2006 NATS Wrapup! WGeffon's Take

[LeadingEdge]

Article written by: Wayne Geffon



The weekend prior to the 2006 IMAC Nationals I travelled to Larry Arseneau's field to get some practice in. Frank and Jason Noll met us there to do the same thing. We started early, charged at lunch and then flew till dark. I think we all got in 7 to 10 flights that day. On Sunday, Larry and I were the only ones at the field and by 1:00pm, we had both burned about 3 gallons of gas practicing. We left the field and made our way to Muncie arriving there around 7:00 pm. There were several people already there practicing.

Monday morning we started flying around 8:00am. I put in 4 flights before noon and decided to just relax the remainder of the day. I tore the entire airplane down and made sure everything was ready to go for the start of the contest Tuesday morning. I have been flying a borrowed plane since losing my Dalton 260 earlier this year and I have to give a huge thank you to Larry Arseneau for loaning me his Carden 260 until my new plane is ready to fly.

We had a pilots meeting Monday night to go over contest details and get the Unknown sequence we'd all be flying first thing Tuesday. It was nice to see everyone who made the trip to the Nats. Some people I hadnt seen since last years contest.

We awoke Tuesday to rain. The contest was delayed twice as we all were watching the radar. I think we finally started flying around 11:00am. The ceilings were low and some of us flew in some light rain but for the most part, once we got started we didnt stop. Unlimited and Advanced class flew on one flying site and Intermediate and Sportsman flew on another. We had gotten word that there was a pretty bad Mid-Air between a Sportsman Pilot and and Intermediate pilot early on day one. It turns out one of my buddies, Bruce Kern, was the Sportsman pilot who lost his plane. Tony Fandino was the other pilot involved but was able to continue the contest with a backup plane.

Flying finished up around 6:00pm Tuesday night. A 4th of July BBQ dinner was provided to us so we all met to talk about the day, eat and wait for the Unknowns to be handed out for the next morning. Scores were posted later that night and several of us stood over them looking. I found myself in 13th place after day one. I wasnt thrilled but, not surprised either. There was less than 100 points between where I was (13th) and 4th place. Knowing that no sequences had been dropped yet, I knew things would change up dramatically by the end of the next day. My phone rang till late with people calling who hadnt seen the scores. Mark Jorgensen was nice enough to print out sheets for me so I didnt have to try and remember anything as I was talking to people.

Wednesday morning was much better weather wise. Especially if you like 90 degree x-winds between 15 and 25mph. We were all just happy that there was no rain at this point. I watched some of the flying that day and while people were having to fight the wind I was amazed at how well everyone was flying. There was no doubt as to why the scores in Unlimited were so close for so many of us. Jason Noll was definately making it look easy with his new Krill Katana as was Kurt Koelling Flying his new Carden 260. David Moser, Ivan Kristensen and Frank Noll were also putting some really nice rounds in. I also watched most of the Advanced guys fly and Steven Hamilton was definatly in a groove with Kenny Willis and Ryan Gonsoulin (who is shorter than me) close behind. I can tell you, none of us in Unlimited are looking forward to these guys moving up.

Scores were posted that night and I had moved up to 7th. I was happy with that knowing that I had definately flown better that day then the first.

Thursday was more of the same with cross winds and great flying by pretty much everyone. We flew all day finishing up around 4:00pm. We had a Banquet that night and the finalists who would fly Friday were announced. The Banquet was great because we could finally spend some time with our buddies who were flying at the other field. Some great raffle prizes were handed out and to everyone's surprise, Will Berninger did not win anything.. The food was great as was the company.

Friday morning we awoke to perfect flying weather. Bright blue skies and finally, NO WIND! The flying finished up early and there was a small break before Freestyle got started. I judged the Freestyle round and saw some awesome flying from all four competitors. The awards were announced shortly after freestyle and I found myself finishing in 10th place. Jason Noll was the Unlimited winner. Steven Hamilton was 1st in Advanced. Pedro Jordan was 1st in Intermediate and Kevin Cole was first in Sportsman. Kyle Woyshnis wound up walking away with the Freestyle trophy.

All in all, the 2006 IMAC Nationals were a great time. The flying was definitely at a much higher level than you will find at any local contest. Everyone steps up their game and puts in a lot of time and effort to make the contest what it is.

My hat goes off to all the Judges, Scribes, and Volunteers and especially to the Jorgensen's for making the 2006 Imac Nationals one to remember.

See you all in 2007!

[Boulder]

Nice write-up Wayne, sounds like a great time, maybe someday...

[Wayne]

http://www.thestarpress.com/services...ral/index.html

Cool video article about the Nats.

[Mike Bargman]

Nice write-up Wayne! Next year I'll maybe head down there with you guys.

[Wayne]

If you do Mike, look out all you Sportsman pilots.

[madmax]

Great writeup Wayne! Thanks for the contribution. We have a bunch of photos on the way C/O Dan et al. Anyone have the final scores to post?

[Boulder]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wayne
	http://www.thestarpress.com/services...ral/index.html Cool video article about the Nats.

Great article on David, I sure wish I could have gotten involved when I was young, it might have saved me from some of the mistakes I made growing up.

[50%plane]

Great article Wayne!

Did anyone get any vids of the Freestyles?

[Ryans Rebel]

Thanks for the article Wayne.

[Cracky]

Thanks for the article Wayne. I was looking through the pics and who did you find that was shorter than you???

[Wayne]

Thats Ryans Rebel.
(Ryan Gonsoulin)

[JeremyHolt]

Should have left your Hat on Ryan.. could have made a few inches on him but still would come up SHORT