It was a dark and stormy contest. Unseasonably cold weather gave way to rain and hail as the 1996 Air Sailing Sports Class contest began. Encouraged by CD Joe Findley, fourteen pilots chose to brave the elements, and four contest days were finally achieved. Although the CD had hope for assertive tasking and long, challenging flights the weather conspired to limit the days to no more than 3 hour POSTs.
The diversified field of ships included a 1-26, an L-33, two V-tail HPs (an 11 and a 14) all the way to the usual high performance glass. Pilot experience ranged from first timers Paul DeMeester (PE) and Terry (05S) & Ray (1VT) Duncan to seasoned veterans Bob McKay (6J), Steve Smith (NF), Karol Hines (LL) and Bruce Laxalt (13B). The group was kept on the straight and narrow by FAA inspector Laurie Brand (Q3).
Almost 50% of the contestants landed out, including three at Stead (Q3, PE and JT) and two at Herlong (EP & 242), thus devaluing the day. 1VT had a good flight but suffered a camera malfunction.
Of the six that took a gate, three made it back and three found fields. There was even a husband and wife simultaneous landout. When 13B put down in a nice field near Peterson Ridge the friendly farmer that came to help told him "It's a good thing you landed here and not over at the La Rue ranch. They don't like gliders much over there" to which Bruce replied "Great, my wife just landed there".
Meanwhile, Pam Sutton (JT) found dreaded "Shotgun Dalton" La Rue's front alfalfa field a great place to land. After an uneventful landing and with fear in her heart, she went looking for the infamous Dalton - only to find his very friendly and helpful wife instead. However, Dalton did show up and lived up to his reputation. Anyone reading this should be sure NOT to land there.
In his first contest win, Ty White (TY) took the day with 106 miles at a blistering (or were they goosebumps?) 49 MPH. Karol Hines came in again second again, flying 113 miles at 42 MPH. Dave Mosely scratched out of a hole at Nervino to take third with 80 miles at 33 MPH. Unfortunately over 50% landed out again and the day was devalued.
Of the five landouts that day the most memorable was 242 (Curt Laumann) who parked his 1-26 on an Indian Reservation near Fernley. The cops that came to investigate fined him $100 for landing without permission. Curt's diplomacy was later able to reduce the fine and establish a method by which pilots can purchase permits at the beginning of the year. Negotiations are still ongoing with tribal authorities.
NF and TY headed south while most everyone else favored circuits in the local northwestern and southern quadrants. As the lift was peaking and everyone was cruising, a plaintive call came over the radio from TY: "OOPS, I forgot something". At the pilot's meeting the following morning, Ty was presented with a blue clothes hangar in memory of what he forgot.
13B took the day flying 179 miles at 55.5 MPH. Seasoned competitors NF (Steve Smith) and 6J (Bob McKay) came in second and third respectively.
By winning the day, Lucky Lady also won the contest. By always getting home, never coming in less than fourth, Karol Hines became the first woman to win the Air Sailing contest.
The Air Sailing contest is Region 11's old-friends and new-friends contest - flown often in rough weather over treacherous terrain. It's been a baptism by fire for first-time CDs and pilots alike. This contest was no exception. Over half the contestants were relatively new to contest flying, -they flew well and learned the basics. More practiced racers had good and bad days, making for a competitive and challenging contest. In spite of some really questionable day prizes, Joe Findley made a great CD. All were well cared for by Norma Burnette at the gate and by Charlie Hayes working the flight line.
Rank Points No. Pilot 1 3083 LL Karol Hines 2 2894 13B Bruce Laxalt 3 2708 6J Bob McKay 4 2655 NF Steve Smith 5 2627 TY Ty White 6 1939 UJ Eldon Hinkle 7 1681 JT Pam Sutton 8 1624 2PW Dave Mosely 9 1318 242 Curt Laumann 10 1221 EP Paul DeMeester 11 1103 05S Terry Duncan 12 787 PE Rolf Peterson 13 645 Q3 Laurie Brand 14 581 1VT Ray Duncan
| Dr. Günther Eichhorn | Springer 233 Spring Street New York, NY 10013 USA, email me |