Roger Taylor decided several weeks ago that the club needed a member's only
Electric Fun Fly to bring everyone together. Today was the day and for all of
the guys who flew - they were together and had a great time. We had 13 fliers,
that's about 25% of the club members. A real nice turn-out for the first Club
Fun Fly event. Every one flew Slo-Sticks, either bone stock or hopped-up with
brushless motors, Li-Po, etc. or something in between. We also had a bunch of
spectators today. At one point John Wynn counted 27 cars in the parking lot.
The fliers were - Mac Crockett, Jim Koch, Tod Anderson, Tracy Curtis, Dave High,
Chuck Brinlee, Allen Gottlieb, Ray DiNoble, Greg Clemensen, Ed Jennings, Roger
Taylor, Rick Stone and Pat Brooks.
The events:
An almost aircraft carrier landing, i.e., we placed Coke bottles forming a simulated
carrier deck. The object was to land three times on the carrier. Both Pat and
Chuck made all three landings. Everyone made at least one 'carrier' landing.
The next task was to make as many loops in 30 seconds as possible. We had enough
stop watches and volunteers counting the loops that the second event went smoothly
and quickly. Mac bested everyone with 15 loops in the allotted 30 second time
frame. Mac's Slo-Stick was looping so tightly that it seemed his prop was going
to cut off the tail of his own airplane. Pat and Tracy tied for 2nd with 13
loops each.
The final task was a real eye opener for us. Roger directed an All UP Last Down
(AULD) event. The fliers were divided into two groups. The task was limited
to a 30 second motor run then glide for as long as possible. The last one down
won that heat. The winners from the two groups then flew against each other
to determine the overall winner. No special allowances were made for motors,
batteries - just fly what you 'brung'. Well, let me tell you that the hot brushless
motors pulled the Slo-Sticks vertical for the 30 second motor run. They were
HIGH.
Chuck was the last one down in the first group while Pat enjoyed the same position
in the second group. These two hot brushless planes were certainly out performing
the others (two good pilots also). The final between Pat and Chuck got off to
vertical climbs to almost incredible heights. Believe me, everyone was watching,
whooping, cat-calling and laughing as Pat and Chuck tried to out-glide each
other. In a close finish Chuck was the master glider pilot today.
Overall we had 13 winners! Although Chuck and Pat made one more flight than
the rest of us (for the gold)everyone had a great time. What a HOOT.
We will try to make this a monthly Fun Fly event. Greg Clemensen has already
volunteered to conduct the Fun Fly for next month. Thanks to Gary Lane for running
the flight line and keeping the scores.
A special thanks to Roger Taylor for suggesting, coordinating and getting the
LVSC members to participate in this event.