Airpark Elite Pylon Race, September 20, 2003

 Recently overheard just after take-off:  “Um, I think my ailerons are reversed.”  More details to come.

 Five down, one to go.  Our fifth pylon race of the season was another great success.  Turn out was good with five in 424, nine in 428, and four in 422.  The morning started out with overcast skies and calm winds right down the runway.   However, by lunch, the skies had cleared but the winds had swung around presenting a tailwind on takeoff.  Only 422 was affected – three sissy racers out of the four voted to call it quits after only one round.  Fortunately four rounds of 424 and 428 were completed.  We have become quite accustomed to the winds in the area and experienced only one mishap all day – our only newbie in attendance lost his Scatcat coming out of  #3.  Fortunately, he was seen leaving with Kurt B.’s new-in-the-box Great Planes Viper ARF.

 Airpark Elite prez and den mother Tom Neff was the CD and was pummeled into the world of lap-counters and timers.  He is now on a quest to find “Stopwatches for Idiots” at Barnes&Noble.  Reason:  Our forever pit boss Al Thovson Sr. decided to take a vacation.  Tom, now you know how I felt when Phil the cook took last race off!   Once again, the Civil Air Patrol was a big help.  We had all stations manned and all heats went off without a hitch.  Nick, our favorite starter, kept us all out of trouble and ran a smooth flight line.

 This is where I normally take a provoked yet passively aggressive stab at Hal Garwood.  Unfortunately, his wife called and informed me that he was a philanthropist at heart.  Sure enough, Hal showed up to the race with a brand new digital starting clock with a display of at least 15 inches built and funded by Hal himself.  It stands approximately 3 feet tall and works beautifully.  It is very easy to read, especially when you are trying to change a glow plug, huh Duane G.?  Five, four, three... Seriously, THANK YOU HAL GARWOOD!!!  But Hal, to be a true philanthropist you can’t follow it up with an invoice.

 The only altercation observed during the day was over the color of Duane G.’s airplanes.  Seems someone accused Duane of using leftover lavender house paint from when he recently painted his daughter’s room.  Duane took offense and passionately let us know it was lilac, not lavender.  Either way, his planes were fast.  In fact, Duane was on his way to a second 428 victory entering the fourth and final heat when a balky engine got the best of him.   He and John Sandusky flew an exciting fly-off for second place.

 Here are the day’s results:

             AMA 424 (5)

            Alan Thovson     (9 pnts) (fast time 1:45)

            Gary Johnson     (8)

            Steve Vaughn     (6) (fast time 1:45)

            Bryant Johnson   (3)

            Chester S.          (1)  

             AMA 428 (9)

            Brian Neff             (11 pnts)

            Duane Gall            (9) (fast time 1:18)

            John Sandusky      (9)

            John Williams        (8)

            Kurt Bozarth         (8)

            Mike Farnsworth  (6)

            Dave Martinelli     (6)

            Hal Garwood       (5) (fast time 1:18)

            Craig Farthing      (0)

             AMA 422 (4)

            Duane Gall         (4 pnts)

John Williams     (3)

            Kurt Bozarth      (2)

            Brian Neff          (1)

Now back to our lead story.  I had the privilege of calling for one of our more proficient racers who normally has his dad, Tom Neff, call for him (due to the sensitivity of the situation, I have promised not to reveal his identity.)  I had just launched his plane for the first time and had made my way back to his side when I noticed his plane hadn’t made its way back to #2.  That’s when I heard the following: “Um, Kurt, I think my ailerons are reversed.”  My immediate response was to ask “OK Brian, where did you crash?”  Unnamed pilot then stated that he hadn’t crashed and asked me to reprogram his radio while he continued flying.  Fortunately I was familiar with his brand of radio and quickly did what he requested.  In almost no time, he was back on course.  He is now my hero.  Try doing that successfully on even just a simulator, I dare you.  Reminds me of trying to recover a control-line model after launch realizing you have the handle upside-down!  With that, I think I need to go practice.  See ya next month.

 

Kurt Bozarth