Howard Shenton · Nov 19, 2000 10:32 PM
#0 sourceThe weather was great, sunny with a slight overcast part of each day, with the exception of some gusting and shifting winds, which caused some problems. The paved circles had been resurfaced and smoothed out by the efforts of Ben Lopp, his brother in-law and a number of club members. The grass areas had been cut, by the Mecklenberg County Parks Dept, and were in great shape.
This is a great site that was built by Mecklenberg County Recreation Department for use by Control Line and RC Flyers. Normal operations have the control Line and RC activities separated by a fence so that there is no conflict.
There are two paved circles and one grass circle available during regular days. During contest days-another paved circle at the end of the RC runway along with the entire RC paved flight line and grassy areas become available for contest events and testing. We meet at this site on the 4th Saturday of each month. If you are in the area come fly with us.
I was the event director for Super Slow Combat (SSC) and as such did not see much of the stunt events. Two of the combat flyers, Clayton Smith (NC) and Andy Patterson (NC), also flew in the Saturday and Sunday Stunt events.
Forty-eight flyers flew in 87 events. Forty-five stunt and five combat pilots entered. Two of the stunt pilots flew combat. The Triangle Skymasters Web Site will post the results of the stunt events in the near future. They currently have the results of the Spring 2000 event Posted.
One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting John Brodak and his wife. They were on there way to Myrtle Beach, SC and stopped in to watch and talk with the participants. They have done so much for our hobby so it was god to meet them and express my appreciation for what they have and are doing.
Friday: The Friday practice session had about 15 to 20 Stunt flyers perfecting their settings and getting accustomed to the site.
STUNT
Saturday: Pat Robertson, a stunt judge, said that there were 13-14 entries in Old Time Stunt, 12-13 entries in Classic Stunt and from what I saw about an equal number of Profile entries. Basic stunt had 3-4 entries. These numbers of entries were the largest we have seen.
Sunday: All 4 PAMPA classes were flown with 12-13 flyers in Expert, 10-11 Flyers in Advanced. Did not get the numbers for Intermediate or Beginner but they needed all three circles. I did see Dave Hemstrought’s P-51 Mustang fly. It is truly a beautiful aircraft.
COMBAT
We had 5 entries in Super Slow Combat (SSC). All combat matches were flow on Saturday in a very relaxed atmosphere as we worked around our flyers that were entered in the stunt events.
Combat has been dormant in this area for a long time. Larry Davis moved into the area in 1998 and was instrumental in starting to bring it back. He directed two events and then moved to Tucson Arizona for a job opportunity.
I scheduled an event for the Fall 2000 Huntersville contest but only had 3 entries, including myself, with no pit crew or judging help I decided that we could not fly the event safely. Bub Price and his wife Shirley had driven down from Maryland and I felt bad for them. They are truly very nice people and an asset to our sport.
Did not schedule any combat for the Spring 2000 contest but told several people I would be there Saturday to fly anyone who wanted to. Due to some family or work commitments no one showed up Saturday but several people did show up on Sunday and had a blast flying each other, unfortunately I had gone home Saturday evening.
This interest prompted me to sponsor the Super Slow Combat SSC event at the Huntersville, NC Fall 2000 contest. The five entries are a good start and several spectators showed interest and could possibly join us next year. One of the spectators was an experienced combat flyer who had just moved into the area to start up a new business.
We flew the rounds type format with each pilot flying all the others. Bonus points for no mid-air or line tangle making either aircraft unflyable and no points for a string cut. Any engine, Fuel system and aircraft were allowed so long as they flew slower than 75mph. I also allowed starters to be used as, I feel, this event should be about flying. These rules which were derived from Phil Cartier ECSSC event, Roy’s Rules, and should be considered as a basis for a MACA governed event similar to the Old Time Stunt governed by PAMPA. They allow almost anyone to participate with available equipment. If anyone wants a copy of these rules please contact me and I will send you a copy. Phil’s rules are available on his web site. These rules force some of the aggressiveness to be toned down and bring tactics into play.
Streamers were made from plastic tablecloth, which had to be cut by the prop, as hitting the streamer with a wing or lines did not cause a cut. Only 6 cuts were made in the 10 matches flown. There were only two midair’s and no flyaway’s. Shut-Off’s were recommended but not required. I did not see any in use.
Clayton Smith (NC) upheld his win streak at this event as he has won all three combat contests we have held. Wayne Foster (NC) who finished only 5 points, 1,733 to 1,728, behind pushed him hard. . I was involved in both midair’s and my errors dropped Andy Patterson (NC) and Dennis Hastings (Del) into 3rd and 4th with only 6 points, 1,303 to 1,297, separating them. There was some really good flying done by all flyers but the best effort was between Clayton and Dennis as they managed to get into and out of a line tangle in the air. It came down to the final match between Clayton and myself to determine the winner. Clayton flew a very tactical match in which he allowed me to make 3 cuts but no contact or tangles, as he needed 455 points, (200-bonus and 4 min 14 sec airtime) to beat Wayne. He got 459 points, it was not pretty but it worked.
Pit crews and judging were helped by several of Andy Patterson’s club members, the Triangle Skymasters from the Raleigh NC area, including the Huntersville Spring 2000 contest director Ed Culver. This support was greatly appreciated and is what will help us bring combat back to the southeast. Dennis Hastings, District 4 MACA VP and his wife Charlene(?) who helped pit Dennis, drove down from Seaford, Delaware to participate. Look foreword to having them back next year.
Equipment ranged from old slow & fast combat designs to purpose built Super Slow designs. Dennis had the purpose built aircraft with a Fox 25BBs on them. Simple design but very effective. Several flyers and spectators were interested in obtaining plans and/or kits from him. Wayne Foster was flying his Phantom design with a Fox 35 stunt on it. Andy Patterson flew his Carbon Eagle Design with Thunder Tiger or OS Max 40s engines. I flew a combination of old fast wings, a very old Paul Curtis slow design and Beardon’s Sidewinder all with Super Tiger 35C engines. Clayton has the best tank design, chicken hopper, as he usually has long engine runs of 5 to 6 min. duration. Don’t know what tank Wayne was using but he had the most consistently long runs of the day.
Mack Henry from Nashville, TN brought a FAI ship which he flew several tines after we were finished. Incredible maneuverability and sound even with the muffler. Wayne and another guy flew it. It was to quick for my OLD reflexes to even want to try it.
With the success of this effort I will be sponsoring Super Slow Combat for the MCLS Huntersville 2001, Spring (Jun) & Fall (Oct) contests. Look foreword to having more contestants. Will post info on the various CL Web Sites, as more info is available.