Colton Lutz flies his Ring Rat in Beginner Precision Aerobatics at Stunt-a-Thon at Thun Field in Puyallup, Wash.
What a beautiful setting for a model airplane contest. Flying Lines photo.
Stunt-a-Thon 2013
Light turnout but close competition at 33rd annual Puyallup contest
June 22-23, 2013, Pierce County Airport (Thun Field), Puyallup, Wash.
Thun Field once again provided an aviation backdrop for the annual June Stunt contest in Washington state, with the flying circles surrounded by full-scale planes and spectators watching from the adjacent restaurant and parking lot. As usual, the Northwest Skyraiders put on an excellent weekend of competition, food was good at the Hangar Inn and lots of aviation goodies could be admired at the next-door Spencer Aviation.
The control-line flying youth movement was in evidence as the Johnson family and Colton Lutz joined the competition and did well in the flying. Colton, 9, did his first-ever loop in his official flight.
Weather was warm and the wind was shifty on Saturday for the preliminary events. It was cooler with sprinkles on Sunday, but the mild wind was steady and in one direction, excellent for Precision Aerobatics. Turnout in all events was light, but the competition no less vigorous.
In the main event, Expert Precision Aerobatics, it was a nearly all-electric event with five of the six planes using electrons for power. Paul Walker edged out Chris Cox in an international battle, with a best flight of 599.5 vs. Cox's 595.5.
Contest Director Dave Gardner, computer wizard and Tabulator Howard Rush, Carrier Director Mike Potter and a host of helpers kept the contest moving smoothly. Nice trophy plaques and prizes followed the flying.
Stuntathon 2013 Results (Northwest standings points in parentheses):
OLD-TIME STUNT (3 entries)
1. Pete Peterson, Tacoma, Wash. -- 282 (3)
2. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore. -- 261.5 (2)
3. Bob Emmett, Sequim, Wash.. -- 177 (1)
Judges: Mike Haverly, Gary Letsinger
CLASSIC STUNT (3 entries)
1. Pete Peterson -- 552 (3)
2. John Thompson -- 478.5 (2)
3. Rex Abbott, Sequim, Wash. -- 432 (1)
Judges: Mike Haverly, Steve Helmick
Photo: Paul Walker puts in an official flight in Expert Precision Aerobatics. Rex Abbott photo.
SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (2 entries)
1. Tom Strom, Olympia, Wash. -- 447 (2)
2. Marc Winz, Edgewood, Wash. -- 385 (1)
Judges: Steve Helmick, Paul Walker
EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (2 entries)
1. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash. -- 485 (2)
2. John Thompson -- 444 (1)
Judges: Steve Helmick, Paul Walker
BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (2 entries)
1. Daniel Johnson, Rochester, Wash. -- 153 (2)
2. Colton Lutz, Auburn, Wash. -- 55.5 (1)
Judges: Pete Ferguson, Steve Helmick
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (3 entries)
1. Rex Abbott -- 407 (3)
2. Marc Winz -- 401 (2)
3. Mike Denlis, Springfield, Ore. -- 385 (1)
Judges: Chris Cox, Alan Resinger
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (3 entries)
1. Steve Helmick, Renton, Wash. -- 484 (3)
2. Tom Strom -- 481 (2)
3. Pete Ferguson, Auburn, Wash. -- 464 (1)
Judges: Mike Haverly, Pete Peterson
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (6 entries)
1. Paul Walker, Deer Park, Wash. -- 599.5 (9)
2. Chris Cox, Delta, B.C. -- 595 (7.5)
3. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash. -- 593 (6)
4. Alan Resinger, Delta, B.C. -- 562 (4.5)
5. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash. -- 540
6. John Thompson -- 495
Judges: Steve Helmick and Pete Peterson
SPORT 40 NAVY CARRIER (4 entries)
1. Mike Potter, Auburn, Wash. -- 195.1 (4)
2. Nathan Johnson, Rochester, Wash. -- 191.9 (3)
3. Bill Darkow, Tenino, Wash. -- 182.9 (2)
4. Daniel Johnson, 182.2 (1)
More photos from Stunt-a-Thon
A close-up of some of the decorations on Paul Walker's electric-powered Predator, the winning plane in Expert Precision Aerobatics. Flying Lines photo.
Mike Denlis pilots a flight in Intermediate Precision Aerobatics Flying Lines photo.
Rex Abbott checks RPM on his four-stroke engine with a tachometer before a flight; Tom Strom holds. Flying Lines photo.
Electric-powered Ring Rat is an excellent stunt trainer; Colton Lutz flew this one. Flying Lines photo.
Nathan Johnson launches for Daniel Johnson in a Beginner Precision Aerobatics flight. Flying Lines photo.
Marc Winz pilots an Intermediate Precision Aerobatics flight as judges Alan Resinger (left) and Chris Cox mark scores. Flying Lines photo.
Tom Strom carries his electric Vector 40 -- an excellent Ultracote finish. Flying Lines photo.
Appearance judging on th circle: Judges Steve Helmick (left) and Pete Peterson examine Mike Haverly's plane as Mike (right) and Colton Lutz stand by.
Flying Lines photo.
Colton launches for Mike. Flying Lines photo.
Haverly's profile looks great in the air. Flying Lines photo.
John Thompson tachs the engine on his ancient Vector 40 before a flight, as Mike Haverly holds. Don McClave photo.
Light rain on Sunday led some fliers to protect their airplanes. Rex Abbott photo.
Bob Emmett's Black Tiger for Old-Time Stunt. Rex Abbott photo.
Bob Emmett takes off with the Black Tiger. Rex Abbott photo.
Chris Cox flies his Crossfire in Expert Precision Aerobatics. Rex Abbott photo.
Mike Haverly flies his nice electric profile. Rex Abbott photo.
Tom Strom puts in a flight in Profile Stunt. Rex Abbott photo.
Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Competition Standings.
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This page was upated June 10, 2014