Stuntathon/StuntaThun, take your pick.

This was a lightly attended NW contest, with weather explaining most of the missing faces. There were, however, great moments of entertainment.

As he has already poked me in another thread, Randy Powell easily gave all of us more than our entry fee in pure, raw, "Oh, my God" fun.

I did not see the launch of Randy's new PA model--a piece seen on this site and over which many of you expressed an appreciation for--but for some reason it took an oblique left. (On a day when everybody else was taking off downwind, Randy just had to begin his flight at the feet of the judges.)

The next thing to happen I did see and that was for the lines to snag on some improbably small booger on what must be regarded as pretty smooth asphalt.

Randy instantly backed up, but it was clear that wasn't going to be quite enough. So he pulled the handle back as well.

Not apparent to those outside the circle, nor to Randy I'm betting, was that he had pulled the handle to his, uh, groin area. Hey, I don't get it either, but none of us were trying to regain control over the efforts of a winter.

The model did eventually hit the end of the lines. But it just went straight up. Then straight down. Straight up. Straight down. A bit of level flight. Straight up. Straight down. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry or get out the AMA insurance forms. The latter seemed like a pretty good idea, as in messing around as if he were trying to open his fly Randy had strayed a good distance from circle center in a circle where we had, at best, 6 feet or so between models on full-length lines and the nose of a pretty decent Apache twin. Yes, full-size.

As it was pretty obvious Randy was just going to plant the thing anyway, I ran over to get a line on whether or not he might actually hit a relatively expensive piece of equipment. *No problem!* He was over-flying the twin by a good 3 1/2 feet. Another first-time contest site lost forever...

And of course we can't forget those eating lunch in restaurant very close by, prime view of the contest circles.

By now this had gone on for far too long. But the model was kinda under control in that the wild and unpredictable gyrations had stopped. As in they weren't quite so wild, although still unpredictable.

In looking at Randy it quickly became clearer as to the source of his problems: In yanking back on the lines, somehow a button on his jacket had snagged the leadouts on his handle, jamming the controls! While I don't know for certain, it appears as if in the beginning of this little drama, his first instinct was to save the model, once it hit the end of the lines the primary fight was to get clear of the button, this leading to all manner of totally erratic control input, catching it, fighting the button, Ooops! There goes the dang model again!, just pulling it out, attention to the button, this scenario repeated over and over.

The old joke about chewing gum and walking at the same time comes to mind, although it won't be mentioned, having been judged a comment which is much too cruel to be included in this sad story.

Jerry Eichten ran out, but no tools to be seen. I waited a moment, the model actually went level for a couple laps, I ran out as well. Pulled my trusty SuperTool from its carrier, told Randy there would be no problem, the slice would be neat, quick and painless as the blade was freshly sharpened.

Randy seemed to think this meant something other than just cutting his jacket, and as he was still holding the handle well below waist level, rejected my gracious offer with extreme prejudice.

Be that way...

Jerry and I left circle center, assuming there might be further entertainment when the engine ran out of gas, and we didn't want to be involved in the lawsuit certain to follow.

Then Randy cleared the button fouling his lines, even did a couple loops, landed.

And almost immediately put that sucker back in his car, the model to never again be let outside to play on this particular day.

Well, that's sort of how it happened. By the time Dan came running out to the circle, I had the thing more or less under control and had moved back to the center of the circle. Another few laps and I was disentangled from the lines and finished the flight fairly non-eventfully...thank God. It is lot more humorous now than it seemed at the time. But since I walked away with an intact plane, I'll laugh along.

It didn't come back out because I didn't have another prop...or the nerve to fly again. I figured I'd expended my allowance of luck for the day. The back to back, out of control wingovers that began the little excursion were enough for me. And while I did in fact overfly the twin, I was 30 feet off the ground so 3 and a half feet is probably a bit of an exaggeration. But seeing the full sized plane even that close was enough for me to scurry back to the center of the circle.

Randy,

Me? Embellish the truth? Say it's not so...

C'mon, let's face it, you were really busy in the center of the circle, plus at times weren't even looking at the model.

I can assure you, in the strongest terms possible, there were at least two passes made by your model, over the full-size twin, which were not even close to 30 feet of altitude.

But you pulled it off and I'm not so sure any of us can make the claim we would have done any better.

I still would have liked to have cut you loose. You aren't planning on having any more children anyway. Are you?

Glad you saved it Randy, Dan needed some new stuff to talk about, it'll take the target off my butt at least temporarily, right Dan?
Good thing the Lanceair wasn't parked there!
So who flew, and what were the results of the contest?

www.willspad.com

Yea Dan, work over Bob for a bit. At least I only ALMOST crash a MODEL.

SURE... How much acid did you take to think up this one.

Scott

Scott,

You should have been there. You would have appreciated it.

OK, since the model and pilot survived, I must now laugh my fool-head off! Bahahahahahahah!!!

Better send this one to Dee for the "Bonehead" column!

Hard to imagine how this won't be the Northwest 'highlight of the season' from a spectator's perspective... It was frightful from the get-go --Randy's plane ran about a lap on the ground before streaking straight up off the pavement and over the top. There were at least three times I was certain it was going in, only to have it turn wildly and look for another place to smack pavement. (Yuh know, those might actually have been 5-foot corners.)

My favorite comment from Randy, as Dan approached, knife drawn, offering to cut the bottom part of the jacket, "I don't want you slashing anything down there while I'm turning circles." Randy did fight mightily to keep it off the deck, all while his handle was twisted down near his waist. Well done, brave flyer.

Randy didn't fly the second round due to a prop shortage. If that had been me it would have been due to a shorts shortage... (I took off in the same spot -- seemed fine for me. It was the best spot before the pavement ran downhill and across the weed line.)

Congrats to Dan on his Expert win. His small plane with a higher wing loading handled the turbulence pretty well. Here's a spy photo of Dan's ship.

Whatever the exact altitude, it was WAY SCARY, with potential for a year or more of filling out forms and writing letters. Ugh! I would add, that when I was shown the site, we were going to have more room than we actually did. Mike (Skyshark58) Potter says we can get rid of that whole row of 1:1 scale AC next year. Or, maybe we can have it at Sand Point NAS next year? I did like having the "Hanger Inn" right on the other side of the pits, tho. Kudos to Spencer Aircraft for their hospitality, Bruce Thun (Airport Manager) for his interest, and Chris Gomez for taking over CD job when Dave Gardner suddenly couldn't attend. Judges included Mike Haverly, Bob Cooke, Bob Parker, Bob Emmett, Bruce Hunt, Rich McConnell and myself. Steve

Ron B.
F4Fguy

Dan:

Now,THAT'S funny!! Best contest report I've ever read!

THANK'S,

Ron,

I will never hear the end of this one. Trust me. I'd like to say it was skill that kept the plane out of the pavement, but mostly it was just sheer dumb luck and some deep seated self preservation.

And an engine that cut through the turbulence and allowed me time to disengage the darned lines. But mostly dumb luck.

Further proof, that a picture is worth a thousand words!! Paul

Great stuff!! Been reading this forum for about 5 years now, this is my best laugh so far. How many other clowns yawl got out there??Allan Perret

With the blustery, shifty wind, Randy's wild escapade provided only one of a number of exciting moments -- the best one, of course. There were several blown-out maneuvers and 1-foot pullouts, leading to the occasional whoop from the peanut gallery. Only one tragic event, but we'll let Dan tell that one if he wants to ...
--jt

Although it was a blustery contest and this kept all the wimps and girlie types away, personally I had a great time. I mean, leaving with three first-place finishes is a terrific deal when the prizes are high-quality folding camp chairs, complete with storage/carrying bag.

Chris Gomez, ever the man for meaningful details, had even attached stickers announcing the event and finish, enclosing these in clear plastic envelopes. While these chairs will be seen at a great many future contests, the one which carries First Place, PA Expert is *mine,* no exceptions. Well, Chris would be one. And Steve. Bruce. Kristen. Okay, it's festival seating, just leave one of the three for my rear end.

Oh, yeah. The chairs were all treated to the NW Skyraiders logo on back panel. Best prizes I have walked away with for years and years.

I was a little surprised to at one point hear Steve Helmick mutter something about "over selling" the contest site. Hmmmm. There are some negatives, but no site is perfect. Asphalt is heavily crowned, drainage is not a problem here. Full-scale aircraft were pretty close, but that's easy to fix. The wind over the buildings was a challenge, but overall the conditions were much the same for each flier.

Having a flying site where there are *no noise restrictions whatsoever* is pretty neat. The Hangar Inn (Steve, note proper spelling, this being payback for calling me on Thunder Tiger plugs when I should have written Thunderbolt plugs--smiley face here) was, what, 100 feet away. I suppose the patrons enjoyed at least part of the show, we enjoyed ready access to breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus clean restrooms.

Spectators were mostly knowledgable, there was even interest in CL from several. And they were all behind a sturdy cyclone fence, our pit area immediately adjacent to said fence.

Having a practice circle was really nice, especially when I convinced Bruce that he and I share my ARF Flite Streak/20FP in P-40.

Thanks, Steve. I liked the site, personally found it to be much better than Clover Park.

Will Reeb is not off The List. Not yet. Even Randy's stellar performance--and yes, I was exceedingly impressed that he saved it--pales in comparison to...well, let's limit our ridicule of Will to the PAC contest in B.C. this summer.

Will ought be advised the Lancair with which all of us are familiar not only was not at Thun Field, it is rumored to be sitting fuselage flat to the ground. We'll let Bob Smiley tell the story at his leisure, for now we are all tremendously relieved he didn't strain the sucker through a line of trees.

I'll take John's hint. My Oriental had been flown that Saturday, into the pits where it was pull-tested. First round came up, all was ready. I have the habit of "floating" the handle on my finger tips such that with finger pressure top and bottom of handle I can very quickly cycle the controls. Sticky lines and such show up where they can otherwise not be noticed.

Something felt wrong, I put a firmer grip on the handle, pulled in some tension and after three or four wiggles it all felt fine, neutral was still neutral. Evidently the brass tube used in bushing the leadouts had already broken, was sticking up while still retained in 'crank and the temporary nastiness I felt was this tube (evidently) clearing a rib or two out of the way.

At launch there was enough tension to begin pulling bushed leadout from 'crank, model went up but not radically so. Once toward the downwind side there was enough tension to pull the broken piece completely free, instant three inside loops.

Broke nose of model pretty completely, fuselage just forward of stabilizer nicely broken into two pieces.

Hey! It was a nice model, wish I had it back, but it was also 5 or 6 years old, had given me a lot of pleasure and flying time over the years. No regrets...

However, one regret is losing the L&J Fox 35. Yes, with High Zoot crank from Randy Smith. At 40 to 50 flights the exhaust had just started to come clear and the engine was running real well, had a string of about 16 first-flip starts to its credit.

And don't let anyone tell you the PA Fox 35 cranks cannot be broken, as a good smack into asphalt sure broke mine. The case is assumed to have taken an it's-junk hit, what with the crank breaking, so this was not a highlight of my contest.

Note to Heman: I owe you one, having criticized you for going ahead and taking off when your ARF Nobler gave you hints similar to the ones coming from my Oriental. Should have taken my own advice...

For those who care, the Oriental always had a problem in that when cleaning off all the heavy-on-oil fuel and moving the surfaces in wiping them down, one leadout would get hung up on the bellcrank, locking the controls. Pulling on both leadouts would quickly clear the problem, but over the years that cable got flexed just one too many times.

Thanks to all those who helped in picking up the trash, some of which blew downwind, I was able to quickly shift gears, snagging an ARF Flite Streak/20FP combo out of the van. No time for a test flight, but Bob Emmett made sure I knew there was an attempt only on my record, that a first-round flight was easily possible.

Thanks to the amazing consistency of 20FPs I only needed to get fuel in it and get a known-to-be-good setting with a tach, hook up the lines, get a pull-test, tell the judges to zero-out my appearance points. No problem.

The FS felt plenty solid, so I convinced Bruce Hunt to at least put up one flight on it, if he could deal with a 27-ounce ARF with a "too-small" engine after flying his, um, substantial Shark 45 w/ST 60. First flight was fine, second was a lot better, third he was pretty much dialed, so we shared the model for P-40 competition. It was great fun, especially as the conditions we had are not normally viewed as conducive to use of a Pukey Profile, yet we had no problems of significance through a total of 10 flights.

On Sunday we had similar weather patterns, just more of most everything. Didn't think much of risking my Impact, plus with the positive experiences of previous day I drug out the Skyray 35/20FP, test-flew it once, removed air filter, bumped the nitro to 15%, increased launch revs to 11,400 from 11,200. All was good...

Jerry Eichten brought son Matthew with him to compete in Beginner. Really nice kid, engaging smile, a whole bunch smarter than his father. Yes, I tried to get the 20FP I had gifted to Matthew back from him, he wasn't going for it. (The Salem club two or three years ago offered a NIB 20FP as a prize. I snagged it, thought "Shheeesh, what use would I have for such a thing?" and tossed it to Jerry. Don't let anyone tell you I have ever made a smart decision in my whole life.)

There was more, a lot more. But we need to leave some scraps on the table for when Bruce writes his District 11 column.

I look forward to another contest at this site. Double the insurance on Randy and we're good to go...

>>Double the insurance on Randy and we're good to go...<<

Just wait, Dan. You will, afterall, get yours.