I was shocked and honoured to be awarded the Rookie of the Year for the 2011 US Nats.
It was my 1st time making it into the Top 20 and my 2nd trip to USA to compete. I met so many great people, and made stronger bonds with old friends.
To be honest as some of you may have followed, my Nats prep didnt go to plan, no model, no connecting flights... havoc at every turn.
Well it didnt start off great even before I left for USA.
4 days out from leaving I had a bellcrank failure.
I spent 3 days fixing, repainting the tiger and managed just one flight before I left.
Once the model did arrive in America I started to develop a trim issue that wouldnt go away... So it turned out the inboard wingtip had twisted upward by almost 1/4" rendering all attempts to trim it out impossible. I would guess that there was an irregularity with dope and with the airline flight over / change in atmospheric pressures, cabin ect.. combined with the heat and humidity of muncie, compounded my problem.
My Tiger was never flown in the contest - despite spending 4 days and several hours trying to get the trim issue solved, we tried to get the warp out. Sparky offered to get it out which he was confident of doing, but I left his number in my pocket and when I got back to the hotel, went for a swim !! So I couldnt get a hold of him, and gave up on the idea of flying it.
I also gave up on the idea of really competiting hard for a TOP 20 birth.
Alan Brickhouse summed it up the best when he presented the trophy.
"..... he tried to smuggle a Tiger into the country and got into trouble - but he was saved by a Bear. "
The only model I had to compete with was my 1968 Gieseke Nobler - which featured here several months ago. Bob Gieseke himself was also one of the judges for one of the flights and was pleased, and proud to see it fly. I personally felt incredible to be able to fly infront of such a legend and someone I have admired for so many years. I had several close conversations with him, and can comfortably call him a close friend.
Interesting as part of my conversations with him - he told me - Not since 1979 has a Gieseke Nobler been in the Top 20 in Open, that was done obviously by Bob himself - He then proceeded to add to that with "
But you know it also Won it that year...!! " What was my Highlight ?
Flying a classic model and competing against modern equipment and making Top 20 ?
Rookie of the Year ?
2nd in Classic ?
Watching my friends do so well ?
Having my father fly 4 solid flights in advanced ?
Funny enough, all of those are great, but my highlight was having Bob Gieseke tell me he wants to build/replicated EXACTLY what I have flown. identical setup, engine ,plane Box and Dice.
It was a honour to come over and fly with Yall. I look forward to coming back in 2 years time, Thankyou everyone who helped me out with bits and Bobs.
I just hope they dont change their respective Nats minds on Internationals competiting.. we had WAY TOO MUCH FUN for a Nats. !
Topic: Rookie of the Year 2011 Nats (Read 2895 times)