On this page, I'll try to document my experience at the 2002 World Scale competition. Unfortunately things are hectic at work so, I'll be updating this page as I get time...Such and incredible experience, words can't express. Unfortunately it's difficult to get pictures of such an event when you're participating in it but, thankfully I have many friends who have sent pictures and I'll continue adding them as I recieve them.
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Signals got crossed!
I had thought the static judging was on Saturday, followed immediately by flying. I'd planned a liesurely trip to Tillsonburg and was packing when the phone rang ... Linda Smith, they're wondering where I am, I'm supposed to be at the Tillsonburg mall in 15 minutes (I'm about 240km from Tillsonburg)! Fastest packing I've ever done (thanks Bruce and Velda). Luckily I'm near the 407 highway and twice as lucky other speeders distracted the authorities that day....
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| photo: Palmer Johnson |
Yep! I made the team! I still can't believe it. Competition was tight and it could have gone several ways.
Sepp should have made it but he was plagued by engine gremlins causing him to score zero on 2 of three flights.
Jim Moss was also plagued by engine problems resulting in a zero score in the third round. Luckily we all broke for lunch while Jim and Sepp feverishly tore down and troubleshot. A hot, frantic Jim Moss was able to make a successful flight the third round.Just a quick note on my teammates;
- Bruce McGlashan (my supporter, not in this picture, but in the rest)
- Bruce is an ex co-worker a full-scale soaring pilot, amateur astronomer/photgrapher and all round good dependable friend. Bruce literally ran his feet off helping me for the two weeks of the trials and competition. Thanks Bruce!
- Jim Moss (teammate)
- Jim is a good friend and my opponent at many Nationals/Funfly/combat events. Jim flies with a neighbouring club but has recently joined my club (Ajax). Flying as a team was strange. ;)
Jim's helper is Don (His Dad). What can I say about Don, he's modeller's modeller (he loves to build) and reminds me of my uncle (Al Watson) who was a major influence in getting me into this hobby.- Gerrard McHale (teammate)
- I've read of Gerrard's exploits in magazines. It was a real pleasure to meet and compete with such a fine gentleman and quality modeller. Sean (his son) was his helper. I met Sean via the internet before the trials. I'm happy to count them both as friends.
- Sepp Uiberlacher (Alternate)
- I've read a lot about Sepp. It was an honour meeting him, a truly great builder/flyer
- George Bartkus (Manager)
- I've seen George in magazines before, one of the priviledges of participation is meeting the many people you've read about. Team manager is one of the least acknowledged, but critical positions on the team.
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| photo: Ron Harway |
Camping at Casey's park 5 min north of the airport. I met a lot of nice people and was pleasantly surprised how far some people had travelled to help out. Kudos to all those who helped out! Hope I can return the favour one day.
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Well, here I am, this is what it's all about. I can't believe I'm even nervous about the static judging.... There are some truly beautiful, finely detailed aircraft here. 'Inspiring' is the only word I can use to describe the quality of the workmanship.
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Weather? Hot and muggy with swirling crosswinds. My first flight was a zero, I couldn't get her in the air. She's behaving squirrely on the ground, I think the pavement has something to do with it, the tires (especially tailwheel) are refusing to skid like they do on pavement, permitting weathervaning into the wind. Instead she wants to roll over on her nose. That 20 grit pavement is murder on paint and props. Kudos to APC, I flew on the second attempt on the second flight with a prop that had stopped a full throttle Saito 56 on pavement (not time to change props and it looked safe). Only damage was the tips were more rounded and some scratches!
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
You want stress? Imagine being given a 2 minute warning that you must be in the air while in front of a huge crowd with announcers, TV cameras etc.....
Thankfully I could hear my 2 and 3 year olds excitedly announcing "That's my Daddy!", a real stress reliever those two. ;)
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Ok, she's running, check for lean ... quit!!!!
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Nasty humid overdeveloping weather (cycling). Temperature changes are rapid, pavement is HOT! Have to richen the mix (hatch behind and under cowl requires deft fingers.... time is running out!
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Running fine, taxi out, check the wind direction.
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Wind is swirling, I don't dare taxi further or she'll be on her nose again. Windsock shows a North wind, telltales across the runway show West, my senses say North-West ... dustdevils by the impound. ;(
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Ok here we go again (first attempt was blown over, this is all or nothing!)
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Second attempt Success. Zero for takeoff but now I'm in the air and scoring. At least I can say I flew at the Worlds!
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| photo: Sean McHale StrictlyScale |
Notice the smile? I planted a nice mains landing, kept her from nosing over, even taxied back and no-one got a shot of it... oh well (I hear there are plenty of upside down pics of the first attempt though). ;)