TAS – Preparation from an International Perspective

[rcdart]

Written by NormJB

Well what a year it has been for “Chrisbchips” and I. It is almost a year to the day that Chris discussed the possibility, with Ian Howard of Desert Aircraft Australia, of flying at TAS in 2007. Ian let Chris know what would be required and the goal was set for 2007.

During the December/January school holidays Chris spent his time building Comp Arf 260 3M number two which would be set up for IMAC sequence flying only. This was to be a backup model and as will become apparent later Ian Howard’s foresight to have this model built so early in the piece was our saving grace! More about that later.

The next big decision we had to make was which competitions we would attend. Obviously Chrisbchips would have liked to attend a comp every weekend but unfortunately my annual leave would not allow this to happen. Using the Australian Scale Aerobatics Association (ASAA) planned competitions as a guideline we were able to attend three competitions in Queensland – Toowoomba, Tin Can Bay and the Desert Aircraft Challenge in Coolum - one in Victoria – The Bendigo Masters in Bendigo - and one in New South Wales – Parkes during the 2007 competition prior to TAS. Dare I say “the trusty commodore has covered 40,000 in just over a year”.
Every Sunday morning at 7am ChrisB and I have packed up the trailer and set out to the practice field 45km from home to put in hours of sequence practice at Chris Gratton’s “Gratton Field” 10km from Rosewood. The number two model was not ready for the first competition of the year at Toowoomba but was flown with excellent results at Tin Can Bay, Bendigo and Parkes. I do not think that there was a sequence went by that ChrisB did not make some fine adjustment to the setup of the model and he was beginning to feel that it was setup to his satisfaction when disaster struck!!!!

On Sunday July 1st we decided to go back to catch up with mates at our home club LARCS and to practice there. ChrisB had flown a number of sequences, had allowed a mate to fly the model and was having a good time when he took off once more for another sequence practice session. When I stand behind him on the flight line he talks to me constantly and during the first sequence said to me “I do some of best sequence work here at LARCS”. He completed the first sequence and started the Known B for the DA Challenge. He pushed over the top of a humpty at 400 foot and the model went off the air – all we could do was watch (well not quite – there was a lot of yelling and screaming) as it spiralled nose first into the paddock!!!! Total write-off!!! The new competition model completed in January and fine-tuned every flight since maiden to near perfection but as yet no throws recorded!!!!
Full credit to ChrisB he was upset about the loss but during the week after the incident he worked hard from early morning till late at night (school Holidays again – I am sue they did not have so many school holidays when I was at school) upgrading the older Comp Arf 260 3M and completing the Comp Arf 260 2.6m freestyle model so that the following weekend he was once again ready to practice at Gratton.

It was now just 4 weeks to the Queensland DA Challenge and ChrisB had to have the sequence model set up from scratch and have the 2.6 Freestyle machine competitive for the Challenge. We also had to start planning for TAS – how were we going to get a 3M C-Arf 260 across to Tucson from Australia. Enter Steve Brodrick who took the project on to build two boxes – one would carry the fuse and the second the wings, elevators and rudder. We still did not know if ChrisB would meet the TAS entry criteria but could not delay these preparations till after the TAS pilots had been announced. Shane Lysaght did some digging for us and gave us some valuable information about how to get the equipment carried by QANTAS as sporting equipment. The boxes had to be made to fit these requirements ad had to be less than 32kg in weight with contents? No problem for Steve Brodrick – we sent him the information – dimensions of the aircraft and he has produced two excellent boxes for us.

ChrisB had a very successful DA Challenge and on the 15th August the list of successful pilots was published on the Desert Aircraft America website (www.desertaircraft.com) – Chrisbchips had made the grade!!! Great excitement and since the news became official we have been inundated with Email’s, phone calls, SMS messages, FG Private messages etc of congratulations and support.
Flights have been booked – accommodation has been booked and practice venue in Tucson has been arranged. Passports have been arranged, flu injections administered and more practice, practice and more practice. Mick Dakers (RCDART) has taken on the task of calling for Chrisb in Tucson – I am very relieved about this – not being a flier and having had to learn arresti I was not that confident of being able to perform on the flight line at this level of competition.

The other great news we heard was the Troy Brodrick had also made the TAS selection and he and Steve will be in Tucson with us.

The engines, fuel tanks, plumbing and batteries will be removed from the aircraft and sent via courier separately to Tucson – when we arrive in Tucson a day will be spent unpacking and reassembling the aircraft before heading off to the practice field.

We fly out of Brisbane vis QANTAS on Wednesday 26th September at 11am arriving in LA after a 13 hour flight at 6am on Wednesday morning – yip we arrive in LA before we have left Brisbane!!! We pick up the hire car from LA load up the aircraft boxes and drive to Tucson an 8 hour trip. Haven’t mentioned this before but Ian Howard (Howie) is flying with us as well and he has agreed to take his trusty SAT NAV with USA maps to help us get around. I am more concerned about driving a truck on the wrong side of the road – should be interesting.

After assembling the aircraft in Tucson at Desert Aircraft America we will set off to a secret location to practice – more about that location when we get there on the 27th. Chrisbchips has been warned about the different air at 3000 foot and is keen to find out just how much it will change the engine performance.

Am I a proud Dad – you bet your sweet *****y I am – here is a youngster who has set himself goals every year since he started flying at the age of 10 and has achieved those goals despite the challenges that have been thrown his way. He is very excited about TAS and is not sure what he will be up against – what he does know is he will be flying against the best in the world and to fly with the best in the world is in itself a honour.

We have so many people to thank for making this “dream come true” for ChrisB – we start at the top with Ian and Karen Howard of Desert Aircraft Australia, Dave Johnson Desert Aircraft America, Toy Traders Australia (Futaba), Composite ARF, Mick Dakers (RCDART) who has spent endless hours with ChrisB since the 1st July at the practice field encouraging him and restoring his confidence, Chris Gratton and Dave Garle from Gratton field who have made the field available for practice most weekends, LARCS and it’s members who have been very patient and given ChrisB free air to practice when he has flown there, Steve and Troy Brodrick for the time and effort in making the boxes, Jeremy Reinertsen (RH1NO) for the ignition kill switches, the ASAA and ALL it’s members in Australia – guys the support friendship and encouragement you have offered at competitions and via EMAIL, phone calls, Private Messages, etc has been fantastic.

It has been a huge journey so far and it is not over yet – we will keep this thread alive with updates and photo’s – I apologise if this has rambled on a bit but I thought we owe it to you all to let you now how attending the TAS has unfolded………..

[sprice50]

Awesome. This is a great article and I am sure you will be very successful. It's dedication like this that seperates all the top pilots from the rest.

Good luck to you both!!

[Uncle Brett]

Wow! Thanks Mick. What a great account of what it takes to qualify for the world's premier flying event. I think I can speak for the majority of us modelers in congratulating Chris on his accomplishments this year. We're all pulling for ya Chris, kick ass dude.

[rcdart]

Goodonya Brett, you going to get out there this year?

[RH1N0]

Great write-up Norm!

Yesterday was Fathers Day down under and Norm and Steve (ChrisB's and Troy's dads) get my vote for father of the year. You guys are inspirational in the dedication and support you provide to your sons and I can only hope that Sam and I will share such a strong bond as we grow up together.

Congratulations and best of luck at Tucson

[rcdart]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RH1N0
	Great write-up Norm! I can only hope that Sam and I will share such a strong bond as we grow up together.

I think that Sam has more chance of growing up than you do! But you are correct Jeremy, the level of support shown is unsurpassed.

Another thing that is not 100% clear in Norm's write up, is that all the plans, plane tickets, etc, etc are organised prior to confirmation list being published, unfortunately to mount an assult on this event, mid August is just a tad to late to start.

[chrisbchips]

Awesome!! front page!! I think this event is going to be well worth all preperation thats gone into it this year, and i can't wait! I'm not going across to kick anyones but this year but more for a good time!

Chris B.

[BIG STEVE]

Thanks for the nice words Jeremy but you will find you and Sam will grow up together the same as i did with my boys and all works out .
Another day in the shed and Troys plane boxes will be finished ready to be packed up for the big trip .
Iam leaving for US on saturday for work and will meet Troy on the 28th Sept in LA then we will meet the rest and practice some then go to the shoot out .

[andyt]

Thanks for the wright up Norm.
All of us back in Australia will be thinking of you Chris and wish you and all your support team the best of luck.
Andy

[excelpoint]

Great write up Norm. I know Chris will do us all proud at TAS no matter what the result.

[illusion]

Best of luck in the states mate,and congratulations on a fine show at Coolum.
Your Dad as we know is so proud of you,and no matter what happens in Tuscon that cant be topped.
Have fun and show em how we do it in OZ.

[Doc]

Thanks for that very interesting write up Norm. Mrs Doc and I are thrilled that ChrisB and Troy will be flying at the TAS this year, and applaud their individual hard work and the dedicated flyers, family and friends that have helped make it reality for them.