I had fun on Saturday judging. I judged Unlimited and Advanced and I was impressed with the level of talent in those two classes. Congratulations to Rich Sornberger for bringing the pain in Advanced! What an improvement from the last time I had seen him.

It was nice to see everyone again...and John....you will get there my friend. You already have the basics down. Now it's just some fine tuning. Great job this weekend.

Thank you Baco. It's funny... as I walked to get my plane I thought "man - that was a really good sequence" and then as I sat in my chair and watched the next guy fly there was a lot of "I was a little under on that roll" and "my line was a little off there" and "my radius didnt match on that one" so my 9.5 average for each maneuver went to 7 pretty fast as I thought about it... and they were all little things.. which is good... no major issues - just getting ahead of the plane a little more and planning inputs earlier... which... unfortunately is fixed by burning gas... I wish lunchtime foamy flying could help more... time to fly at the field is pretty limited with the little one, but it's all fun no matter how I fly

Awesome event put on by the guys at EVA! Thanks everyone! The weather was great and it was nice to see everyone again. Can't wait for the next contest, should be a good time.

Last year was my first IMAC season and I had a lot to learn, I was able to put it all together for this contest and will hopefully make a good run at it this year. A big thanks to everyone who offered advice and critique last season!

Originally Posted by wings19

Awesome event put on by the guys at EVA! Thanks everyone! The weather was great and it was nice to see everyone again. Can't wait for the next contest, should be a good time.

Last year was my first IMAC season and I had a lot to learn, I was able to put it all together for this contest and will hopefully make a good run at it this year. A big thanks to everyone who offered advice and critique last season!

Nick - like Nick Harwood? Dude. Your 1st year in IMAC was intermediate and you did great (7th in the region) and you flew phenonimal this weekend. What's the secret to flying soo well soo fast? Spill the beans

Yep, that's me, thanks John! Last year I was only able to hit the AZ contests and had a rough start, wasn't good at wind corrections, not able to think fast enough to add correct rudder in time through different orientations, flew too small/too close/rushed etc... I burned lots of fuel over the summer practicing those items and finished 5th at the Shootout. Now on to this year...

As for starting in intermediate I figured I'd challenge myself a little a start in the middle even if I came in last every time. I used to fly heli's pretty seriously so my left thumb is pretty active I flew a bit of IAC too so I understand the aerodynamics which I think helps a lot. Other than that, I don't know, I just do it. It's about burning fuel and knowing your airplane IMO. I still have a lot to learn though, I try to be like a sponge at contests to pick up what I can.

I saw one of your sequences and thought you flew nice lines. I think you'll be hanging with us in intermediate in no time.

Originally Posted by wings19

Yep, that's me, thanks John! Last year I was only able to hit the AZ contests and had a rough start, wasn't good at wind corrections, not able to think fast enough to add correct rudder in time through different orientations, flew too small/too close/rushed etc... I burned lots of fuel over the summer practicing those items and finished 5th at the Shootout. Now on to this year...

As for starting in intermediate I figured I'd challenge myself a little a start in the middle even if I came in last every time. I used to fly heli's pretty seriously so my left thumb is pretty active I flew a bit of IAC too so I understand the aerodynamics which I think helps a lot. Other than that, I don't know, I just do it. It's about burning fuel and knowing your airplane IMO. I still have a lot to learn though, I try to be like a sponge at contests to pick up what I can.

I saw one of your sequences and thought you flew nice lines. I think you'll be hanging with us in intermediate in no time.

Man - I sure hear that "burn lots of gas" stuff a lot I wish I heard more "lots of simulator time after the baby goes down" but I have yet to hear that as the "smoking gun"

By left thumb you mean throttle right - I make sure to never make that thing move left or right cause everytime I do - bad things happen

If you consider inadvertent spins in a skylane - I have some real IAC experience also

Thanks for the complement, I have lots of people helping me, and for the amount I actually get to fly I think I am progressing pretty well. Hope to see you at Florence!

I can't wait to compete again soon. Maybe with a little help from my friend John...that may just happen!

Originally Posted by mbacosa

I can't wait to compete again soon. Maybe with a little help from my friend John...that may just happen!

John, I was one of the judges on your second round in the afternoon. I can tell you MOST pilots, not you, flew too close to the judges! Almost all drifted towards the deadline on the right side doing the 135 degree push going into the spin. Then would have to veer about 30 degrees back out setting up for the spin. Basically they weren't compensating for the wind. Then coming into the spin the wind would once again push the plane towards the deadline.

It was a long stressful judging session for me and Dean Bird. We both had to immediately go fly our second rounds of advanced. I can hardly even remember flying that round. I was totally rum dumb at that point.

Rich

Originally Posted by mbacosa

I can't wait to compete again soon. Maybe with a little help from my friend John...that may just happen!

Mike, is it true that you are building a Dalton Yak?

I'm hoping we get some nice enough weather here so I can practice enough to make it to the Cactus Classic.

any pictures?

I snapped a couple pics while there.

Originally Posted by plane

John, I was one of the judges on your second round in the afternoon. I can tell you MOST pilots, not you, flew too close to the judges! Almost all drifted towards the deadline on the right side doing the 135 degree push going into the spin. Then would have to veer about 30 degrees back out setting up for the spin. Basically they weren't compensating for the wind. Then coming into the spin the wind would once again push the plane towards the deadline.

It was a long stressful judging session for me and Dean Bird. We both had to immediately go fly our second rounds of advanced. I can hardly even remember flying that round. I was totally rum dumb at that point.

Rich

That was my worst flight of the contest - sorry you had to watch that

I do fly in close, but it's because my eyes stink (even corrected) and if I get too far out I have no clue what it is doing and have to guess at timiing (why my hammers stink)... but I usually work my way out and never in (afraid of the deadline and the dreaded DQ)

It is true Jim. I'm going to do a full build thread. The kit looks great btw!

Originally Posted by flatspinjim

Mike, is it true that you are building a Dalton Yak?

I'm hoping we get some nice enough weather here so I can practice enough to make it to the Cactus Classic.