This is also posted in the SA column, .....


  2013 Truro Scale Aerobatics

There were 15 pilots flying in the 2013 Truro Scale Aerobatics
contest, one of the better years we've been beating ourselves at this.
They were: Alan Coolen, Ben Lann,
Brandon Smith, Chris Garrett, Dan Thibaudl, Dayle Smith, Kelly Doary,
Mike Notley, Paul Sinnis, Sandy McInnis, Andrew Caldwell, Jim Lloyd and
Matt Clarke. These pilots flew a grand total of 355 judged sequences.

Andrew Caldwell won the Basic class.     There were 3 pilots in Basic. The
winning order was: (1) Andrew Caldwell, (2) Dayle Smith and (3) Jim
Lloyd. They flew 5 known sequences (3 rounds). The scores ranged from a
low of 2,204.9 to a high of 4,000 (a range of 1,795.1 points).

Ben Lann won the Sportsman class  . There were 5 pilots in Sportsman. The
winning order was: (1) Ben Lann, (2) Brandon Smith, (3) Chris Garrett,
(4) Matt Clarke and (5) Dan Thibauld. They flew 12 known sequences (6
rounds). The scores ranged from a low of 3,118.4 to a high of 8,000 (a
range of 4,881.6 points).

Kelly Doary won the Intermediate class  . There were 5 pilots in
Intermediate. The winning order was: (1) Kelly Doary, (2) Alan Coolen,
(3) Paul Sinnis, (4) Mike Notley and (5) Sandy McInnis. They flew 12
known sequences (6 rounds). The scores ranged from a low of 5,105.2 to a
high of 8,000 (a range of 2,894.8 points).

The tightest competition was for 2nd place in the Sportsman class, with
only 254.5 points difference between Brandon Smith and Chris Garrett.

We were pleased that there were no major crashes in the event, although landing
gear did seem to play a role. Mike Notely landed short in the high wind
on Saturday, tearing out the gear in his new plane; No fear, the NG Mafia pulled an
"all nighter" and Mike was back with a vengance on Sunday, his gear absolutely
non the less for wear. Sandy McInnis de-laminated his gear while practising on Friday
...splinted the gear with ply and epoxy and was there Saturday.
Half way through his second round his engine quit and he dead-sticked about
5 feet short in the long grass - "re-de-laminating"
the gear. With the able assistance of Mike Notely, they were able to re-glue the gear,
wrap it with thin glass cloth soaked in CA, then resin....(these gear guys
stick together!!)  . Sandy made the third round on Saturday, and the first 2 on
Sunday until a dumb thumb "think I'll go around/no I can land/no I'd better
go around/no I can land..." these never end well do they  ? That pretty much
finalized the gear...oh the splint held up, it was the other side he destroyed!!

Chris Garrett and able wife Kathy are to be commended for running
a fine contest. It was their first time at it, but at the end of the day,
everyone gathered around to congratulate them....WELL DONE GUYS.