Sunday morning at the Regionals means Expert and Advanced Precision Aerobatics appearance judging. Rich Walbridge (left) and Don McClave examine Gordan Delaney's plane. Dean Rea photo.
That was the comment of one of the host club's workers as the West's most complex and diverse control-line model airplane contest wrapped up on the Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend 2012. Forty-two separate events had been successfully completed, finishing early and without any major problems or mishaps. One hundred and thirty-two trophies had been offered, $1,500 worth of prizes claimed, and an unknown number in the hundreds of flights had been made.
Besides that, the weather, which had been ominous for several days before the contest, was temperate: No rain, not much wind, and reasonable temperatures.
All in all, another successful Regionals. Needless to say, planning already is under way for an even better contest on Memorial Day Weekend of 2013.
Attendance was the approximately the same as last year, with 82 competitors registering and 77 actually flying.
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 6 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, Tom Kopriva, Gene Pape, Jim Corbett, Mike Hazel, Dave LaFever, Dave Green, Gordon Rea, and quite a few contestants who pitched in at various times. The complex job of registration was directed again by Kathy Thompson with help from Barbara White, who also was the hard-working chief stunt tabulator, and Annette Johnston. Commemorative shirts featured the Jester stunt plane flown by Regionals contestant Bruce Perry.
Thanks are due to numerous trophy sponsors as well as to prize donor/sponsors. Donating or sponsoring prizes were Eugene Toy & Hobby, Brodak Manufacturing and Mike Conner. A silent auction to raise money for the Regionals organization sold a Ruffy Classic Stunt plane built by Don McClave and a Navy Carrier kit donated by John Lickley. Trophies were sponsored by Jim Aron, Burt Brokaw, Karl Caldwell, Mike Conner, Don Chandler, Eric Conley, Dave & Angela Gardner, Dave Green, the Northwest Fireballs, Jim Rhoades, Howard Rush, Reno & Sparks Aeromodelers, Paul Walker, In Memory of Wayne Spears and by one anonymous donor. Thanks also to the Eugene Airport staff for their assistance once again in helping make the Regionals a success.
The 2012 Regionals marked the successful return of AMA Fast Combat to the schedule, and also the return of Scale entries.
Gordan Delaney of Layton, Utah, won the coveted Concours d' Elegance award for the contestants' favorite Precision Aerobatics airplane.
Elsewhere on the Flying Lines web site, see updated Northwest standings, Northwest records and Regionals records.
Gordan Delaney's USA-1 was the Concours d'Elegance winner, chosen by a ballot of the pilots and judges. Many of the Precision Aerobatics planes received votes, requiring a lot of tie-breaking efforts -- and proving the high quality of many of the planes. Power is by a PA .61. Flying Lines photo.
Combat Champion: Jeff Rein
Navy Carrier Champion: Burt Brokaw
Racing Champion: Paul Gibeault
Scale Champion: Don Chandler
Speed Champion: Jerry Rocha
Stunt Champion: Heman Lee
Precision Aerobatics Concours 'd Elegance: Gordan Delaney
AMA FAST COMBAT (Single elimination) (7 entries)
1. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore., 3-0 (7)
2. Mel Lyne, Garibaldi Highlands, B.C., 2-1 (6)
3. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash., 1-1 (5)
4. Lee Letchworth, Rodeo, Calif., 1-1
5. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash., 0-1
Buzz Wilson, Belfair, Wash., 0-1
Robert Smith, Roy, Wash., 0-1
80-MPH COMBAT (Double elimination) (7 entries)
1. Jeff Rein, 5-1 (7)
2. Robert Smith, 4-2 (6)
3. Buzz Wilson, 2-2 (5)
4. Jim Green, Bellevue, Wash., 1-2 (2)
Lee Letchworth, 1-2
6. Don McKay, 0-2
Mel Lyne, 0-2
Half-A Combat planes do battle on Saturday. Jim Corbett photo.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE 1/2-A COMBAT (Double elimination) (8 entries)
1. Jeff Rein, 5-0 (8)
2. Gene Pape, 4-2 (7)
3. Jim Green, 3-2 (6)
4. Robert Smith, 2-2 (5)
5. Don McKay, 1-2
6. Buzz Wilson, 0-2
Lee Letchworth, 0-2
VINTAGE DIESEL COMBAT (7 rounds) (8 entries)
1. Don McKay (8)
2. Robert Smith (7)
3. Mel Lyne (6)
4. Jeff Rein (5)
5. Lee Letchworth
Jim Green
Ken Burdick, Kent, Wash.
Buzz Wilson
Burt Brokaw's Class I MO-1 makes its slow flight. Flying Lines photo.
CLASS I NAVY CARRIER (3 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, Tucson, Ariz., 466.5
Two other entries did not fly
CLASS II NAVY CARRIER (3 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 504.5 (Regionals record, eclipsing 2011 record of Burt Brokaw, 464.1)
2. Eric Conley, Gardnerville, Nev., 417.6
One other entry did not fly
PROFILE NAVY CARRIER (6 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 380.3
2. Eric Conley, 366.8
3. Mike Conner, Maple Ridge, B.C., 225.1 (4)
4. Lloyd Marohl, Tacoma, Wash., 177.7 (3)
5. Mike Potter, Auburn, Wash., attempt
One other entry did not fly
.15 NAVY CARRIER (3 entries)
1. Eric Conley, 289.5
2. Mike Conner, 76.4 (2)
3. Burt Brokaw, 70
CLASS I/II NOSTALGIA NAVY CARRIER (2 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 588.7
2. Bob Parker, Orting, Wash., 515.7 (1)
The MO-1 hits the deck for a 100-point landing. Flying Lines photo.
PROFILE NOSTALGIA NAVY CARRIER (6 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 439.9
2. Bob Parker, 432.6 (4)
3. Mike Conner, 408.6 (3)
4. Rich Salter, Tenino, Wash., 361.6 (2)
5. Dick Salter, Tenino, Wash., 224.4
One other entry did not fly
NORTHWEST SPORT 40 NAVY CARRIER (11 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 207.3 (Establishes Regionals record; old record vacated by rule change) (10)
2. Ron Anderson, Vancouver, Wash., 188.9 (9)
3. Mike Potter, 182.9 (8)
4. Dick Salter, 164.4 (7)
5. Mike Conner, 105.7
6. Lloyd Marohl, 76.6
7. Russell Shaffer, Klamath Falls, Ore., 69.8
8. Jeff Rein, 52.7
9. Eric Conley, attempt
Mark Hansen, Portland, Ore., attempt
Racing pilots in action, from left: Ken Burdick, Paul Gibeault, Todd Ryan. Dean Rea photo.
MOUSE RACE CLASS I (3 entries)
1. Paul Gibeault, Leduc, Alberta, 5:21.97
2. Dianne Gibeault, Leduc, Alberta, 51 laps
3. Bruce Duncan, Langley, B.C., 3:13.97 heat (1)
NORTHWEST FLYING CLOWN RACE (3 entries)
1. Mac Ryan, Burbank, Wash., 290 laps (2)
2. Allen Hoffman, Magalia, Calif., 219 laps
One other entry did not fly.
NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (5 entries)
1. Mac Ryan, 7:55.87 (4)
2. Paul Gibeault, 8:09.39
3. Burt Brokaw, 97 laps
4. Todd Ryan, Spokane Valley, Wash., 4:05 heat (1)
One other entry did not fly
NORTHWEST SUPER SPORT RACE (4 entries)
1. Paul Gibeault, 7:44.69
2. Mac Ryan, 7:52.99 (2)
3. Dave Shrum, Roseburg, Ore., 28 laps heat (1)
One other entry did not fly.
Scale judges Pat Johnston (left) and Mark Scarborough examine the entries during Saturday static judging. Flying Lines entry.
PRECISION SCALE (1 entry)
1. Don Chandler, Red Bluff, Calif., Ercoupe, 102 points
SPORT SCALE (2 entries)
1. Floyd Carter, Eugene, Ore., Zero, 157 points (2)
2. Don Chandler, Hurricane, 73 points
PROFILE SCALE (1 entry)
1. Don Chandler, Citabria, 110 points
Speed director Mike Hazel (left) consults with Grand Champion Jerry Rocha. Dean Rea photo.
1/2-A SPEED (3 entries)
1. Jerry Rocha, Napa, Calif., 98 mph
2. Paul Gibeault, 95.7
One other entry did not fly.
1/2-A PROTO SPEED (7 entries)
1. Jerry Rocha, 104.69 mph
2. Karl Caldwell, Sparks, Nev., 94.55
3. Paul Gibeault, 93.69
4. Ken Burdick, 85.09 (4)
5. Scott Newkirk, 81.84
6. Jim Rhoades, Salt Lake City, Utah, 76.18
One other entry did not fly.
A SPEED (3 entries)
No entries flew.
B SPEED (1 entry)
No entries flew
D SPEED (4 entries)
1. Ken Burdick, 163.87 mph (3)
2. Loren Howard, Ariel, Wash., 161.88 (2)
3. Karl Caldwell, 159.51
One other entry did not fly.
JET SPEED (1 entry)
No entry flew.
NORTHWEST SPORT JET SPEED (6 entries)
1. Dick Salter, 138.14 mph (3)
2. Rich Salter, attempt (1)
Jim Booker, La Grande, Ore., attempt (1)
Three other entries did not fly.
Photo: One of the jet speed entries with a classy spider-web decoration. Jim Corbett photo.
FORMULA 40 SPEED (3 entries)
1. Paul Gibeault, 160.15 mph
Two other entries did not fly.
FAI SPEED (3 entries)
1. Jim Booker, 172.15 mph (2)
2. Paul Gibeault, 162.69
One other entry did not fly.
.21 SPORT SPEED (6 entries)
1. Jerry Rocha, 153.13 mph
2. Ken Burdick, 147.66 (3)
3. Scott Newkirk, 143.6 (2)
4. Karl Caldwell, two attempts
Two other entries did not fly.
.21 PROTO SPEED (3 entries)
1. Jerry Rocha, 139.91 mph
Two other entries did not fly.
F2D PROTO SPEED (3 entries)
1. Jerry Rocha, 110.83 mph (Regionals record, eclipsing Don McKay's 99.42 of 2010)
2. Ken Burdick, 95.96 (1) (Establishes Norrthwest record, which was vacant because of rule change)
One other entry did not score.
Weigh-in for Classic Stunt: Scott Riese holds up his Nobler while Gordon Rea attaches the scales with the help of Mike Denlis (right). Dean Rea photo.
EXPERT PRECISION AEROBATICS (18 entries)
1. Paul Walker, Kent, Wash., 599 (25.5)
2. David Fitzgerald, Napa, Calif., 596.33
3. Chris Cox, Delta, B.C., 590 (22.5)
4. Bruce Perry, Edmonton, Alberta, 574.33
5. Gordan Delaney, Layton, Utah, 571.33
6. Jim Aron, El Cerrito, Calif., 568
7. Norm Whittle, Layton, Utah, 566.67
8. Phil Granderson, Oakland, Calif., 557.33
9. Igor Panchenko, Winnetka, Calif., 549
10. Mike Haverly, Auburn, Wash., 541.33
11. Alan Resinger, Delta, B.C., 540.33
12. Paul Pomposo, Sebastopol, Calif., 519.67
13. Richard Walbridge, Fresno, Calif., 519
14. Pat Johnston, Boise, Idaho, 514.33
15. John Leidle, Kirkland, Wash., 511.67
16. Keith Varley, Vancouver, B.C., 496.33
17. Leo Mehl, Portland, Ore., 467
One other entry did not fly
Judges: Don McClave, Bruce Hunt and Mike Conner.
Igor Panchenko's beautiful Russian-designed stunter, flown in Expert Precision Aerobatics, was one of several contenders for the Concours d'Elegance award. Flying Lines photo.
ADVANCED PRECISION AEROBATICS (12 entries)
1. Lanny Shorts, Truckee, Calif., 498.5
2. Kestas Dvarvydis, Los Angeles, Calif., 497.5
3. Heman Lee, Sacramento, Calif., 489.5
4. Dane Covey, Tacoma, Wash., 489 (9)
5. Dave McCheyne, Delta, B.C., 488.5
6. Richard Entwhistle, Scappoose, Ore., 488
7. Brian Massey, Madera, Calif., 483.5
8. Mark Scarborough, Pullman, Wash., 474
9. Mike Massey, Cottage Grove, Ore., 471
10. Brian Moore, Elk Grove, Calif., 467
11. Bob Duncan, Fair Oaks, Calif., 464.5
12. Floyd Carter, Eugene, Ore., 428
Judges: Scott Riese and Dave Royer
INTERMEDIATE PRECISION AEROBATICS (7 entries)
1.Gordon Rea, Eugene, Ore., 467.5 (7)
2. Bryan Carr, Calgary, Alberta, 465.5
3. Tom Strom, Olympia, Wash., 449.5 (5)
4. Russell Shaffer, Klamath Falls, Ore., 437 (4)
5. James Harper, Portland, Ore., 431.5
6. Tim Wescott, Oregon City, Ore., 392.5
7. Glenn Little, Vancouver, B.C., 267
Judges: Mike Haverly and Jim Rhoades
BEGINNER PRECISION AEROBATICS (2 entries)
1. Doug Knoyle, Salem, Ore., 260 (2)
2. Robert Ladd, Portland, Ore., 192.5 (1)
Judges: Mike Haverly and Jim Rhoades
Roy DeCamara's elegant Cavalier, flown in Classic Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
CLASSIC STUNT (12 entries)
1. Gordan Delaney, 570.5
2. Norm Whittle, 548.5
3. Scott Riese, Portland, Ore., 531.5 (10)
4. John Leidle, 520 (9)
5. Jim Aron, 520.5
6. Paul Pomposo, 518.5
7. Alan Resinger, 514
8. Dane Covey, 478.5
9. Mark Scarborough., 471.5
10. Roy DeCamara, Vancouver, Wash., 467
11. Brian Massey, 444
12. Mike Haverly, 440.5
Judges: Don McClave and Richard Walbridge
NOSTALGIA 30 STUNT (3 entries)
1. Brian Moore, 476.5
2. Lanny Shorts, 471.5
3. Heman Lee, 453
Judges: Don McClave and Richard Walbridge
Floyd Carter's spark-ignition-powered Madman, flown in Old-Time Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
OLD-TIME STUNT (8 entries)
1. Burt Brokaw, 305
2. Dave Royer, Portland, Ore., 301 (7)
3. Jim Aron, 299.5
4. Bob Duncan, 289.5
5. Roy DeCamara, 286
6. Floyd Carter, 277.25
7. Russell Shaffer, 255.75
8. Mike Conner, 246.5
Judges: Pat Johnston and Alan Resinger
EXPERT PROFILE STUNT (6 entries)
1. Scott Riese, 482 (4)
2. Pat Johnston, 479.5 (3)
3. Bruce Hunt, Salem, Ore., 474 (2)
4. Paul Pomposo, 457
Two other entries did not fly.
Judges: John Leidle and David Fitzgerald
SPORTSMAN PROFILE STUNT (15 entries)
1. Heman Lee, 455.5
2. Dane Covey, 455 (13)
3. Richard Entwhistle, 448 (12)
4. Mike Massey, 446.5 (11)
5. Tom Strom, 444.5
6. Mark Scarborough, 437
7. Brian Moore,, 433.5
8. Gordon Rea, 426.5
9. Bryan Carr, 425.5
10. James Harper, 425
11. Bob Duncan, 408.5
12. Tim Wescott, 389.5
13. Lanny Shorts, 388
14. Russell Shaffer, 384.5
One other entry did not fly.
Judges: Scott Riese and Mike Haverly
Wow! What a weekend!
Combat started on Friday this year with the return of Fast Combat to the NW Regionals. We flew the event single elimination as this was to be a trial to determine if we should include this as a regular event. I can't remember the last time I flew single elimination combat. It just seemed wrong for those who lost their first match to be done for the day. Mel Lyne eliminated Jeff Rein in the first round making it easier for the rest of us. Mel eventually ended up second after losing to yours truly in the final. The event was flown without any problems paving the way for fast to be a regular event n the future.
The first event on Saturday was 1/2A. After being eliminated in the first round of fast, Jeff Rein flew without a loss to win the event. Lee Letchworth came up from California to provide some of the best flying of the day, even though his record doesn't show it. He was the only one not flying Jeff Dawson's Sonic Chickens. The event ended with an engine to engine midair between Jim Green and Robert Smith. The match resulted in a tie. The collision ripped the whole front end off of both Chickens. Third place was then determined by spitting glow plugs. Jim Green won by a huge margin.
After a break for lunch, We proceeded to fly 80 mph. Robert Smith got into the final rounds of this event with no losses only to be beaten twice in a row by Jeff Rein and end up second.
On Sunday morning we had the pilots meeting for Vintage Diesel Combat, and everyone decided we should fly 7 rounds to allow all of the competitors to fly against one another. This made for a rather long day of combat with the final outcome determined by the very last match. Being the sportsman that he is, Mel Lyne provided the equipment for Lee Letchworth to participate. At the end of the day, the only match left was between Mel and Lee. By this time, Lee had no chance of placing in the top 3. If Mel won the match, he would win the event. Lee offered to forfeit the match giving Mel the win. Mel wanted to fly. The match ended in a midair that destroyed two of Mel's planes with Lee the winner. This meant Mel ended up in third place with combat monster Don McKay the winner and Robert Smith second.
Many thanks to Dave LaFever, Tom Kopriva, and Jim Corbett who spent the weekend judging. A special thanks to Jeff Rein who filled in as event director when I was flying.
Mike Denlis, president of the host club, the Eugene Prop Spinners, explains the finer points of Leo Mehl's Vector 40 to a television news crew. Jim Corbett photo.
Dave Shrum shows off his Northwest Super Sport Race plane. Jim Corbett photo.
Jim Rhoades suffered an unusual injury -- a badly pulled bicep muscle -- while flying his stunt plane. Here he shows off the bruise to the trophy celebration crowd, while receiving the "Sympathy Bear" award. Jim Corbett photo.
Broadway Bod Busters and friends with their trophies. From left: Dianne and Paul Gibeault, Ken Burdick, Jeff Rein, Don McKay, Bob Smith, Buzz Wilson, Lee Letchworth. Jim Corbett photo.
Heavy lifting on the Navy Carrier circle: Setting up the deck on Friday morning. Workers from left are Richard Entwhistle (at the pickkup), Jim Corbett, Tom Kopriva, Mike Denlis and Eric Conley. Dean Rea photo.
David Fitzgerald (left) and Phil Granderson visit in the stunt pits. Dean Rea photo.
Dianne Gibeault cleans up after a race. Jim Corbett photo.
Mike Massey transports his planes in a fancy box that rides in a pickup bed. Dean Rea photo.
Left photo: Brian Massey with his Profile plane. Jim Corbett photo. Right photo: Mike Haverly with his Chizler for Classic Stunt. Dean Rea photo.
Bob Duncan has upped the ante on stunt's electic-power craze. He has a twin! Dean Rea photo
Lloyd Marohl discusses the finer points of Navy Carrier. Dean Rea photo.
Planes awaiting action in the Navy Carrier pits. Dean Rea photo.
Combat planes in action in the 80mph Combat event. Dean Rea photo.
Combat planes for three events await action in one flier's pit area. Dean Rea photo.
Don McClave chats with Paul Pomposo (left) as Keith Varley listens in. Dean Rea photo.
The 1/2-A Combat pilots, from left: Gene Pape, Buzz Wilson, Jim Green, Don McKay, Jeff Rein, Mel Lyne Bob Smith and Lee Letchworth. Dean Rea photo.
Jim Aron with his Feno Classic Stunt plane. Dean Rea photo.
Buzz Wilson holds while Bob Smith starts his 1/2-A Combat engine. Dean Rea photo.
Eek! Mice! Yep, a lineup of Class I Mouse Race planes, all of the Streaker design. Dean Rea photo.
Bruce Hunt is back in stunt action after a hiatus. Here he gets in a practice flight with his Profile Cardinal. Dean Rea photo.
Burt Brokaw pits a racer. Dean Rea photo.
Registration workers Kathy Thompson (left) and Barbara White. Dean Rea photo.
Speed planes come in all shapes and sizes. Dean Rea photo.
Floyd Carter preps his Zero for a Sport Scale flight. He captured first place in the event with aerobatics and retracting landing gear. Dean Rea photo.
Don Chandler's Profile Scale Citabria Flying Lines photo.
Don Chandler's Sport Scale Hurricane. Flying Lines photo.
Rich Walbridge's Diva (Phil Granderson design). Flying Lines photo.
Detail of the Diva rudder. Flying Lines photo.
Igor Panchenko tachs the engine on his stunter as Kestas Dvarvydis holds. Flying Lines photo.
Combat officials Tom Kopriva (left) and Gene Pape. Flying Lines photo.
Dave Royer's Humongous for Old-Time Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
Bob Duncan's Jamison Special for Old-Time Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
Don Chandler's Ercoupe for Precision Scale. Flying Lines photo.
David Fitzgerald's Thunder Gazer for Precision Aerobatics received several Concours votes. Flying Lines photo.
Alan Resinger's electric Crossfire. Flying Lines photo.
Elroy is the name of Phil Granderson's latest electric Precision Aerobatics masterpiece. Flying Lines photo.
Roy DeCamara's Barnstormer for Old-Time Stunt. Flying Lines photo.
Mike Haverly's electric Sultan. Flying Lines photo.
Tom Strom's Vector 40. Flying Lines photo.
Dave McCheyne looks over the Advanced Precision Aerobatics pits. Flying Lines photo.
Stunt score tabulation in process. From left, Tim Wescott and Annette Johnston, with Barbara White in the background. Flying Lines photo.
Paul Pomposo's Discover This received Concours votes. Flying Lines photo.
Bryan Carr's nice Profile stunter. Flying Lines photo.
Mark Scarborough's elecric Profile stunter. Flying Lines photo.
Brian Moore preps his Geiseke Nobler. Flying Lines photo.
Somewhat battered planes in the Vintage Diesel Combat pits. Flying Lines photo.
Intensity at the Navy Carrier deck as Burt Brokaw starts his Class I MO-1. Flying Lines photo.
Lanny Shorts' scratch-built Impact. Flying Lines photo.
Dave McCheyne's warbird-style stunter. Flying Lines photo.
Heman Lee took Stunt Grand Champion honors with this 1/2-A-powered stunter, taking first place in Sportsman Profile Stunt and third in Advanced Precision Aerobatics. Flying Lines photo.
Prop Spinners members Jim Corbett (left) and Tom Kopriva, roll up the speed net as the work of tearing down the site begins. Dean Rea photo.
Results of this contest are included in the Northwest Competition Standings.
This page was upated June 13, 2012