Chehalis Cup Contest No. 2, clockwise from upper left: Sporting their 2011 MACA shirts (from left) Jeff Rein, Buzz Wilson, Don McKay, Bob Smith; Jeff Rein starts engine as Jim Green holds; Don McKay starts as Bob Smith holds; Jim Green goes for the beans; Bob, Jeff and Don work on Don's plane; Daniel and Scott practice their judging technique. Roberta Martin photos.
What a difference a month can make; in May, the site was a swamp, in June it was dry. Five flyers showed up to fly -- Don McKay, Jim Green, Robert Smith, Jeff Rein, and myself, absent were the Beavers. The most important person to show was Roberta Martin -- The Bod Busters Official Caterer. For those of you who have not been coming to the contest you are missing Roberta's catered lunches.
The advertised events were single elimination Half A and C- Cup 15 Cuts only. At the pilot's meeting, it was decided to fly both events as round robin. This meant each flyer would fly every other flyer. Placing would be decided based on wins and losses. In the event of a tie, head-to-head results would determine the outcome. With the round robin format, there are no re-flies; a no decision is a tie.
Pilots agreed to the 30-second starting period and a five-minute match. This is working well. There were some good matches with Don McKay winning first, Robert Smith second and Jeff Rein third. Half A finished at noon and it was time for the Roberta feed. Ribs, beans, corn muffins, salad, fresh fruit. When lunch was finished, Jeff Rein handed out the MACA shirts.
Photo: Speed Limit winner Bob Smith.
With well-fed flyers, Cuts Only started at 1:00; again flying the round robin format. We made a slight change to the starting procedure. Pilots are given time to warm their engine. A 30-second starting period is then given. Matches are four minutes long. Jeff and I had the best match of the day. The wind had picked up and before we started flying combat, we agreed to fly on the downwind side of the circle. Jeff got a cut on me and then another, all that was left was the knot. I got a cut on him and then a very small cut taking everything but the knot. Jeff said should we go for the knots, and off we went again. Unfortunately, for me the match ended in a midair with Jeff taking my knot as well as removing the shutoff from the bar. We both agreed that match is why we fly combat.
Going into the final match of the day, I needed to beat Robert for first. Our match ended in a midair with Robert getting a cut in the process. First Place went to Robert Smith; there was a three-way tie for second between Don McKay, Jeff Rein, and myself. Jim Green nailed down fifth.
Scott and his two sons Daniel and Nathan helped judge. When the awards were being handed out, Robert Smith gave Daniel and Nathan a kit that he had won at the Regionals. These are great kids. Nathan brought his Brodak P-51 Mustang that is ready for decals. He is trying to get it ready to fly beginner stunt.
Half way through the C-Cup season, Robert is leading with 5 wins, Buzz has 4 wins, Don and Jeff with 3 wins, and Jim Green with 1 win. The C-Cup now switches from Cuts to Kills for the next two contests.
Here are the results (Northwest standings points in parentheses):
1/2-A COMBAT (5 entries)
1. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash. (5)
2. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (4)
3. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (3)
4. Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash. (2)
5. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash.
SPEED LIMIT COMBAT (F2D CUTS ONLY) (5 entries)
1. Robert Smith (5)
2. Buzz Wilson (3)
Don McKay (3)
Jeff Rein (3)
5. Jim Green
Chehalis Cup Contest No. 3 is scheduled for July 28 See Where the Action Is for details.
This page was upated June 18, 2012