Bill Hughes working on his ½ A Proto model.
By John Moll
Monday July 7, 2025 was the first day of Control-line Speed. We flew ½A Speed and ½A Proto Speed. The difference between the two events are that ½ A speed is timed for five laps after the plane gets up to speed. Proto, however, is flown from a standing start and is timed for 10 laps total. So the plane has to accelerate for the first couple of laps to high speed. There were a total of seven entries for ½A Proto and five for ½A Speed.
Bill Hughes brought out his ½A Speed plane that he last flew back in 1995 at the Big Apple Wrap Up in, Flushing Meadows New York. He was very pleased that it went 123.09 mph. and captured 1st place for him.
All the flyers were able to get in the flights they needed. Everyone helped each other and that is the way we always compete.
½A Proto Speed Results:
1st place Glen Van Sant 97.57 mph
2nd place Patrick Hemple 93.18 mph
3rd place James Van Sant 92.81 mph
½A Speed Results:
1st place Bill Hughes 123.09 mph
2nd place Janes Van Sant 107.2 mph
3rd place Glen Van Sant 95.36 mph
On Tuesday, July 8th, we will fly FAI Speed, 21 Sport Speed, and Perky Speed. Come on by Site 2 and watch some speed!
Patrick Hemple preparing his ½ A Proto speed for a flight.
1/2A Proto Speed winners (l to r): Patrick Temple (2nd), Glen Van Sant (1st), James Van Sant (3rd).
1/2A Speed winners (l to r): Glen VanSant (3rd), Bill Hughes (1st), James Van Sant (2nd).
Henry Nelson holds James Van Sant’s ½A Speed plane while Glen Van Sant fuels it for another speed flight.