Flying Lines: Fall Follies 2014

Lineup of some of the Precision Aerobatics planes on Sunday at the 28th annual Fall Follies. Floyd Carter photo.

Fall Follies winds up stunt, combat season on a sunny note

Oct. 4-5, 2014, Bill Riegel Field, Salem, Ore.

Two days of perfect weather brought the Northwest aerobatics and combat season to a close with the 28th running of the Fall Follies, sponsored by the Western Oregon Control-Line Flyers.

Classic, Old-Time and Profile Stunt were the Saturday events and the four classes of PAMPA Precision Aerobatics were on Sunday. Saturday also hosted the finale of the Chehalis Cup Combat series, with High-Performance 1/2-A Combat and F2D Fast Combat on the grass field.

In addition to the aerobatics and combat competition, quite a number of flights were made on the venerable Ringmaster airplane design for submission to the worldwide Ringmaster fly-a-thon that took place on the same weekend. Some of the Ringmaster flights were officials in Old-Time Stunt, and many were made on the side, just to contribute to the global celebration of the Matt Kania airplane design. (For information on the Ringmaster fun fly, see Brotherhood of the Ring.)

Paul Walker captured the Expert Precision Aerobatics crown, and Fred Underwood captured the Advanced trophy. In Saturday events, Mark Scarborough topped Classic Stunt and Dave Royer won Old-Time. Mike Haverly won Expert Profile Stunt and Scarborough captured the Sportsman Profile Stunt class. On the grass, Jeff Rein won 1/2-A Combat and Robert Smith won F2D Fast.

The Follies is also the place where the annual Vintage Stunt Trophy race is awarded to the top scorer in the Flying Lines Northwest standings in combined Old-Time and Classic Stunt. This year's trophy, sponsored by Flying Lines, was won by John Thompson, who scored points in both Old-Time and Classic. Previous winners have been Bruce Hunt (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010), Scott Riese (2005) and Pat Johnston (2007) and Pete Peterson (2011), Alan Resinger and John Thompson (2012, tie), and Pete Peterson, 2013.

Contest staff:
Field mowing: Mike Hazel
Field setup: Mike Hazel and WOLF Club members
Registration: Barbara White
Weighing and pull-testing: Mike Denlis and Richard Entwhistle
Tabulation: Barbara White
Sunday barbecue: Mike Hazel
Contest Director: John Thompson
Stunt Event Director: John Thompson
Combat Event Director: Buzz Wilson
Thanks also to many others who helped out with various chores and details!
Sponsor: Western Oregon Control-Line Flyers

Fall Follies Results

CLASSIC STUNT (6 entries)
1. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash. -- 553.5 (6)
2. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash. -- 539 (5)
3. Bruce Hunt, Lake Stevens, Wash. -- 537.5 (4)
4. Gordon Rea, Eugene, Ore. -- 496.5 (3)
5. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore. -- 475
6. Mike Massey, Cottage Grove, Ore. -- 460
Judges: Scott Riese and Tim Wescott

OLD-TIME STUNT (3 entries)
1. Dave Royer, Portland, Ore. -- 292/292.75 (3)
2. John Thompson -- 292.75/274 (2)
3. Russell Shaffer, Klamath Falls, Ore. -- 241.25 (1)
Judges: Scott Riese and Bruce Hunt

SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (4 entries)
1. Mark Scarborough -- 479.5 (4)
2. Dave Denison, Keizer, Ore. -- 427 (3)
3. Russell Shaffer -- 358.5 (2)
4. Gordon Rea -- 246.5 (1)
Judges: John Leidle and Bruce Hunt

EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (5 entries)
1. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash. -- 508.5 (5)
2. Tim Wescott, Oregon City, Ore. -- 504. (4)
3. Pat Johnston, Boise, Idaho -- 502 (3)
4. John Thompson -- 496 (2)
5. Fred Underwood, West Linn, Ore. -- 483.5
Judges: John Leidle and Bruce Hunt

ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (4 entries)
1. Fred Underwood -- 495 (4)
2. Mark Scarborough -- 494 (3)
3. Mike Massey -- 470 (2)
4. Mike Hazel -- 464 (1)
Judges: Steve Helmick and John Thompson

EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (9 entries)
1. Paul Walker, Deer Park, Wash. -- 604.5 (13.5)
2. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash. -- 578 (12)
3. Pat Johnston -- 529.5 (10.5)
4. Bruce Hunt -- 520 (9)
5. Mike Haverly -- 516.5
6. John Leidle -- 512.5
7. John Thompson -- 487
8. Tim Wescott -- 486
9. Steve Helmick -- 477
Judges: Scott Riese and Dave Royer

HIGH-PERFORMANCE 1/2-A COMBAT (7 entries)
1. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (7)
2. Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash. (6)
3. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore. (5)
4. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore. (2)
Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (2)
6. John Knoppi, Maple Valley, Wash.
Daniel Johnson, Rochester, Wash.

F2D FAST COMBAT (7 entries)
1. Robert Smith (7)
2. Jeff Rein (3)
Mike Hazel (3)
4. John Knoppi (1)
Daniel Johnson (1)
Gene Pape (1)
Buzz Wilson (1)

Fall Follies/Chehalis Cup No. 4 Combat report

Chehalis Cup No. 4 was held at Salem as part of the Fall Follies. The weather was perfect for combat. The site looked good thanks to “The Beavers” who had been feasting on the gophers. After three C-Cups, Robert Smith entered the final C-Cup leading by one point. Jeff Rein was back flying after recuperating from back surgery and a “C-extomy.”

Daniel Johnson was flying in his first combat contest. Originally he was going to fly just F2D fast, but with the help of Robert Smith he also flew his first Half A combat matches.

Traditionally the first match in Half A is between Gene and Robert. Keeping with tradition they would fly the first match of the day. Robert came out flying strong and won.

At the end of the day, it came down to Jeff and myself with clean records. He and I agreed to settle first place with one match. Jeff won with a kill. I would have to say a perfect kill. My streamer was wrapped completely around the prop and engine. As soon as he got the kill, it shut his engine down. Jeff won Half A, I had second and Mike Hazel third.

After lunch, seven flyers would fly four rounds of F2D Fast. After losing his first match, Robert came back to get three wins. Jeff and Mike would each get two wins. Gene, John, Daniel, and myself each had one win.

Perhaps the most-watched match was Daniel flying Mike. Daniel had a slower airplane, but was flying smart and made several good passes at Mike's streamer. Daniel did finish the contest in a four-way tie for third and took home the third place plaque.

At the end of the day, Robert had first place and with it became the first person to win the C-Cup three times. Congratulations Robert -- looks like Rufus (Robert's dog) will have his water bowl for another year.

With C-Cup 4, the combat season in the Northwest is over for another season. Throughout the season 11 different flyers competed in the C-Cup. Thanks to all who support combat in the Northwest.

Fall Follies photo gallery

Paul Walker heads to the handle for his winning Expert Precision Aerobatics flight, while Mike Haverly holds. Floyd Carter photo.

Steve Helmick tachs the engine on his Eagle, as John Thompson holds. Floyd Carter photo.

Mark Scarborough prepares to start the electric motor on his Profile Impact, as Pat Johnston assists. Floyd Carter photo.

Paul Walker prepares to launch Howard Rush's electric Impact. Floyd Carter photo.

John Thompson runs out the lines for an official flight, as judges Dave Royer (left) and Scott Riese watch, along with Don McClave (center). Floyd Carter photo.

A bad engine run led to the end of Gordon Rea's Redeemed Redux 2. Flying Lines photo.

John Knoppi heads to the handle for a 1/2-A Combat match while Robert Smith prepares to launch; in the background, Gene Pape starts his engine while Mike Hazel holds. Flying Lines photo.

John Knoppi (left) and Gene Pape fly an 1/2-A Combat match. Flying Lines photo.

Sunshine highlights the wires of Mike Hazel (left) and Jeff Rein (along with some guy wires in the background). Flying Lines photo.

Duke Johnson launches Daniel Johnson's 1/2-A Combat plane. Flying Lines photo.

Fall Follies winds up stunt, combat season on a sunny note

Oct. 4-5, 2014, Bill Riegel Field, Salem, Ore.

Fall Follies Results

Fall Follies/Chehalis Cup No. 4 Combat report

Fall Follies photo gallery

Flying Lines home page

Back to Aerobatics section

Back to Western Oregon Control Line Flyers page