A Bit More Nats + Photos

Pre-script:
Originally I had planned to post this in the thread: FINAL: Nats Open Top 6 but who knows what direction that thread will go!
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Just a quick observation on the Brettster (did I just call him that?!!!)

He was simply a modern day Gladiator! It was a long week for everyone and even more so for him! First he made the long solo drive from No. CA to Muncie. He carried and guarded Jim Aron’s and my plane and delivered both in pristine condition. He pushed himself to get there on Sat. so that he and Jim could have an extra day to practice/train. Unfortunately Sat. did not cooperate weather wise and he could only sit, wait and hope for a better Sunday. He was the ultimate team player for the entire week. First consoling and supporting Jim when his leadout broke and destroyed the multi-concurs winning Infinity Prime. Next he was ready to pounce on my VF 40 if I could not figure out why it went crazy on my last flight Sunday. If that wasn’t enough, he went over to the Classic circle and judged all day on Monday!!!

Thru all comedy and drama of bent line clips, forgotten maneuvers, overhead 8’s, PAMPA musings not to mention just about everything Jim and I could throw at him, HIS FLYING WAS THE PICTURE OF CONSISTANCY ALL WEEK LONG!

Personally, I know all too well how it feels to be so very close and not quite get there! When Champions compete there will always be a final winner. Friday, July 18, 2008 it was Orestes Hernandez by a thread! History has shown repeatedly for all competition at the highest level, for those who dare to be great, the margin of victory is a micro thread! My sincerest congratulations to both Orestes and Brett for once again showing us what Champions are all about. For those who were not able to witness these performances, you missed a spectacular demonstration of man and machine!

Almost forgot, he stayed in Muncie a couple of extra days solely to assist our FAI team in their preparation for the World Champs!

Finally, Brett: Thanks for everything this year and all the years I have known you. You too are my Stunt Hero!


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Bill Rich poses for his Grand-daughter


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Brett locks in the bottom

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Derek Berry...back in form after fire!

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Pioneer "Letric Man" Mike Palko's beautiful excellent flying Mustang

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Randy Smith launches for Bill Rich on hazy Muncie morning

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Kent Tysor launches Windy's incredible Spit

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Uncle Jimby (Jim Aron) launches Brett

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Yes, we have no streamers! How did it ever come to this?

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I'll post some more in a couple of days if I can get online at the Ibis. A brief Brett story in the meanwhile.

My new airplane was flying a little poorly. Brett saw it and told me to take out some tip weight. I did, and it got better. Then he watched a flight and told me to put back 1/3 of what I took out. After some mismeasurement, I added 1.1 gram, 1/3 of the 3.3 grams I took out. The plane flew better yet. Brett can tell when your tip weight is a gram off just by looking at a flight.

Howard Rush
Bellevue, WA

Great photos Phil. We want more!

Brett's not just your hero, ours too, and many others as well.

Howard, you should see the trim miracles Brett has worked for Paul's planes over the years, now there's a challange! Your plane was only off by a couple of grams.

Kevin

Howard,

When you can do the same you will win too!
Well, it probably takes telling angles to within 1 degree also.

Jim Pollock

Howard,

>>Brett can tell when your tip weight is a gram off just by looking at a flight.<<

Boy, it's that the truth. He and Mike Conner have a better eye for trim than any guys I know. Probably why I pester them so much.

Thanks, Phil. Nice photos, I look forward to more.

Best regards,

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"Never allow school to interfere with your education." -Mark Twain