District News

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D1 |Salvatore Piu spiurc@comcast.net

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This year, 2020, D1 has decided not hold district championship selection due to Covid-19 creating a year of very limited contest opportunities and few pilots participating in only one or two contest events at most. Hopefully, our situation will vastly improve in 2021 !

As for me, thanks to a good friend finishing off the build project that I started with a handicap of not receiving a fully regularequipped kit, I finally got my Shinden flying this year. I had a few initial start-up issues that needed to be corrected to make the model consistently flight-worthy, that are now resolved, allowing me to fly it at each opportunity. Even though I found photos of this design being around since 2004, even with flying on a single prop, this model is still a highly competitive design: it’s all about pilot skills now! So far, this model flies great, and that is with minimal tweaking conducted so far. I suspect everyone in D1 is hoping for a better 2021 pattern-event season, as I know I am. I suggest our regular annual contest schedule from 2019 be used as guide to start planning events for 2021. I recognize that the beginning of 2021 may have similar covid-19 impacts that occurred in 2020: this should not be a reason to at least start tentative plans. In my opinion, 2021 scheduled events can be cancelled as the contest events approach their respective dates based on whatever the covid-19 situation is at that time. I’ll be soliciting D1 CD’s to plan for 2021 events soon, and may try to hold a video conference on this subject before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

One thing covid-19 did not impact: the need for pilots to renew their AMA, NSRCA, and local club memberships. Renewing the NSRCA membership can easily be done on line somewhere within the NSCRA web site, and keep a copy of the payment for your records.

The NSRCA board has been working on a new media format of the k-factor, using ISSUU. Demo versions are accessible on the web for the September 2020 https:// issuu.com/nsrca/docs/sep2020hd. This September 2020 edition also includes an imbedded video of the sportsman sequence: check it out! A link to the ISSUU media version will be added to the web site, and included in monthly email announcement of the monthly k-factor publication. Since there is a small monthly fee involved, the board is interested to get feedback from members if we should continue with this format, which can be saved in pdf format, or go back to pdf – only format. D1 members need to review this and send me feedback on keeping or ditching this new media format.

Maneuver complete, Sal Piu

D2 | Tim Pritchett 1417 Deer Forest Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707 | tjpritchett@aol.com

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I’ll try and keep this brief this month; I tend to write more volumetrically when I have less to say, it would seem. The KF article this month is being posted on Facebook, to avoid publication missing our last contest. If you like it there let me know, and I’ll keep posting them. I’ll also load up the last couple of years’ worth of articles in the ‘Files’ section for archiving purposes.

The second order of business is to announce a sabbatical I’ll be taking from the NSRCA BoD for a few months. No harm intended, but serving there has become wearisome, and burnout is beginning to set in. Plus, in full disclosure, the battles I’ve fought (and lost) don’t seem to align with everyone in D2, so I need some time to let the gear down, and make sure I’m not fighting windmills in my own mind. This announcement was made at the Charlotte Aeromodelers contest, and further discussions were had with active members privately, such that I don’t sense any imminent need to rethink my intention. I plan to rejoin in early 2021, certainly before we begin flying. Everything else, including KF articles, quarterly D2LT meetings, and certainly flying will continue as normal.

On the “New” front, I’ve been working with the US F3A Team a lot to get them in front of their supporters; that’s us. The

new F3A Team USA facebook group has been created, and if you haven’t joined, do so. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/977608459405940

Here will be all of the content we and the team can muster, mostly in photo and video format. The Team has agreed to be alert and responsive to questions and inquiries that come up there, as well as to post updates on their progress toward the WC. It should be an amazing event, and we hope that you can come. The NATS are the week after the WC’s so we hope to continue to cover that event as well. 2021 will be a banner year for Pattern Flying in the US.

Our last district event will be at our new venue in Aynor SC; Marvin M. will be hosting us. Green Sea has been a staple contest for many, many years and we’re sorry to see it go. But the club has dwindled to ~5 helicopter pilots, and they only clear the runway for our events. It’s with significant regret that we leave this legacy site, but we remain in good friendship with the guys there.

As the LT decided, this will be a winner take all Championship contest…No points this year; the highest placing NSRCA members will win the Championship for the year in their respective classes, and get the shirt! I’ll leave you with a few pics from Braxton to encourage you to come out and fly with us! Incidentally, Braxton has served another term on the NSRCA Sequence Guidelines Committee, and is now serving on the Sequence Development Committee. Please thank him for his diligent efforts to keep us flying for the next couple of years!

D3 | Position Open

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No Article Submitted

D4 | Scott McNickle P.O. Box 163 | Mt. Pleasant, OH 43939 nelson_jett@comcast.net | 740.769.7882

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Changes

This started out as a D4 season wrap-up but it was turning out dull, over long, turgid and stupid. So I hit ‘delete’ and started over. Sometimes you have to make changes.

The combined D4 Championships/Team USA Trials was the event of the year in D4, maybe in the whole country. It was a big change for us, going from the already exciting Finals to sharing the venue with the elite Pattern flyers in the country.

I was feeling a little intimidated at first, but as the event drew near the excitement built.

Feeling put out by having to fly on Site 3 and practice at Site 4 changed to a feeling that this was going to be a big deal. Not only would we be around the best pilots in the US, the D4 contest would host some flyers from other parts of the country, anxious to compete after having many of their home district contests cancelled. Bill Pritchett stepped up to organize the Team Trials and coordinated with Matt Finley to put a big event together in a relatively short time. We went from a twenty-something contestant District finale to a nearly 60 person event which went through changes several times a week leading up to the late September event.

The contest was one last chance to get the D4 group together. This barbed wire hula hoop of a year has kept the whole core group of D4 from being together all at once, and Mike and Joy Murphy were the last of the group to make an appearance. When we pulled into Site 4 on Friday and saw them there it felt like the Gang was back together.

Those of you who know the Murphys know they’re good people and steady supporters of our hobby. I liked Mike from the first time I met him because, despite being only a couple of years older than me, he reminded me of my grandfather…if my grandfather had been Black, that is.

A stocky little guy, bald, glasses, white facial hair, good natured and a model airplane guy.

The combination of moving and virusinduced caution had kept them from contests until the Championships, but here they were!

When the contest started we all struggled with the wind and struggled with long stints in the judges chair. In between we caught up with friends and generally enjoyed doing what we do.

On Saturday Joy’s niece Anna and her husband Matthew made the drive from their home in Tipton to visit and watch Mike fly. Turned out they got to watch Mike judge a lot, but by all accounts they enjoyed the afternoon.

We had our banquet in a big tent on Site 3, and at some point we noticed Mike and Joy were gone.

It turned out that after leaving the contest site, Matthew and Anna were stopped at the traffic light at the intersection of Muncie Bypass and McGalliard and were hit by a pickup truck whose driver apparently didn’t notice the light, or their car. Matthew was killed instantly, Anna somehow survived.

After we finished flying and judging and before the banquet on Saturday, a group of D4 people were gathered around Dave Johnstone’s tailgate having a beer. Laughing and telling stories on ourselves and feeling the glow of good friends doing something they love together, not knowing something terrible had happened just a few miles away.

When the group heard about it we did what you always do when someone you love has been stricken by tragedy and there’s nothing to be done. We had a moment of silence. We took up a collection to help with expenses. We sent condolences. And we went on.

It reminded me of a James Taylor song from when I was in college called “Soldiers” A short little song that I can’t forget. From memory:

“It was just after sunrise and down by the sea Out on the sand flats where nothing will grow Came drumming and footsteps like out of a dream Where the golden green waters come in.

Just nine lucky soldiers had come through the night Half of them wounded and barely alive Just nine out of twenty was a headed for home With eleven sad stories to tell.

I remember quite clearly when I got out of bed I said Oh, good morning what a beautiful day”

You never know when everything will change. You don’t get advance notice of huge changes. The world turns over in an instant, without warning. Be kind. Appreciate people. Be thankful for them. Love

D5 | Vicente Bortone vincebrc@gmail.com

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There are not more D5 contests this season. I got the following contest report from Joe Burzinski. Please read with detail because there is an important historic event in his report. Results of this contest can be viewed in the following link:

https://www.patternscoring. com/1a42d4bf-48d5-4a4b-be005984c79a1405

Tamarack Challenge 2020

The Flying Electrons hosted the 23rd annual Tamarack Challenge pattern contest on September 19th and 20th. We had 11 registered pilots from five states, including an 85 year old gentleman from Ohio and a young lady from Wisconsin who was flying in her very first pattern contest. Yes, that’s right…. her first contest. It’s hard to remember a recent pattern contest that wasn’t presented with some challenging weather conditions; however, it was the days leading up to the contest that were the most challenging. Several days of heavy rain made practice difficult, not to mention finding time to get the grass cut. Fortunately, we had a small break in the weather, the field was cut, and lines were painted just in time for the contest. Once contest day rolled around, we were rewarded with fair skies and 5-10 mph winds. Fortunately, there were no mishaps and all planes made it home safely.

and flew in his first pattern contest in Dallas, Texas in 1961. It’s hard to imagine with today’s advanced radios systems, but back when George was flying his first contest, control was limited to the rudder and throttle only. He must have been very good at it, considering he amassed more than 250 trophies over the years. Even at 85, George doesn’t appear to be slowing down. He flew in 14 contests last year. Wow!

As I mentioned earlier, we had a pattern newbie at our contest, 25-year old Jennifer Kimball from Delavan, WI. Jennifer is a fullscale pilot who dabbled in RC for a couple years and then decided she’d like to give pattern a try. Most people would test the pattern waters by flying in the Club or Sportsman classes, but not Jennifer. She jumped right into the top class (FAI),… the one flown at the world championships. Not only did she finish second in our contest, it was by a mere 28 points. That equates to about one score-able point on one maneuver across six flights… against one of the top pattern pilots in the US. Oh, and did I mention that she only had about 40 flights on a 2-meter pattern plane in preparation for the contest. Jennifer is probably the closest thing to a precision aerobatic savant as you can get. So much for the rest of us who toil for years trying to perfect our craft. Be sure to keep an eye on this gal as she competes on the world stage.

This contest would not have been possible without the help and cooperation of the Flying Electrons Board, my co-CD Mike Dorna, and several club volunteers. The flying field was in prime shape thanks to Bob Scrip, plus Steve Huelsbeck and Tom Jacobs took some awesome shots of the action.

Thanks guys – I couldn’t have done it without your help.

Joe Burzinski

This month I decide to call well know pattern pilots that I know since long ago. The idea is to ask them to give me an idea or technique that has been working well in for them in our hobby. This month, I am delighted to introduce Mr. Art Wagner article. Art modified the Accuity from electric to glow power. I think this is fantastic idea because it will help to expand the possibilities. Art just text me pictures and very brief explanation of each picture. The very first two photos show the basic installation and the built-out section for the nose ring.

A good side view of the extended nose ring section is shown here.

The following photos shows the balsa/ monokote pipe floor. Everything in the tunnel was fuel proofed with resin and monokote.

The engine is an OS 140, Karl Mueller header and two stroke ES pipe. The engine uses a Hyde soft mount.

If you have questions or need more detail let me know. I could put you in contact with Art.

D6 |Justin Wells 20811 Surrey Creek Ct. | Katy, TX 77450 832-356-6408 | justin@jtwells.com

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I’m glad to report D6 cranked out 2 more successful contests for the month of October. It’s been a trying year for all of us, I’m thankful for all those that supported these contests!

Brazos Valley Fall Pattern Classic –

Our 7th annual College Station contest hosted by Scott McHarg turned into a 1 day contest with big success, the weather was absolutely perfect and 10 pilots threw down for a day of pattern. A big thanks to Scott for hosting everyone! Here are the results (1-3)

Intermediate: 1. Matt Baccari

Advanced:

1. Michael Johncock 2. Todd Nolte 3. Heedo Yun

Masters:

1. Don Ramsey 2. Keven O’Connor 3. Gary Kropat

F3A / FAI:

1. Mark Hunt 2. Chuck Hochhalter 3. John Decker

Prop Nuts Pattern Contest –

Unfortunately hurricane Delta took its toll on our southern Louisiana friends which cancelled the Cajun NATS. Working quickly Allan Smith worked with Chuck Hochhalter and salvaged the dates for a quick contest in Crosby, Texas. With 20 pilots the contest showed 2020 that it can be defeated! Here are the results (1-3)

Sportsman: 1. Brian Lewis 2. Joel Garza

Advanced:

1. Michael Johncock 2. Todd Nolte 3. Justin Wells

Masters:

1. Allan Smith 2. Keven O’ Connor 3. Don Ramsey

F3A/FAI:

1. Mark Hunt 2. Paul Villarubia 3. Mark Mendoca

That’s it for the month of November, I look forward to working on our contest calendar for 2021 and hoping for a more successful season.

‘ Till Next Time, Justin

D7 - Dan Lipton nsrcad7dvp@gmail.com

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Hello District 7

Well, what little 2020 “season” we had is ending. All in all, by the time you read this, we will have one event remaining, in Riverside, CA, (on 11/21, 11/22) and 2 successful events at the Bear Mountain Flyers field in Arvin, and as well as a pattern “fly-in”. Kudos to Tony F. for making the September and October events happen under less than ideal circumstances to say the least. The season opened, back in February and March (seems like an eternity ago) with two great events in Arizona before all of the shelter-in-place orders went into effect. I am optimistic that 2021 will be better. To all of our contest directors out there, it is time to start planning for that. As always, I will assume the same events as we had on the books for 2020, for the same weekends as a starting point for the planning. (I will be communicating with the CDs on this subject in the coming weeks) If anybody has any ideas for anything different for 2021, that’d be great, too. There was some talk about perhaps a contest in Visalia, so if anybody is interested in making that happen, let me know.

FAI/F3A USA team trials: A district 7 perspective.

3 of our district 7 members travelled to Muncie for the team trials. 2 to compete for a spot on the team, Derek E. and Kirt C. , and our own Jon C to lead the judging effort while Jerry B. flew in Masters as part of the D4 Championship of the Muncie event. Derek took a some wonderful

pictures of the “D7 perspective”, and hopefully will provide a more detailed account for next month’s issue. Photo credits: Derek Emmett

The Planes arrive safely.

And who bumps into each other at the Muncie Airport?

And some post flying relaxation and celebration. Getting ready to fly the next round (photo credit: Ronald Brodersen) And the winners.

One last note. Please do not forget to renew your membership for 2021 on the NSRCA website. Thank you.

That’s all I have for this month. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Holiday!

Smooth flying, Dan.

D8 | Art Kelly 367 Golf View Drive | Medford, OR. 97504 541.905.2954 | afkelly25@gmail.com

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At about this time last year we were wrapping up our 2019 season. The championships had been completed and five worthy pilots were elevated to the esteemed positions of District Champions. Within a few weeks we all began to go over our aircraft for flaws (it wasn’t my thumbs)

or we began scrolling through websites for that special bird that would start ringing up 10’s in the 2020 season.

Where did that season go? In District 8 we managed to pull off two contests. The district contest was cancelled. Self quarantine became the newest expression in our vocabularies. It is gratifying to see that some districts were able to sustain fairly robust contests. But others were as challenged as were we in the Northwest. As we look around the country at countless fields of activity and hobbies there has been a significant decline in participation. We all need to recognize that this is a critical time for our hobby. Assuming that by next spring/summer we will be seeing a glimmer at the end of the tunnel, all our districts should be examining the questions “How can we reenergize this hobby that we enjoy so passionately? What can be done over the winter months to generate curiosity and an interest in r/c pilots to give this a try? It will not happen with a passive response. We all need to be proactive with ideas. Winter is the germination season. This is the season for cultivation.

During my career when I was told “we have a problem” my colleagues chided me because my response was always “no, we have an opportunity.” A trite and wellworn expression, but I believed it then and still do in my gray-hair-years. It’s too easy to say that we’ve tried this, that and the other thing before. But there are always new prospective pilot and new approaches. It’s time to use our imaginations to find those opportunities and launch 2021 with

excitement.

Canada | Paul Brine 25 Robertson St. | Fergus Ontario N1M3P7 519.787.5144 | pbrine@uoguelph.ca

The 2020 contest season is now finished and the outdoor flying season is drawing to a close as well. There will still be some nice days for flying yet although in this part of the country they are getting fewer and fewer.

Normally at this time of year we would be looking forward to flying in the great indoors for the next few months. At this point there is no information on whether or not any of the usual venues will be open and available for flying this fall and winter. No F3P contest dates have been confirmed for yet.

In Ontario the ability to hold events is limited at the moment. With a fall resurgence of covid19 case numbers, gathering sizes were capped province wide at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. This limitation does not affect businesses that are “staffed” so restaurants and banquet halls are not affected for now and continue to operate under the previous limits of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. As of mid October Toronto and Ottawa were further limited with closure of movie theatres, indoor dining, gyms and performance venues. Capacity limits are reduced to 10 people indoors for tours, real estate open houses and meeting and event spaces. These additional limits for Toronto and Ottawa will be in place for at least 28 days.

NSRCA membership renewals are now open for 2021 so don’t forget to renew. Also, if your MAAC membership is due don’t forget to renew by the first of the year. Now that we can renew for 3 years at a time it can sometimes be hard to remember if this is the year so pull out your MAAC card and check the expiry date.

This month’s article is short due to a severe lack of material. Any contributions are gratefully accepted.

Contest Schedule

Nothing scheduled yet.

Check the event listings on the MAAC website and the F3A Canada website for the latest information.

That’s all for now. Flight complete.

Paul