year is out. Have fun, DOC Holliday

Marvin Denny · « **Reply #24 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:29:40 PM »

Doc, you are just a "young pup"---- look at me and the Silver Foxx Woolard.

Bigiron

Brian Massey · « **Reply #25 on:** October 23, 2009, 10:54:23 PM »

Well Doc; I guess you did get out of diapers before me; I'll be 67 this Dec.

Brian

Gary Anderson · « **Reply #26 on:** October 24, 2009, 12:43:03 AM »

Quote from: Brian Massey on October 23, 2009, 10:54:23 PM

Well Doc; I guess you did get out of diapers before me; I'll be 67 this Dec.

Brian

Hi Brian,

Maybe he's back in them?

? Sorry about Tuesday, was still playing with insurance company. I believe all is settled and I lose again!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking forward to Sunday, hope we have a crowd. An old flier is bring some of his old toy out and maybe some will be worth having fun with. Did Michael stick around for this coming Sunday? I'll be 66 in Jan., so you're the old guy, Gary

john e. holliday · « **Reply #27 on:** October 24, 2009, 12:21:31 PM »

Quote from: Marvin Denny on October 23, 2009, 01:29:40 PM

Doc, you are just a "young pup"---- look at me and the Silver Foxx Woolard.

Bigiron

You forgot Bud Burroughs. DOC Holliday

Will Davis · « **Reply #28 on:** October 26, 2009, 12:05:33 PM »

Picture of Scott at the contest .. Great time had by all..

Will

Bill Little · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2009, 07:24:03 PM »

Hi Scott,

It was great to meet you at Huntersville (and your Dad!) My first contest was at Huntersville. I went up there when it was still grass every where! Now it is a great site (especially if we could cut some trees! LOL!!).

I no longer get to fly a lot, but that will change. I still love to fly and go to contests about as much as anything. The nerves, well I guess we all deal with that part differently. I can say that flying at the NATS for the first time was more un-nerving than playing ball in front of 100,000 people, though!

And it still is to a degree, just things get easier as you get more familiar with the things you have to do. But a case of *nerves* to some people is simply a case of preparedness to others. If there isn't a heightened awareness, I guess it doesn't mean anything!

But never let it stop being FUN. I still have as much fun now as I did when I was a little kid flying at the ball park with my friends. Come to think of it, I am still out "flying with my friends"!

Mongo