The event was put on a 3-hour forecast weather hold by Alan Goff at 11:30 AM. The forecast proved to be false and harsh westher never happened. I came back at 2:00 PM and I was NOT alone. At least half of the contestants returned and were set up to fly by 2:30.
Among the contestants who didn't return were the event directors who were also contestants themselves - and in position win if flying ended.
Having an Event Director walk away from the Nats is unheard of and obviously unacceptable. By the way, he still hasn't turned in the results to AMA. The so-called "National Champions" are like a team that was leading a football game in the first quarter and somehow got it ended.
Thany you, Eric.
Will Hinton - read the Contest Director section of the AMA Rules. The weather delay rules were violated. Those who built models, travelled to Muncie, and paid entry fees were entitiled to have contest management make every effort to complete the contest during the time alloted. They did not even try.
[/quote]
Paul,
As a judge for the event,liscensed pilot,and someone that resides in a TENT on AMA grounds(I love tent camping......shoot me) during the nats I have a unique and VERY different perspective to your little rant.
First let's be clear about the weather.....It stormed quite heavily Sat. afternoon as I sat in my tent with winds no full scale pilot would ever think of flying in.I saw a few vehicles at the scale site that afternoon.A very few.......It is the contestants responsability to be ready if the weather permits.If the weather permits is an important statement here.Crosswind,downwind,upwind ALL apply to C/L model aircraft.The R/C guys have the availability/option to land into the wind with as little crosswind as possible....just like full size aircraft.I have many hrs. of aerobatic time and a taildragger endorsement.Try landing a Cessna 185 with a 20 MPH gusting crosswind sometime.....or better yet a J3.Be prepared to clean out your britches!!!!SAFETY should always be the top concern of the pilots and models.These are SCALE models and SCALE windspeeds/directions SHOULD be considered in the CD's decision to fly/not fly.With that being said........Sunday was windier.
Now for the rest.........PLEASE STEP UP and volunteer to be CD next year.You have all this time to RANT you should be able to put the event together with NO problems at all.let it be your only priority.Get volunteers for judges,tabulators,score runners.Get sponsors,buy plaques,ect.........Bring your rule book and crack the whip.Be sure to have the new C/L scale "POOR SPORT" award made.Unfortunately if you are CD no one will be available to accept it!!Did ya bother to thank anyone for their volunteering?Mr.Brodak?Mr.Sheeks?Ya certainly did'nt thank the judges.Everyone I scored(including you)got what they deserved.If theyThe attackeees) were in position to win they flew better/scored higher than you,nothing more/nothing less.1,3,or even 20 flights may or may not have changed your placing.Maybe you should grow Orchids for competition...........but wait............the weather matters there too.
Jeff Traxler
2014 AMA C/L scale flight judge.