Cruising home at 38,000 feet on my 5 hour flight to Victoria has given me some time to reflect on this past weekends events. As I stated at the beginning of this blog, I was going to try and concentrate on my flying instead of my reporting. I have had a few emails about the lack of information... i.e. it suddenly stops. Well this is an issue I have had previously with Chad when he starts a blog and then it sort of fades away... now I know why.
There is lots going on at these events and my duties also include calling for other fellow flyers as well as judging assignments. Between these I also charge batteries and prep & debrief my flights in order to clean up any obvious trouble spots in my flying.. well that's the idea anyway. Couple this with less than stellar cell reception and the time to do updates is almost non existent. So I’ll apologize to those that didn’t get the usual up to the minute report that you have become accustomed to... it was what it was.
So here a few more tidbits of contest news/chatter that just never made it in previously....
Turns out that the night before Chad was heading to Ontario, Will asked about the departure time and flight number... mmm well that’s strange, same time but different flight?? Chad suddenly realized he had booked the 8 PM flight instead of the morning one! Yikes! On to the phone and after finally getting through to the airline was able to get the last seat available on the morning flight... can you say “rebooking fee” :-)
Michi and Liyan had a delayed flight into Toronto arriving at 01:00 AM and then almost missed the rental place as it was just closing. They headed to Cobourg and arrived at their hotel at around 4 am. The manager had to be woken up to get checked in :-)
Our practice day Friday was hot, so hot that a Ford F-150 was going up in flames just before the turn off to the field! No one was injured but the smell of melting interior was noticeable at the field. Conditions were less than ideal with very gusty winds that when coupled with topography, made the air very unstable even at higher altitudes. We did fly the afternoon but finally pulled the pin for fear of breaking a plane or perhaps gear on landing.
Saturday’s flying weather was better with light winds (flying left to right) but the midair put a bit of a damper on things. Hats off to both Colin and Scott for flying so well with their respective backups.
Both Xavier and I struggled with some elements of our P rounds and I was getting pretty frustrated making uncharacteristic mistakes... (no not the Top Hat Mark... the spins now and some rollers... arghhh) Anyway I ground out the three rounds but gave up way to many points that first day. Everyone had some soft elements but Chad was obviously a notch above us all.
I got to meet and judge some familiar pilots as well as some new folks to the hobby and really enjoyed the contest banter that seems to exist at these events.
Michi had consistent flights and we worked on some center timing and line length issues together as his caller... he was constantly improving ever so slightly. It was kind of funny after his first flight I asked him why he brought his back up? He said just in case something bad happened. This is good but I told him he should have his backup right beside his primary at the start box... instead of at the end of the parking lot by his van:-) I sorted him out and he was ready the next time. Hey he’s new :-)
A little romance if you will... Xavier’s girlfriend Lise had travelled four hours to Cobourg to surprise him with a visit. Turn’s out she had planned this for a while and had been in contact with Chad about the location of the field. Chad was a bit unsure if he should cause any disruption to Xavier’s “training regime” but who wants to stand in the way of such a nice gesture. Xavier was none the less very happy to see her and looked the happiest I’d seen him all weekend... he wore his game face mostly :-)
Sunday’s flying was right to left and we finished off round 4 of P-13 . My flight was much better and after Michi and I “reviewed” correct stick inputs, I even got the spin right :-) Will was putting in solid flights in Advanced and had locked up first place. He worked on some elements that I had noticed and was looking very good... time for Masters I think.
Harry spent quite a bit of time prepping the judges for the F-13 rounds and discussing various things to look for and make sure were executed properly. After the briefing Ivan took to the skies in the first F round of the day. Ivan struggled slightly and did a very nice Figure Nine instead of the Figure Six.. hey I’m not the only one that’s done that now! The judges got their first Zero and that’s the only one I have ever seen Ivan fly.
The F-13 rounds went pretty well and it was obvious that some had been practicing this a little more than others. I had two pretty good rounds and was overall happy with my three flights on the last day... just a little too late for this party I am afraid. Chad and I had some good conversations about hitting walls and trying to take the next step in improving your flying. This after what has been an uncharacteristic start to my flying this year as I feel I have gotten worse. I came away with a few idea’s going forward. Proof is in the pudding they say.
Colin had solid P scores and his carry in was pretty insurmountable for me. I did try to put some pressure on in F but the margin was just too big. His 13 year old son Ethan showed why he should be our representative Junior flyer. He flew very well and just needs to perfect that rolling figure 8 to complete his skills set. His coach/caller/dad was pretty happy and I am sure very proud.
Xavier tried his best to relax and mentally prepare but just never seemed to get into any kind of groove. His flying, like mine, seems to be stalled a bit. Richard was trying his best but I know from experience that his plane is his biggest handicap. He needs a plane (tool) that can do the elements and demonstrate the skills I know he has in him. He did fly Xavier’s Xigris a bit after the contest and maybe one is in his future.
I’ll end this blog update with a familiar theme... a big Thank You to the Pine Ridge Club and those special members that hosted the event, the judges that I know took time out on a busy weekend, those “behind the scenes” helpers that make it happen and of course both Rosemary and Harry Ells who once again allowed us to come and stay with them. I cannot tell you how much people like this mean to our sport.
Until next time safe flying & charging!
Dave
BTW I have added additional photos to the album.
