Jeff Rein makes an official flight in Classic Stunt as judges Steve Helmick (center) and Paul Walker watch closely. Airplanes in the background are part of the scene at the annual Stunt-A-Thun at Pierce County Airport (Thun Field) in Puyallup, Wash. Flying Lines photo.
It's become a pilgrimage: The annual Stunt-a-Thon, or Stunt-a-Thun, is a contest Northwest fliers just don't want to miss. The turnout was so good that the schedule had to be juggled a bit this year, but everything went smoothly even so.
Dave Gardner did an excellent job as contest director, keeping everything in the 27th annual moving along, with the help of "tallymistress" Angela Gardner and pit bosses Rod Claus and Pete Ferguson. Weather was excellent both days, partly cloudy, not too hot or too cold, and not too much wind except late on Saturday.
The aerobatics spread from the asphalt circle to the grass area on Sunday, after carrier wrapped up its one-day Saturday competition.
Fliers as usual enjoyed the circle-side restaurant and the interaction with spectators who lined the pit area fence.
The contest ended with no major crashes (one minor crash, but the plane was back in the air for its second round).
In all, an excellent contest hosted by the Northwest Skyraiders: They did it again! Can't wait until next year.
Below are the results. Northwest standings points in parentheses.
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (12 entries)
1. Paul Walker, Kent, Wash. -- 567 (18)
2. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash. -- 555.5 (16.5)
3. Bruce Hunt, Salem, Ore. -- 539 (15)
4. Randy Powell, Port Orchard, Wash. -- 537.5 (13.5)
5. Jack Pitcher, Gresham, Ore. -- 533.5
6. Scott Riese, Portland, Ore. -- 529
7. Alan Resinger, Delta, B.C. -- 524
8. Bob Smiley, Kingston, Wash. -- 518
9. Keith Varley, Vancouver, B.C. -- 507
10. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash. -- 505
11. Leo Mehl, Portland, Ore. -- 453
12. Jerry Eichten, Newberg, Ore. -- 442.5
Judges: Pete Peterson, Steve Helmick
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (4 entries)
1. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore. -- 479 (4)
2. Rich McConnell, Seattle, Wash. -- 457 (3)
3. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. -- 455.5 (2)
4. Max Boyd, Covington, Wash. -- 368 (1)
Judges: Pete Peterson, Steve Helmick
Photo: Paul Walker, first place in Expert Precision Aerobatics, with electric Impact XLE. Don Schultz photo.
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (6 entries)
1. Rob Claus, Kent, Wash. -- 473 (6)
2. Rich Cochrun, Marysville, Wash. -- 455 (5)
3. Richard Entwistle, Scappoose, Ore. -- 440 (4)
4. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash. -- 430 (3)
5. Pete Ferguson, Washington -- 411.5
6. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash. -- 346
Judges: Bob Parker, Rich McConnell
CLASSIC STUNT (13 entries)
1. Scott Riese -- 534.5 (13)
2. Bruce Hunt -- 524.5 (12)
3. Don McClave -- 519 (11)
4. Bob Smiley -- 507 (10)
5. Pete Peterson, Tacoma, Wash. -- 498.5
6. Mike Haverly -- 483.5
7. Jerry Eichten -- 480
8. Jeff Rein -- 445.5
9. John Thompson -- 442.5
10. Rich McConnell -- 406.5
11. Dan Rutherford, Bothell, Wash. -- 400
Max Boyd -- 400
13. Mark Scarborough -- 393
Judges: Steve Helmick, Paul Walker
Photo: Don McClave with the O'Toole Tucker, third place in Classic Stunt. Don Schultz photo.
OLD-TIME STUNT (8 entries)
1. Bob Smiley -- 316.5 (8)
2. Pete Peterson -- 314 (7)
3. Bob Emmett, Sequim, Wash. -- 281.5 (6)
4. Rich McConnell -- 277.4 (5)
5. Jeff Rein -- 272.5
6. Keith Varley -- 262.5
7. Ken Burdick, Kent, Wash. -- 241
8. Buzz Wilson -- 211
Judges: Bob Parker, Don McClave
PROFILE STUNT (Classes combined) (8 entries)
1. Bob Smiley -- 495.5 (8)
2. Jerry Eichten -- 488 (7)
3. Rich McConnell -- 467 (6)
4. Keith Varley -- 452.5 (5)
5. John Thompson -- 442
6. Rich Cochrun -- 431.5
7. Richard Entwistle -- 413
8. Mark Scarborough -- 366
Judges: Bob Parker, Bob Emmett
Photo: One of the more interesting Old-Time Stunt planes was this Yo-Yo, flown by Ken Burdick. Flying Lines photo.
PROFILE NAVY CARRIER (2 entries)
1. Mike Potter, Auburn, Wash. -- 290.47 (2)
2. Bill Darkow, Tenino, Wash. -- 220.43 (1)
NOSTALGIA NAVY CARRIER (2 entries)
1. Mike Potter -- 305.03 (2)
2. Walt Russell, Enumclaw, Wash. -- 215.49 (1)
Left: Carrier landings are tricky; Mike Potter stood this one on the nose, but managed to hook a wire anyway. Flying Lines photo. Right: Contest Director Dave Gardner and wife Angela, registration worker. Don Schultz photo.
Three of the Northwest's longtime control-line fliers (from left), Bob Parker, Don Schultz and Bob Emmett. Photo provided by Don Schultz.
Left photo: Howard Rush "nose" how to build a beautiful airplane. He says the "orange crate" Impact will soon be replaced by a new one. Right photo: Jack Pitcher (left) and Leo Mehl relax on the sidelines. Don Schultz photos.
Left photo: Mark Scarborough prepares to start his Gee Bee profile stunter, as Rob Claus holds. Right photo: Alan Resinger and his beautiful Firecracker. Don Schultz photos.
Mike Potter's Supermarine Spitfire for Profile Carrier, with Nelson .36 power, built by Eric Conley. Full plane shown at left, and detail of the business end at right. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: Mike Haverly's nice stand for transporting models, with his JD Falcon installed. Right photo: Max Boyd cleans up his Classic PT-19, built by Don McClave. Flying Lines photos.
Classic planes lined up in the pits, with the Hangar Inn restaurant in the background. Flying Lines photo.
Jerry Eichten pull-tests his SV-11 for a precision aerobatics flight, with the PA lineup behind him. Flying Lines photo.
Left photo: Ken Burdick gets last-minute details of the Old-Time Stunt Pattern just before an official flight. Right photo: Pete Peterson's nice Jamison Special for Old-Time Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
Randy Powell's plane has passed out of the photo, but the smoke trail describes its path. Another beautiful day of stunt flying! Flying Lines photo.
Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Competition Standings.
This page was upated June 26, 2008