The top three finishers in Expert Precision Aerobatics at the 31st annual Fall Follies flew variations of Paul Walker designs: From left: Chris Cox (third place; his Defiant is based on Walker's Predator), Howard Rush (first, flying an Impact) and Paul Walker himself (second, flying his 2017 P-47). Flying Lines photo.

Fall Follies brings stunt season to a close

Oct. 7-8, 2017, Bill Riegel Model Airpark, Salem, Ore.

The 31st annual Fall Follies lived up to its reputation as a delightful finish to the long Northwest stunt season, with a good turnout of fliers enjoying a weekend of friendly competition and a tasty Sunday barbecue. The 2017 contest also marked the return of Racing to the Follies, with an encouraging turnout of teams participating in Northwest Sport Race on Saturday afternoon.

A wet field greeted the fliers on Saturday morning, but no significant rain actually fell during the contest. Wind was mild but shifty on Saturday, increasing to a bit blustery in the afternoon. Sunday was partly sunny with very light and steady breezes -- perfect stunt flying weather.

A few Ringmasters were around the venue for possible participation in the annual global Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon, but the fliers concentrated on Follies competition and only one Ringmaster actually flew -- that was Pat Chewning's Old-Time Stunt entry.

Howard Rush captured the Follies Expert Precision Aerobatics for the second year in a row, topping a strong field with a narrow victory over Paul Walker and Chris Cox. Dane Covey topped Advanced PA for the second straight year. In Saturday's preliminary events, Dave Royer topped Old-Time Stunt (another repeat victory), Pat Johnston won Classic, Covey topped Sportsman Profile (another repeat!) and Fred Underwood captured the Expert Profile title.

The Follies is the contest at which the annual Don McClave Vintage Stunt trophy is awarded to the top scorer in the Flying Lines Northwest standings in combined Old-Time and Classic Stunt. And, speaking of repeat victories, Mike Haverly was awarded the trophy for the second year in a row after a strong season flying his Chizler in Classic Stunt. Previous winners have been Bruce Hunt (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010), Scott Riese (2005), Pat Johnston (2007) and Pete Peterson (2011, 2013), Alan Resinger and John Thompson (2012, tie), John Thompson (2014) and Dave Royer (2015). The trophy is sponsored by Flying Lines.

Contest staff:
Field mowing: Mike Hazel
Field setup: Mike Hazel and Craig Bartlett
Registration: Barbara White
Pull-testing: Steve Helmick and John Thompson
Tabulation: Barbara White
Sunday barbecue: Mike Hazel
Contest director: Mike Hazel
Thanks also to many others who helped out with various chores and details!
Sponsor: Western Oregon Control-Line Flyers

Fall Follies Results

NW Standings points in parentheses

CLASSIC STUNT (5 entries)
1. Pat Johnston, Boise, Idaho, Shark 35, electric -- 540.5 (5)
2. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash., Chizler, Ro-Jett .40 -- 531.5 (4)
3. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash., Olympus, Merco .61SS -- 520.5 (3)
4. Dane Covey, Tacoma, Wash., Profile Nobler, electric -- 501 (2)
5. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore., Blackbird, Aero Tiger .36 -- 443.5
Judges: Jerry Eichten and Tim Wescott

OLD-TIME STUNT (4 entries)
1. Dave Royer, 1949 Humongous, Merco .61 -- 253 (4)
2. John Thompson, Barnstormer, O.S. Max .25 -- 241 (3)
3. Pat Chewning, Beaverton, Ore., Ringmaster, O.S. .25LA -- 232.5 (2)
4. Russell Shaffer, Klamath Falls, Ore., Boxcar Chief, Fox .35 -- 110 (1)
Judges: Mike Haverly and Steve Helmick

SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (3 entries)
1. Dane Covey, Pathfinder, electric -- 483 (3)
2. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore., Corsair, Saito .40 4S -- 451.5 (2)
3. Russell Shaffer, No Name, O.S. .25LA -- 323 (1)
Judges: John Leidle and Steve Helmick

EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (4 entries)
1. Fred Underwood, West Linn, Ore., Shark S2, Cobra electric -- 539.5 (4)
2. Pat Johnston, Epiphany 557, electric -- 518 (3)
3. John Thompson, Scrub J, Evolution .36 -- 501 (2)
4. Jerry Eichten, Newberg, Ore., Pathfinder, O.S. 46, 490.5 (1)
Judges: John Leidle and Steve Helmick

BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (0 entries)

EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (9 entries)
1. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash., Impact, Plettenberg 20-16 electric -- 601 (13.5)
2. Paul Walker, Deer Park, Wash. P-47, Plettenberg 15-22 electric -- 595 (12)
3. Chris Cox, Delta, B.C., Defiant, Cobra 3520-14 electric -- 590 (10.5)
4. Pat Johnston, Bearcat 617, electric -- 547.5 (9)
5. Mike Haverly, Fifth Element, E-Flite 32/Igor timer -- 528
6. Fred Underwood, Shark S2, Cobra electric --524
7. John Leidle, Olympus, Merco .61SS -- 514.5
8. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash., AAE, E-Flite electric -- 510
9. John Thompson, Vector 40, O.S. .40LA -- 497
Judges: Bruce Hunt and Steve Helmick

NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (5 entries)
1. Mike Hazel, Artesian, O.S. LA .25-- 9:13 (5)
2. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore., Super Clown, ASP .25 -- 11:12 (4)
3. Doug Powers, Portland, Ore., Super Fly, O.S. LA .25 -- DQ (overrun) (3)
4. John Thompson, Super Clown, Fox .35 -- 6:26 heat (2)
5. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore., Super Fly, Fox .35 -- 7:15 heat

Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Control-Line Competition Standings.

Fall Follies photo gallery

Dave Royer's Magnum Plus in an Advanced Precision Aerobatics flight. Flying Lines photo.

Pat Johnston's Epiphany makes an Expert Profile Stunt flight. Flying Lines photo.

Howard Rush's Impact in the winning flight of Expert Precision Aerobatics. Flying Lines photo.

John Leidle's Olympus flies in Classic Stunt Flying Lines photo.

Classic Stunt judges Tim Wescott and Jerry Eichten (right) examine John Leidle's Classic Stunt plane as John (in yellow) and pitman Pat Johnston look on. Flying Lines photo.

Fred Underwood launches Pat Johnston's Epiphany for an Expert Profile Stunt flight. Flying Lines photo.

Action in the Precision Aerobatics pits. Paul Walker attaches lines to his P-47 while Pat Johnston services his Bearcat. Flying Lines photo.

Planes lined up in the Precison Aerobatics pits: Defiant, P-47, Fifth Element, Vector 40, AAE. Flying Lines photo.

Dave Royer signals judges that he's ready to start an advanced Precison Aerobatics flight, as Russell Shaffer holds the plane for launch ... Flying Lines photo.

... and the launch! Flying Lines photo.

Precision Aerobatics pits were busy: Dave Royer picks up his Magnum for a flight, while Dane Covey (left) watches, along with Russell Shaffer (behind Royer) and Mike Haverly. Flying Lines photo.

Mark Scarborough pilots his AAE as Expert Precison Aerobatics judges Bruce Hunt (left) and Steve Helmick watch. Flhying Lines photo.

Classic Stunt pit action: Pat Johnston changes the battery in his Shark 35 as Dane Covey watches. Flying Lines photo.

Chris Cox launches Howard Rush's Impact for the winning flight in Expert Precision Aerobatics. Flying Lines photo.

Pat Johnston's Bearcat. Flying Lines photo.

Mike Haverly's Fith Element. Flying Lines photo.

Profile planes lined up in the Saturday pits with Pat Johnston (left) and Jerry Eichten standing by. Flying Lines photo.

Another view of the pit area at Bill Riegel Model Airpark, as Profile Stunt judges Steve Helmick (left) and John Leidle (red cap) watch a flight. Flying Lines photo.

John Leidle at the handle of his Olympus in Classic Stunt on Saturday morning. Flying Lines photo.

John Leidle removes the battery from the engine before his flight as Pat Johnston holds. Flying Lines photo.

Russell Shaffer's Boxcar Chief was the most unusual of the Old-Time Stunt planes. Flying Lines photo.

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This page was upated Oct. 10, 2017