2007 SW Regional Champs---aftermath

[sweetpea]

Well since I didn't fly I'll report on it.

1. I didn't get to fly because the CD had to change the date a few weeks back and I had family plans on the Sunday I could break. I chose to come out on Saturday and help out Team Vegas and do a little scribing.

2. Many changes in peoples gear this time around as guys are gearing up for the 2008 season and trying out new planes, motors and radios.

The morning hours brought some low temps (for Vegas) and a slight chill. By the time the flying started it had warmed up. There was only a slight breeze on the ground but when you saw the guys fly you could see the planes being pushed around by some massive winds at just above 200ft. Right around 12pm the winds ground level picked up. The pilots did a good job of crab landing and only a few pilots let the wind push them way out.

Remember the SW Regionals always enforces all of IMAC rules......so Sound, ACS and Pilot/Dash was enforced.



Basic-- Tight class here. We have 10yr old Jacob flying his 33% H9 Su-31, Joey Cass flying his 46% H9 Ultimate that crashed at this field in the Marsh only 4 weeks ago and Steve Dente flying his new 40% ZN Line. The race for first place in the Region is close between all 3 of these flyers. Last I saw Dente was in 3rd for the contest but 1st place in points for the Region and I believe he has to finish 3rd or better to take the region.

Sportsman---Here we were missing a few pilots....me, Murdoch, Portman, Howard, Cody but the excitement still is there. Todd Bridges is flying his 2.6m Comp Arf for the last time and doing quite well. Straight off his 2nd Place finish at the TAS he is leading the contest and will most likely end up as Regional champ if he finishes out strong.

New to IMAC is Rusty Fried. A life long pattern flyer he has jumped into IMAC with a 35% AW extra 260. He was sitting a comfortable 3rd place. Rusty has never flown an unknown before so he was studying hard last night I'm sure.

Also new to IMAC.....Kim Quente (hope I spelled it right Kim). He has several videos here of his 3-D skills. He hopes to make the TAS next year and be invited to the Freestyle. Kim has some major practice to do though to get there. He was near the bottom of the pack but improving every flight. Those straight lines are harder than they look aren't they!

Intermediate---We had near the top of the pack here flying his 3W Yak. Will this be his plane for next year? He wasn't saying. I suspect not though. I think DJ will have something new up his sleeve for the coming year. And fresh off his TAS win, Ryan Archer continues to dominate. Look out advanced flyers.

Advanced---Again Eric Powell was leading the SW region. Eric faltered a little at the TAS but still ended up in a respectable 5th place there. He has dominated the SW region all year and is looking forward to next years fun. Today he brought out the first Dalton 260...Old Red.

Unlimited-- Frank Kelley lost his 42% plane a week ago to some kind of electronic issue, whether it was radio or battery he was unsure as when the plane hit the ground it burned to nothing. He was borrowing The Godfather of Team Vegas, Warren Cross's 42% Aerotech 300. He was flying the first sequence when he lost engine control. It was stuck at about 3/4 or more. Frank flew the plane high and off to the side until it ran out of gas then landed it smoothly and perfectly on the center of the runway. All the time the winds were picking up and we had a stick 1/4 wind going. Many people came over to help (me included) and I found the problem. The servo box had broken free of the motor box. Nothing a little glue couldn't fix. We took the cowl/spinner/prop off and flipped the plane over. Glued it up, and buttoned it back up. I'd say 7mins flat on that repair job. Frank then had trouble firing the engine up but finally it gave in and he took off and finished his Unlimited sequence.

Next we saw Zak with a new plane. He was flying the H9 Extra 260. He said he really liked the plane and even with the stiff winds he was rock solid with that 35% plane. This plane is proving to be a winner in many pilots hands



Hopefully I didn't leave anyone out. It was great to see more of the SW again one last time. I will not be there on Sunday to report and I didn't bring my camera so I have no photos (sorry about that).

And I doubt that most of the SW competitors know or have the new 2008 sequences......so go out and practice today and you will be 1 day ahead on them!

[sweetpea]

Sorry for the title typo.........this is the 2007 SW Region Championship.

[DStJohn]

Thanks for the update, I just talked with my son (who is flying in basic) and he said they called the event due to the weather today. He had a good time even though he had landing gear problem on his 2.3M compy (note to self, get spare gear and carry them to out of town contests!)

[Judge]

Frank's situation with having to fly out the tank is a PERFECT example of why ALL places should have a kill switch.

[lazyboyflyer]

Thanks for the info Sam, 2008 will be fun!

[sweetpea]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Judge
	Frank's situation with having to fly out the tank is a PERFECT example of why ALL places should have a kill switch.

Infact I agree......Warren was looking around for Bob Ritchey......he wanted to buy 3 optical kills right then and there.

[pbrantuas]

Anyone have the final results?

Thanks.

[evan loves 3d]

The final results and some pics are here:


http://www.mini-iac.com/EditModule.a...iew&ItemId=323The