Skyraiders Roundup Pictures

[James C. Johnson]

I posted some pictures of the OT Planes on Randy's Post...

All in all it was a good meet.. though there was some grumbling about the format... each group flew both rounds starting with beginner.. so when it got to expert.. it was about 12:30 and the wind picked up a tad.. I saw Howard fly in some "rolling wind".. funny.. it would get to 10-15.. and by the end of a flight the wind would die down almost completely.. Paul flew in a little wind... Dirty Dan flew first. I was tabulating sources... everyone should do this sometimes.. There was a 60 point spread between judges on his first fight .. and after that the judges were pretty close.. I got to watch all the judges and their scoring.. what is cool is how each judge can score different points for each maneuver and then end up with the same score, that happened 3 times.. many times they were only 2-3 points part.. sometimes I would judge some maneuvers and see how close I could come to the better judges.. mostly take off and landings because I wasn't in the right place to see placements.. anyway here are the pics I took.

We had one new comer.. Jack Mullenix from Lynnwood.. with a nice Goldberg Cosmic Wind.. he had the usual beginners shakes.. but didn't crash..

I didn't get picture of the electric Midwest Panther flown by John Witt.. it was flying well but didn't have the battery to complete the pattern.. very nice.. Pete Peterson had a very nice classic ship.. I didn't get a pic of it..

I don't know all the builders.. bear with me and I will do my best..  Also a big thanks to Don McClave for coming up from Portland and judging Expert..



Dirty Dan.. I hadn't seen him in 2 1/2 years... he gave me a hug.. I missed him. When I was first starting out I was usually the first at the field on Contest day.. Dan was right behind me.. He is my favorite Stunt Guy.. controversial sometimes.. but you can't ignore the fact that he is one guy that contributes a lot.. Plus he can a plastic finish on a plane like no one else..






Bob Parker and his wife Peggy showed up.. I love Bob and Peggy.. they are the greatest.


Howard Rush checking his "Stunt Pulse"...


Howard's well traveled Plane...


Some one help on this one..It is nice.. I think it is Alan Resinger's plane.


Mike Haverly working on his Barnstomer on Sat..


Mike's Shrike




Keith Varley's Plane... He is a fine competitor.. I have never heard a unkind comment from him.. and his optimism is unparalleled.. he hails from Vancouver BC.  


Paul Walker and Dave Gardner Judging. while Jack Mullinex (in shorts) looks on.. this was his first contest

Jack Mullinex's Cosmic Wind. Jack flew for the first time with newcomer nerves.. he calmed down a bit for his second flight.. and didn't crash.. better than I did at my first contest..


John Thompson's Vector.


Bruce Hunt's Lark.. it flew wonderful.. or should I say.. Bruce was excellent with this plane.. flew in Classic and Expert .. He took 3rd in Expert .. with two very consistent flights..


The flight line for OT..


This Chipmonk was flown by Dane Convey (sp?).. he was flying very well and I would say he will be flying in Advanced in his next contest along with Steve Helmick and Jeff Rein.. all flew well.


And last but not least.. Paul Walker's All American Eagle... I was impressed to say the least.. Plus Paul showed us what a "real pattern" is supposed to look like.. this plane flies on rails.. and tracks amazingly well in the wind.. all of us here in the Northwest are blessed to have his talent and competitive spirit.. as they, “A rising tide raises all ships”..  we are all better competitors because of him.





Jim

[Leester]

Great pictures and your right about the Dirt, the finish on his profile is OUTSTANDING.

[Matt Colan]

Howard's plane looks like he has little trim tabs on the wings, like the trim tabs they got on full sized airplanes.  is that what they are?

[Steve Helmick]

Matt...No, those are "Servo Tabs". They are supposed to help reduce control loads...improving the control in low line tension situations, or reducing the force on the handle, depending on how you want to describe it.  Howard seems convinced that they do work.

Some 1:1 scale airplanes use "servo tabs" like this to actually power the elevators...the pilot controls the tabs, and the tabs actually do the pushing on the elevator. Pretty clever concept.    Steve

[Matt Colan]

Thanks Steve.  Howard how did you hook it up?

[John Witt]

Nice shots of a fun contest. Thanks to the guys who worked so hard to put it on, especially CD Bill Durkow, a very gracious guy.

Full results on Flying Lines :  http://flyinglines.org/Stevenson.09.html

I only flew beginner, but had more than enough battery for that. New batteries soon, shipped from Hong Kong yesterday (9/16). I need about 1 more minute of flight time.

We are indeed fortunate to have a core group of amazing, talented PA flyers. As knowledgable and helpful as one could ask. They have certainly been a great help to me, especially Rick Cochrun, Howard, Dan and Paul.  Rick twisted my arm to start flying contests in the first place and has been terrific in calling for me.

John

[Randy Powell]

The top picture is Pete Ferguson's (pferg) Vector.

And it's Dane Covey. Very nice guy.

Rhomboy's flaps are apparently still in need of adjustment (according to him). 

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks Steve.  Howard how did you hook it up?

Matt...I went looking for pictures...and didn't find any in my archives. I'm sure there are some, on either SSW or Stunthanger. Basically, there's a control horn on the wing ahead of the flap hingeline, and another on the servo tab, connected with a short pushrod. All on the bottom, of course. When the flap moves, it deflects the tab, which tends to add "boost". It looks cool, and it's innovative.  Gotta like that! If it isn't clear to you how it would work, you could rig up a simple demonstration model, or tape some stuff onto an old stunter...  Steve

[Jack Mulinix]

Just wanted to thank everyone for a great weekend of flying. And a special thanks to Jim and Bill for the encouragement to fly for the first time and helping launch. It really was kinda scary, but glad I did it. Again, thanks to all, Jack

[Steve Helmick]

Jack...It's always good to have newbies come out and fly. Welcome, and hope to see you at the Fun Fly at Auburn Airport on the 26th. C'mon down! The 411 is on the website. If you need any help finding the place, it's just N. of 15th NW and a block West of Auburn Way North. Or a bit East of Emerald Downs.  Steve

http://www.nwskyraiders.com/events.html

[Peter Ferguson]

Jack,  c'mon out to the Auburn Airport fun fly on the 26th and the Skyraiders will buy you lunch. It will be the inauguration of a new flying site.

[Randy Powell]

I'm going to try to be there. May even have a plane.

[Jack Mulinix]

Thanks for the invite, I cleared the calander and will be there. looking forward to it.

[Mike Ferguson]

The top picture is Pete Ferguson's (pferg) Vector.

And it still shows the scars on the rudder from its recent rude encounter with the ground!

I think if my uncle continues to insist on making bottoms that low, someone needs to talk him into building a Genesis or a Stunt Machine ...