After a motivational sausage sandwich for all (thanks to master chef Alex Gibbs!) a field of seven took to the course, with some keen observers in the pilot’s box. The course consisted of a centre master turnaround post and four posts about ten metres away to be turned around in order (and thanks to Neil for the setup!). Unlike last year, where there was a strong wind causing aircraft to weather-cock, the weather was very suitable if a little cool. The field was lovely and green, albeit a little bumpy.
Greg was an early scratching as a prop dug-in. The out and back became quite addictive to “fly” and to watch. Some pilots were too ambitious with carrying straight-line speed into a tight turn and ended up rolling a little digging a wing in and coming to a momentary halt, or disappearing into the distance (or arrestor grass) before getting traction to turn. A few caught a wing on the turning post, coming to a halt or going around the pole in circles, and ended up having to quickly run out and reposition aircraft back from the pole (no one had reverse thrust – thought for next time!). Some tail-dragger’s tried bursts of throttle at the turn to give the rudder more effectiveness, but for all aircraft types the winning technique appeared to be a constant moderate speed and wide “racing” turns well clear of the posts – guess we all eventually learned something from those F1 drivers eh? Some bumpy surface and variable grass drag made throttle control very important.
Overall it was a lot of fun for all to do and to watch as well. It certainly improved the fine throttle and rudder work for all of the pilots. There was a thought that tricycle undercarriages would have a clear advantage but if you look at the results below it was very close: Overall Don + Kookaburra were fastest, with Neil + Super Stik close on the tail by three seconds. I’m looking forward to the next one! Cheers, Bill L.
RESULTS
- Tail Draggers:
- Neil, Super Stik (run 2), 1:12
- Neil, Super Stik (run 1), 1:20
- Dave Barwick, Carbon Cub, 1:50
- Stuart, Ugly Stik, 2:21
- Alex Gibbs, Turbo Timber, 2:30
- Tricycle:
- Don, Kookaburra (run 2), 1:08
- Bill, Tecnam, 1:29
