The largest airplane at the 2010 Regionals was the Jenny flown in Sport Scale by John Witt of Auburn, Wash. The electric-powered biplane has a seven-foot wingspan. Flying Lines photo.
Control-line model aviation enthusiasts came from 11 states and provinces to participate in the 39th annual Northwest Control-Line Regionals. It took place on a weekend of mild weather and light winds that made for fine flying. The competition was intense and the camaraderie of modelers was in evidence all across the seven flying circles filled with Aerobatics, combat, Racing, Speed, Scale and Navy Carrier. Numerous records were set in Carrier, Speed and Racing events. If there were records for beautiful airplanes, several of the Aerobatics planes would have been contenders (see the photos below).
Among the special events at this year's Regionals
was a very successful sale of the Wayne Spears magazine collection, donated
in memory of the late Wayne Spears by his wife, Louise. The sale raised
$379 for the Regionals expense treasury.
Field setup work began under the direction of Eugene Prop Spinners President Mike Denlis on Thursday at 10 a.m. Post-contest teardown was done by 7 p.m., again under Mike's direction. Mike organized a large crew of workers that got things done on a timely basis. Among the work crew were: Mike Massey, Brian Massey, Bill Badstubner, Tom Kopriva, Gene Pape, Jim Corbett, Mike Hazel, Mike Potter, Richard Entwhistle and Dwayne Graville.
The complex job of registration was directed again by Kathy Thompson with help from Barbara White and Annette Johnston. Excellent T-shirts and sweatshirts designed by Guy Laine were popular.
Thanks are due to numerous trophy sponsors as well as to prize donor/sponsors. Donating or sponsoring prizes were Eugene Toy & Hobby, Brodak Manufacturing, Don McClave, Jim Green and ZZ Prop. Trophy sponsors were Bill Heher, Howard Rush, Uncle Jimby, Paul Walker, Floyd Carter, Dave and Angela Gardner, Derek Moran, Dave Green, Mike MacCarthy, Arnold Nelson, Jerry Rocha and the Columbia Basin Control-Liners. Trophies also were sponsored in memory of Ens. Wolf Wileman and Wayne Spears.
The contest was almost trouble-free. No complaints or protests occurred. It was, however, a year for conflicts between fingers and propellers. We counted seven or eight cuts that required at least a Band-Aid. They're smiling now in the photo, but (from left) Mike Haverly, Bob Parker and Bob Duncan, all made trips to the emergency room for serious prop cuts suffered on Saturday. Haverly's was the most serious, with follow-up surgery expected. Both Haverly and Parker returned for more flying on Sunday, but Duncan's cut was to his flying hand, so he was unable to continue the competition. Flying Lines photo.
Elsewhere on the Flying Lines web site, see updated Northwest standings, Northwest records and Regionals records.
Jim Aron's Systrema was the Concours d'Elegance winner, chosen by a vote of the Precision Aerobatics pilots. Flying Lines photo.
May 28-29-30, Eugene, Ore.
Total individual contestants: 81 -- Event entries: 224
Combat Champion: Jeff Rein
Navy Carrier Champion: Burt Brokaw
Racing Champion: Todd Ryan
Scale Champion: John Wright
Speed Champion: Jerry Rocha
Stunt Champion: Burt Brokaw
Precision Aerobatics Concours 'd Elegance: Jim Aron (Systrema)
VINTAGE DIESEL COMBAT (10 entries)
1. Mel Lyne, Garibaldi Highlands, B.C. (10)
2. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (9)
3. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash. (8)
4. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (7)
5. Edmond Bridant, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash.
Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash.
Jim Schneider, Mountain House, Calif.
Ken Burdick, Kent, Wash.
Lee Letchworth, Rodeo, Calif.
Photo: Vintage Diesel Combat planes in the pits on
Sunday. Flying Lines photo.
80-MPH COMBAT (12)
1. Andrew Prior, Pittsburg, Calif.
2. Jeff Rein (11)
3. Robert Smith (10)
4. Don McKay (9)
5. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore.
Edmond Bridant
Buzz Wilson
Jim Green
Lee Letchworth
Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore.
Jim Schneider
Mel Lyne
HIGH-PERFORMANCE 1/2-A COMBAT (9)
1. Jeff Rein (9)
2. Robert Smith (8)
3. Don McKay (7)
4. Mel Lyne (6)
5. Edmond Bridant
Buzz Wilson
Gene Pape
Lee Letchworth
Andrew Prior
The photo pretty much says it all about Navy Carrier. Official Mike Potter views the flight through a gauge to make sure pilot Jim Schneider keeps his MO-1 from exceeding the angle allowed for slow flight. Flying Lines photo.
CLASS I NAVY CARRIER (2)
1. Burt Brokaw, Tucson, Ariz., 471.9 (Regionals record, eclipsing 2009
record of
Burt Brokaw, 453.83)
2. Jim Schneider, 440.2
CLASS II NAVY CARRIER (3)
1. Burt Brokaw, 448.3 (Regionals record, eclipsing 2003 record of Jim
Schneider, 439.68
2. Jim Schneider
3. Mike Potter, Auburn, Wash., 368.1 (1) (Northwest record, eclipsing
2009 record of Mike Potter, 354.05)
PROFILE NAVY CARRIER (4)
1. Burt Brokaw, 377.2 (Regionals record, eclipsing 2003 record of Jim
Schneider, 372.27
2. Mike Potter, 314.8 (3)
3. Mike Conner, Maple Ridge, B.C., 229.2 (2)
4. Jim Schneider, 100.3
Two other entrants did not fly
.15 NAVY CARRIER (4)
1. Eric Conley, Gardnerville, Nev., 269.3 (Regionals record, eclipsing
2009 record of Burt Brokaw, 266.2)
2. Burt Brokaw, 265,4
3. Jim Schneider, 261.9
4. Mike Potter, 221.6 (1)
Two other entrants did not fly
CLASS I/II NOSTALGIA NAVY CARRIER (2)
1. Bob Parker, Orting, Wash., 506 (2) (Regionals record and Northwest
record, eclipsing 2005 records of Dave Shrum, 323.44)
2. Burt Brokaw, 332.74
PROFILE NOSTALGIA NAVY CARRIER (5)
1. Burt Brokaw, 461.7 (Regionals record, eclipsing 2008 record of Jim
Schneider, 296.63 (new rules in effect))
2. Jim Schneider, 443.3
3. Mike Conner, 413.3 (3) (Northwest record, eclipsing 2005 record
of Dick Salter, 258.39 (new rules in effect))
4. Bob Parker, 408.8 (2)
5. Mike Potter, 401.4
MOUSE RACE CLASS I (3)
1. Todd Ryan, Spokane Valley, Wash., 5:03 (3) (Regionals record, eclipsing
2007 record of Paul Gibeault, 5:15.04) (Northwest record, eclipsing 2008
record of Will Naemura, 5:25.55) (Heat time, 2:36, is Northwest record,
eclipsing 2008 record of Will Naemura, 2:46.24)
2. Paul Gibeault, Leduc, Alberta, 5:07
3. Nitroholics Racing Team, Salem/Eugene, Ore., DNF (1)
NORTHWEST FLYING CLOWN RACE (4)
1. Mac Ryan, Burbank, Wash., 345 laps (4) (Northwest and Regionals record,
eclipsing 2007 records of Todd Ryan, 326 laps)
2. Todd Ryan, 278 (3)
3. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash., 235 (2)
4. Mike Conner, 224 (1)
NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (5)
1. Todd Ryan, 7:54 (5) (Northwest and Regionals record, eclipsing 2007
records of 8:01 of Mac Ryan)
2. Paul Gibeault, 8:11
3. Burt Brokaw, 8:49
4. Mark Scarborough, 45 laps (2)
5. Mac Ryan, 4:18 heat
NORTHWEST SUPER SPORT RACE (5)
1. Todd Ryan, 7:25 (5) (Heat of 3:31 is Northwest record; record was
vacant)
2. Nitroholics Racing Team, 7:49 (4)
3. Paul Gibeault, 8:16
4. Burt Brokaw, 3:48 heat
5. Hansen/Cameron Team, Portland, Ore., 4:41 heat
Another view of John Witt's Jenny in flight. Flying Lines photo.
DESIGNER SCALE (1)
1. Mike MacCarthy, Santa Rosa, Calif., 130 points
SPORT SCALE (2)
1. John Witt, Edmonds, Wash., 165.5 points (2)
2. John Wright, Long Beach, Calif., 121
PROFILE SCALE (2)
1. John Wright, 134.5 points
2. Mike MacCarthy, 130
Hey, these Speed pull tests take some real muscle ... or they can become a tug-of-war between competition teams. At left, Beaver State Combat Team members Gene Pape (left) and Mike Hazel pull on the D Speed plane held by Broadway Bod Busters (from left) Ken Burdick, Don McKay and Jeff Rein. The plane survived! Flying Lines photos.
1/2-A SPEED (3)
1. Jerry Rocha, Napa, Calif., 127.34 mph
2. Paul Gibeault, 94.61
3. Buzz Wilson, 82.09 (1)
Paul Gibeault waits at the handle as Ken Burdick (left) and Scott Newkirk start the engine on a speed plane. Flying Lines photo.
1/2-A PROTO SPEED (9)
1. Jerry Rocha, 105.32 mph
2. Karl Caldwell, Sparks, Nev., 95.40
3. Arnold Nelson, Napa, Calif., 92.58
4. Don McKay, 90.04 (6)
5. Jeff Rein, 82.86
6. Jim Rhoades, Salt Lake City, Utah, 79.1
7. Buzz Wilson, 77.27
8. Newkirk-Bennet Racing, 74.6
9. Ken Burdick, 73.47
A SPEED (1)
1. Paul Gibeault, 174.67 mph
B SPEED (0)
No entries flew.
D SPEED (2)
1. Ken Burdick, 172.76 mph (2)
2. Karl Caldwell, 152.61
JET SPEED (0)
No entries.
FORMULA 40 SPEED (2)
1. Paul Gibeault, 156.37 mph
2. Newkirk-Bennett Racing, 151.52 (1)
FAI SPEED (2)
1. Paul Gibeault, 168.83 mph
2. Jim Rhoades, 150.24
.21 SPORT SPEED (5)
1. Jerry Rocha, 155.11 mph
2. Arnold Nelson, 151.49
3. Karl Caldwell, 148.7
4. Newkirk-Bennett Racing, 140.86 (2)
5. Ken Burdick, attempt
.21 PROTO SPEED (1)
1. Jerry Rocha, 139.64 mph (National record)
NORTHWEST SPORT JET SPEED (2)
1. Dick Salter, 142.74 mph (2) (Northwest and Regionals record; record
was vacant)
2. Jim Rhoades, 142.31
F2D PROTO SPEED (3)
1. Don McKay, 99.42 mph (3) (Regionals record; record was vacant)
2. Jeff Rein, 97 (2)
3. Buzz Wilson, 93.98 (1)
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (20)
1. Paul Walker, Kent, Wash., 581.67 (30)
2. David Fitzgerald, Napa, Calif., 570
3. Brett Buck, Sunnyvale, Calif., 565.67
4. Howard Rush, Bellevue, Wash., 564 (25.5)
5. Ted Fancher, Foster City, Calif., 558.33
6. Jim Aron, El Cerrito, Calif., 547.67
7. Bruce Perry, Edmonton, Alberta, 547.33
8. Phil Granderson, Oakland, Calif., 546
9. Norm Whittle, Layton, Utah, 536.67
10. Pat Johnston, Boise, Idaho, 520.67
11. Pete Peterson, Tacoma, Wash., 519.67
12. Bruce Hunt, Salem, Ore., 517
13. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash., 512
14. Alan Resinger, Delta, B.C., 510.33
15. Randy Powell, Port Orchard, Wash., 504
16. Dan Rutherford, Bothell, Wash., 503.67
17. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash., 503
18. Jim Rhoades, 498.33
19. John Wright, 496
20. John Thompson, Eugene, Ore., 466.67
Judges: Don McClave, Randy Gifford, Mike Conner.
Photo: Some of the Precision Aerobatics airplanes lined up for Sunday morning's appearance judging. Flying Lines photo.
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (10)
1. Eric Rogers, San Francisco, Calif., 487.5
2. Marshall Palmer, Tustin, Calif., 480
3. Burt Brokaw, 470
4. Richard Walbridge, Fresno, Calif., 466.5
5. Derek Moran, Goleta, Calif., 466
6. Keith Varley, Vancouver, B.C. 452.5
7. Dave McCheyne, Delta, B.C., 441
8. Mark Scarborough, 436.5
9. Lanny Shorts, Truckee, Calif., 436
10. James Goss, San Jose, Calif., 407.5
Judges: Pete Peterson, John Leidle
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (8)
1. Richard Entwhistle, Scappose, Ore., 413 (8)
2. Brian Massey, Madera, Calif., 400
3. Geoff Christianson, Portland, Ore., 382.5 (6)
4. Mike Massey, Cottage Grove, Ore., 379.5 (5)
5. Norman Gayer, Fresno, Calif., 372.5
6. Mike Denlis, Springfield, Ore., 366.5
7. Russell Shaffer, Klamath Falls, Ore., 340
8. John Witt, 308
Judges: Scott Riese, Leo Mehl
BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (6)
1. Robert Ladd, Milwaukie, Ore., 206.5 (6)
2. James Harper, Portland, Ore., 204 (5)
3. John Castle, Dayton, Ore., 200 (4)
4. Glen Little, Vancouver, B.C., 167 (3)
5. Paul Bedford, Maple Ridge, B.C., 146
6. Jack Mulinix, Lynnwood, Wash., 131.5
Judges: Scott Riese, Leo Mehl
CLASSIC STUNT (17)
1. Ted Fancher, 551
2. Bruce Hunt, Salem, Ore., 541 (16)
3. Alan Resinger, 531 (15)
4. Pat Johnston, 520 (14)
5. Pete Peterson, 512
6. Jim Aron, 510.5
7. John Leidle, 490
8. Mike Haverly, 475.5
9. Mark Scarborough, 474.5
10. John Thompson, 473.5
11. Burt Brokaw, 473
12. Lanny Shorts, 469
13. Bob Duncan, 446.5
14. James Goss, 431
15. Bob Emmett, Sequim, Wash., 403.5
16. Mike Denlis, 387.5
17. Bryan Carr, Calgary, Alberta, 331
Judges: Paul Walker, Randi Gifford
Photo: Some of the Classic Stunt planes during Saturday's event. Flying Lines photo.
OLD-TIME STUNT (15)
1. Jim Aron, 285.25
2. Burt Brokaw, 280.25
3. James Goss, 279.63
4. Dan Rutherford, 278.38 (12)
5. John Wright, 274.88
6. Jim Rhoades, 269.5
7. Keith Varley, 269
8. Bob Duncan, 266
9. Bob Emmett, 250.25
10. Mike Conner, 247
11. Lanny Shorts, 238.63
12. Bob Parker, 230
13. Russell Shaffer, 184
14. Paul Bedford, 93.25
15. Mark Hansen, Portland, Ore., 53
Judges: Leo Mehl, Alan Resinger.
SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (9)
1. Derek Moran, 470.5
2. Lanny Shorts, 459.5
3. Burt Brokaw, 459
4. Bob Duncan, 455
5. Mark Scarborough, 443.5
6. Dave Royer, Portland, Ore., 438
7. James Goss, 418.5
8. Geoff Christianson, 408.5
9. Robert Moseley, Missoula, Mont., 26
Judges: Alan Resinger, Richard Walbridge
EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (8)
1. Norm Whittle, 530.1
2. Jim Rhoades, 517.5
3. Dan Rutherford, 505 (6)
4. Pat Johnston, 504.5 (5)
5. John Wright, 502
6. Mike Haverly, 496.5
7. Keith Varley, 473.5
8. Dave McCheyne, 466
Judges: Alan Resinger, Richard Walbridge
Bob Duncan launches Jim Rhoades' Old-Time Stunt plane. Flying Lines photo.
Left photo: A hawk watches from above as John Wright's Old-Time Stunt Plane makes an official flight. Right photo: Old-Time Stunt judges (from left) Leo Mehl, Alan Resinger, joined by Randi Gifford. Randi drove out from Iowa to attend the Regionals. Flying Lines photo.
Two very nice planes by Jim Aron for Saturday's events, Feno at left for Classic and Circle King 2 at right. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: Very nice Imitation profile by Bob Duncan. Right photo: Excellent-flying Pathfinder Two designed and built by Gordon Delaney, flown by Jim Rhoades. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: Paul Walker's electric Impact XS always gets a lot of close scrutiny from the other fliers. Right photo: Randy Powell (left) and Paul Walker discuss the finer points of aerobatics, with Randy's Slider in the foreground. Flying Lines photos.
Appearance judging is a time for lots of photos. Bruce Perry (left) and Leo Mehl photograph Ted Fancher with his Ruffy, seen close up in right photo. Flying Lines photo.
With the pits full up, lots of planes await on the sidelines for their round to come up during Saturday's Classic/Profile flying and PA practice. Flying Lines photo.
Left photo: Pete Peterson's fabulous Saturn. Right photo: Bob Emmett's beautiful Thunderbird. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: A nice Super Chief by Jim Goss. Right photo: World champion David Fitzgerald's Thunder Gazer. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: A couple of proto speed planes, one acting as a chair for a Scottie. Right photo: Two more nice protos in the Broadway Bod Busters speed pit. Flying Lines photo
Scott Newkirk prepares to launch a speed plane for Paul Gibeault. Flying Lines photo.
Left photo: Keith Varley prepares his Jamison Special for Old-Time Stunt. Right photo: Rich Walbridge weighs his Spitfire while Richard Entwhistle records the data. Flying Lines photos.
Phil Granderson's Zealot. Flying Lines photos.
Left photo: Rich Walbridge's Spitfire. Right photo: Detail of Zealot tail art. Flying Lines photo.
Left photo: Record setting Ryan Clown Racer, turned 345 laps in 15-minute feature. Right photo: Mark Scarborough with Northwest Sport Race plane. Todd Ryan photos.
Racing drew a small but enthusiastic entry. Left photo: Team Ryan (Mac, left, and Todd) holding their record-setting Northwest Sport Racer, with timer Bruce Duncan showing the stopwatch. Right photo: NWSR teams after the final: From left, Mark Hansen, Mark Scarborough, Paul Gibeault, Jim Cameron, Mac and Todd Ryan, John Thompson, Burt Brokaw. Photos provided by Todd Ryan.
Left photo: Northwest Super Sport participants, from left: Mac and Todd Ryan, Mark Hansen, Burt Brokaw, Mike Hazel, Paul Gibeault. Right photo: Mouse Race finalists (from left) Mac and Todd Ryan, Paul Gibeault, John Thompson, Mike Hazel. Photos provided by Todd Ryan.
Jeff Rein (left) and Jim Green duke it out in Combat. Dwayne Graville photo.
Vintage Diesel Combat action on Sunday. Dwayne Graville photo.
By Gene Pape, Combat event director
From my view as the event director,
combat at the 2010 NW Regionals was a huge success.
We flew both High Performance 1/2A and 80 mph events using double elimination complete on Saturday, and finished the planned four qualifying rounds plus the resulting semifinals and finals of Vintage Diesel before 3: 45 on Sunday.
The level of competition was very high in all events, and to competition flowed smoothly both days thanks to help from Gary Harris, Tom Kopriva, and Dave LaFever.
There were fewer mid air collisions than normal, fewer line tangles than normal, and no flyaways at all. There were several great matches in each event. As luck would have it, there were three of them in a row during the time a friend of mine dropped by to see what control line flying is all about. He was very impressed.
Photo of Combat pits by Dwayne Graville.
Congratulations to Jeff Rein, the winner of the High Performance 1/2A event and overall Combat Champion. Congratulations to Andy Prior who joined us from California for the first time and won the 80 MPH event. Congratulations to Mel Lyne who was the only flier in any combat event this year to go undefeated on the way to winning the Vintage Diesel event.
Again, my thanks to all of the competitors for being ready to fly when their matches came up and willing to help as needed.
By Mike Potter, Navy Carrier director
This year Navy Carrier event had only 6 entries but put up more than 40 flights in near perfect weather. Burt Brokaw was the Navy Carrier champion this year. Burt set new Northwest Regionals records in Class I, Class II,
Profile and Profile Nostalgia. Eric Conley set a new standard in 15. Bob Parker upped the bar in Nostalgia class I&II combined. Mike Conner came down from the frozen north in Canada to set a new record in Profile Nostalgia.I was able to increase my Northwest record set last year in Class II.
All in all it was the usual well run Northwest Regionals we have all the fortune to be able to enjoy thanks to the efforts of John Thompson and Mike Hazel and all of the support crew that helps make it the success it is.
By Dave Green, Regionals Racing director
By Mike Hazel, Speed event director
Entry level was a bit lighter at the speed circle for the 2010 edition
of the NW Regionals. Weather was slightly cool on Friday, but Saturday was
pretty nice. This year Jerry Rocha was the overall speed champion,
by virtue of placing first in all of his events. He also set a new
.21 Proto record, which was recently vacated with an increase of line size.
Paul Gibeault was only one point behind in the overall speed category.
Here are some miscellaneous notes and highlights:
1/2 A Proto Speed continues to be one of the most popular events, this
year with 9 entries. And get this....every entrant posted a score!
Jet turnout was very light, perhaps somewhat owing to the new standard fuel
and not much time to work with it. Both of the Sport Jet entries seemed
to work ok, but not without some tuning and trying. Dick Salter’s winning
speed becomes the new NW record. And no Fast jet entries??? Well, there’s
next year. Formula 40 was a good show, with Paul Gibeault again showing
that a K&B can be made to go fast. This year his 156+ score was a personal
best. In second place was the Newkirk-Bennett team with a very slick looking
assymetric job sporting Cyclon power. Their new bird shows a lot of
potential. This year was free of any major mishaps, no crashes or disastors,
good show guys!
Special thanks go to Scott Newkirk and Ron Bennett who stepped up to the
plate and helped with much of the officiation. Also plenty of thanks
to the Napa bunch who helped with lots of timing, along with Bill Husted
who also did more than his share of stopwatch duty. Thanks guys! See you
next year!
By Scott Riese, Stunt event director
Report to come.
By Pat Johnston and Mark Scarborough, Scale event directors
Report to come
Results of this contest were included in the Northwest Competition Standings.
This page was upated June 18, 2010