National Free Flight Society volunteers.
By Skilly DeLoach
The final day of the Nats was a whirlwind. The morning greeted us with no breeze, only humid warmth. Contestants were easing into flights, hesitant, wondering if the air was full of thermals…or downers. The sky became a dark cloud in the afternoon, leading up to what was one of the worst rain storms the field in Muncie had seen.
Buzzing excitement was all around for P-30, most Free Flighters’ favorite rubber event. There were astounding entry numbers for P-30. Fifteen Adults were entered, two Seniors, and three Juniors. It’s important to note how difficult the day of flying was. The morning presented relatively sketchy air, so many competitors did not put up many flights (assuming the afternoon would improve). However, the storm rolled in, and it was 3:30 after it ended…only thirty minutes until the end of the Nats. Flyers who did not already put up models were scrambling, and the air wasn’t supporting them in their last-minute attempts.
The P-30 results are as follows. For the adults, Glenn Grell came in third with 360 seconds. In second with 491 seconds was George Dalecki. Only seven seconds apart was the gold, Chuck Powell, with 498 seconds in first. Second place was taken by Dev Goda in the Senior category with 171 seconds. Yours truly was first with 327 seconds. Finally, Junior Oliver Dillon took third with 120 seconds, Caleb Finn was in second with 251 seconds and John Mah-Gersting took first with 409 seconds.
Another high-entry event on Friday was F1S. Seven Seniors and Adults entered. David Sechrist took third with 552 seconds. Second place was taken by Jon James with 584 seconds. The gold went to Bob Sowder, who made the final max with 600 seconds, dominating the competition.
Five Adults and one Junior entered ½A Gas. These modelers were smart. They flew earlier in the morning and many of them were still able to get high scores despite the weather. Junior, Sam Menanno, would have placed fourth in the adult category with 270 seconds. Third place went to Jim Parker, from Houston, with 323 seconds. Gerald Brown was silver with 476 seconds, and Bob Hanford was in first with an astounding 600 seconds.
There were seven entries for ¼A Nostalgia Gas, many of whom also competed in Early 1/2A Nostalgia gas. In third for ¼A Nos was Bruce Hannah with 280 seconds. Next was Roger Erridge with 281 seconds, first place was Denny Dock (360 seconds).
Early 1/2A Nostalgia Gas was cutthroat, with six competitors all scoring very close to one another. The podium was filled with two adults and one Junior, Paul Finn took third place (237 seconds) and second was again, Roger Erridge (302 seconds). The first place trophy was won by Dan Berry with a score of 360 seconds.
The immensely athletic event, Classic Towline, had four entries. Classic Towline takes the flyer and a partner, who waits for the flyer to pick air so they can launch the model for them. The competitor then runs with the airplane (the less wind, the faster the sprint) and tugs the line off the model once they’re satisfied with their height and air. That’s when the stopwatch starts. In third place was Don DeLoach (269 seconds), silver was Chuck Powell (281 seconds), and gold went to the Junior, Caleb Finn (357 seconds).
Old Time Rubber Cabin (Large and Small) had six entries. Third place went to our outstanding volunteer, Mark Vancil, with 298 seconds. Second was Glenn Grell (308 seconds) and first place in OT Rubber Cabin was Jesse Firster with 505 seconds.
NFFS High start was managed by Andy Tomasch, and was a complete success. Two flyers were entered in this event, and each received medals and kits as generous prizes. In second place was Patti Lorbiecki (61 seconds) and first place was Chuck Powell (168 seconds).