Fall Fun

Fly 2008

The MVRC Fall Fun Fly held on Saturday, September 13, brought out some very good flying by a great bunch of people in rather inclement weather.  The winds were very light out of the east, almost calm at times.  However the mist and later rain, caused some trouble for us and we actually had to cancel a couple of events later on.  We had 12 flying in expert class and two in the novice class.  Ken and Robb flew their aircraft flawlessly through a series of graded maneuvers including takeoff, a roll, a loop, and a textbook landing on the runway without touching grass.  The second event for them was a 20 second climb followed by a engine-idles glide back to a spot marked on the runway.  Ken was only about 9 feet from the spot, winning the event.

Twelve guys flew in the expert class and demonstrated some exquisite flying skills all day.  The bomb drop event went off with everybody getting some scored hits but nobody getting the surprise bonus points by dropping an egg in the red tub.  The poker hand contest presented a surprise outcome with six flyers scoring the maximum points by getting a straight; A, K, Q, J, 10.  Usually only one or two contestants ever get this right but in the Fall Fun Fly either a lot of practicing was done beforehand, the flying skills have become so much more improved, or the kind wind conditions influenced the outcome.  Remarkably, some contestants did it the hard way by getting the end cards, 10 and Ace, maybe the Queen in the middle, and then filled in the blanks.

A new event, modified roops, was a challenge and also gave the flyers a chance to show their prowess.  A takeoff from the carrier deck, execute five loops, five rolls, then a touch and go followed by five more loops and rolls, and touchdown for time.  It was amazing how quickly this was done by the majority of the flyers with times ranging from just over a minute to a minute and a half being the standard.  Only one mishap during this event clouded the day just a bit when Larry E. found the ground too soon on the landing approach with his nice Fazer.  Maybe it will be ready for the spring event.

Unfortunately the day's flying had to be called off early due to more rain and a windy cold front moving through.   We don't know for sure if this was because the contest director was ahead in points just then and it was a good time to call it a day?  Anyway the prizes were shared and there were enough to go around a couple of times at least.

Thanks also to Brian B. who provided fair and impartial judging with his keen eyesight and years of experience.  It was much appreciated to have him performing this service and we want to see him back flying again next time as well.

I want to thank all the folks who came to make this a fun event and for all the willing and helpful hands where ever they were needed.  Keep next spring's fun fly in mind and let's do it all over again.

Donald Roemhildt

Some of the stalwart competitors on a somewhat gray and rainy day.	Randy P, Larry E, and Brian B
Impartial and observant judge.	No wonder he couldn't tell left from right,
	His shoes were mismatched.

"Maybe next time I'll try flying barefoot.."