NW Fireballs Spring Tune Up

[Oregon_Flyer]

Hi All
Attended the Annual Spring Tune Up hosted by the Fireballs and it was a blast.  Although the spring breezes [almost gale force] blowing at Portland Oregon's Delta Park presented a challenge to even the most advanced fliers, it was a great event.  The CD was Leo Mehl and the ED was of course Scott Riese.  I am hoping that all who attended and read this thread will post here.  I have some pictures and would like to be able to correctly identify the pilot to each plane.  Sign in again guys and I will try to upload the photos shortly.

Marv

[Greg Hart]

Hi Marv,
All I can say was I was there. The windy conditions chickened me out.  It was fun watching everyone else.

[Oregon_Flyer]

Hi Greg,

Chicken??  Not!   In the real world where the plane is bigger than the plane, there is a saying amongst us; There are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots.  I personally thought you made a good call, after all Bruce was extremely fortunate in my book.  Having said that, Great save Bruce 

Marv

[johnt4051]

In regard to Bruce's great save, I will add that he certainly got the attention of the judges.  (We thought we were going to have the shark in our laps).

--jt

[Oregon_Flyer]

Hi John,

I had the camera on him and thought I had the shot of the day only to review it and the dadburned shark was missing    My problem was trying to see it all and so much was going on all at once.  Glad I wasn't the only one to see that "miracle" by Bruce  He shoulda got a trophy for best recovery of the century.

Marv

[Ironbomb]

Describe the save, we can get a good mental image if you do a good job explaining it. Paint a picture with words, c'mon Marv, do it!!!

 

Greg

[johnt4051]

Bruce Hunt was flying his big Shark (ST .60) in classic.  Blustery conditions.  The plane blew out of the hourglass.  Just kept on going up and over, diving right at the judges.  He just pulled it out in front of us.  We were close to the circle and he's on 70-foot lines, so a photo of the judges after the maneuver would have looked like one of those cartoons, with the hair standing straight up!
--jt
 

[Oregon_Flyer]

Hi John,

Right on, only you forgot to mention the near cardiac arrest part  .  For a moment it looked like the Big Guy upstairs had the lines and the hourglass was inverted, Wheeeyeeewww.  My guess is it kited for at least fifteen feet and 'ol Bruce was as cool as a cucumber just standing still and aiming his fist straight at his shark.  When asked by me about it he just grinned and agreed "yep, thought is was gone" 

Marv

[SQ8s]

I was looking away at that time. All of sudden a GASP from everyone....
What a "GREAT CONTEST"