The lineup of Precision Aerobatics airplanes on Sunday at the 2009 Fall Follies. Flying Lines photo.
The annual season-ender for Northwest stunt competitors took place under mostly sunny skies. It was breezy on Saturday but not enough to keep anyone from flying. Lighter breeze on Sunday made for even better flying conditions and some excellent performances were turned in in all competition classes. It was chilly in the mornings, but an extra layer of clothing (which was shed later in the day) was all it took to make it a pleasant contest.
Paul Walker topped the Expert Precision Aerobatics field on Sunday. The closest finish was a shootout in the Sportsman Profile Stunt class on Saturday, with the top three finishers separated by only a single point, with Greg Hart of Molalla, Ore., coming out on top.
There was only one crash during the two-day meet.
The contest was also the occasion for awarding the annual Vintage Stunt Trophy to Bruce Hunt of Salem, who captured the prize for the third time. The trophy, conceived and sponsored by Don McClave, is awarded annually to the flier who scores the most points in the Flying Lines standings for combined Old-Time and Classic Stunt. Bruce also won the award in 2006 and 2008. Other winners have been Scott Riese (2005) and Pat Johnston (2007). It was decided that the Vintage Stunt Trophy has been a success, and trophies will be purchased for the coming five years to keep the series going. Thanks to Don for conceiving and sponsoring the series. Don also donated fuel tank kits to the top three series finishers. Mike Haverly of Auburn, Wash., finished second and Pete Peterson of Tacoma, Wash., third.
The annual Sunday afternoon barbecue hosted by Contest Director Mike Hazel with help from Craig Bartlett made for a happy, well-fed bunch of stunt fliers. We're already looking forward to the 24th annual, next October!
Contest staff:
Field setup: Mike Hazel, Bruce Hunt
Tabulation and score running: Mike Hazel
Sunday barbecue: Mike Hazel, Craig Bartlett
Contest Director: Mike Hazel
Thanks also to many others who helped out with various chores and details!
Sponsor: Western Oregon Control-Line Flyers
NW Standings points in parentheses
CLASSIC STUNT (8 entries)
1. Bruce Hunt, Salem, Ore., 501 (8)
2. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash., 458.5 (7)
3. Greg Hart, Molalla, Ore., 448.5 (6)
4. Dan Rutherford, Bothell, Wash., 448 (5)
5. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash., 441
6. Dane Covey, Tacoma, Wash., 434
7. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore., 429
8. John Witt, Edmonds, Wash., 312.5
Judges: Jerry Eichten, Don McClave
Photo: Bruce Hunt shows off the 2009 Vintage Stunt Trophy and his Lark, powered by O.S. LA .46, which he used in Classic Stunt to pile up the championship points. It's the third time Bruce has won the annual season trophy Flying Lines photo.
SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (4 entries)
1. Greg Hart, 436.5 (4)
2. Steve Helmick, Renton, Wash., 436 (3)
3. Dane Covey, 435.5 (2)
4. Richard Entwhistle, Scappoose, Ore., 422.5 (1)
Judges: Bruce Hunt, John Thompson
EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (3 entries)
1. Dan Rutherford, 475 (3)
2. Mike Haverly, 459.5 (2)
3. John Thompson, 414 (1)
Judges: Bruce Hunt, Steve Helmick
BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (1 entries)
1. Robert Ladd, Milwaukie, Ore., 202.5 (1)
Judges: Don McClave, John Thompson
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (3 entries)
1. Richard Entwhistle, 424 (3)
2. Dane Covey, 413.5 (2)
3. John Witt, 367.5 (1)
Judges: Don McClave, John Thompson
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (2 entries)
1. Greg Hart, 427.5 (2)
2. Steve Helmick, 414.5 (1)
Judges: Don McClave, Paul Walker
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (7 entries)
1. Paul Walker, Kent, Wash., 566 (10.5)
2. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash., 549 (9)
3. Bruce Hunt, 512 (7.5)
4. Dan Rutherford, 483 (6)
5. John Leidle, 479
6. Mike Haverly, 478.5
John Thompson, 478.5
Judges: Don McClave, Steve Helmick
NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (1 entry)
1. No race held
Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Control-Line Competition Standings.
Ant's-eye view of the Precision Aerobatics plane lineup, led by Dan Rutherford's Impact. Next is John Thompson's Vector and Mike Haverly's Shrike. Bruce Hunt photo.
Mike Haverly's Shrike looks beautiful in the air. Flying Lines photos.
Greg Hart's trademark color scheme looks good on both his Profile Roadrunner and Classic JD Falcoln. Flying Lines photo.
Comparing notes in the Precision Aerobatics pits: From left, Dan Rutherford, Paul Walker, Howard Rush. At right is Steve Helmick. Bruce Hunt photo.
Left photo: Classic Stunt judges Jerry Eichten (left) and Don McClave. Right photo: Greg Hart tunes the Falcon as Richard Entwhistle holds. Bruce Hunt photos.
Dan Rutherford heads to the circle for a Profile flight with The World's Best Flite Streak. Flying Lines photo.
The World's Best Flight Steak, nicknamed by some observers the "Flag Streak," actually an oversized Flite Streak powered by an OS FP .20, looks patriotic in the air! Flying Lines photo.
Richart Entwhistle's Profile Cardinal flies well. Flying Lines photo.
Mike Haverly's KISS!2 Profile features a Magnun .36 with tuned pipe. Flying Lines photo.
John Leidle performs maintenance in the Classic Stunt and Profile Stunt pits. Flying Lines photo.
Mike Haverly's unique Freedom 45, seen from the bottom as Dave Royer carries it back to the pits after a flight. Flying Lines photo.
This page was upated Dec. 4, 2009