GDSHS September Club Contest

Mike Wade - Contest Director

It’s all about Steve Martinez this month. If you wanted to finish second, you needed to launch after Steve, and just follow him.

Jim Marcicki was the man in all-previous contests, for probably the last three years, but he worked as an intern this summer at FORD Motor Corp, and was thinking of returning to U of M, and his game must have been off.

Sunday began as a rainy, overcast day. After much discussion at the field in the morning, Mike decided on a Q-Max, four rounds, total of 26 minutes, and no flight over 7 minutes. Time yourself, you could over-fly your seven minutes, and still get your landing, for 100 points.

Richard Stratton and I, and Barney Bauer, spent time at the field on Friday, practicing launching, flying, and landing. From our scores, it apparently didn’t make a big difference.

Steve was on fire, setting the pace with three 7-minute flights, and the first flight a 100 landing. Steve got all his landings. Second place went to Jim, who had other things on his mind. Mike Wade came in at third, about 400 points off the first place winner. Mike had all his landings, and some low times on flights, which means LEARN TO LAND. Hutch flew his HERA II to a lucky fourth. Gerry Marcicki came in fifth, flying an AVA. Jack Iafret, fresh from being the CD of the USA F3B team select, came in sixth, with one of his few remaining sailplanes. Dick Stratton, tuning his 2-meter, came in seventh.

Near the end of the contest, many club members began showing up. Rodger, Bob, Tom, Jim and Don, and a few spectators. Tom had some really good flights, and no trees. Don and his scale plane had a few issues on launch.

It was good to see Dave Corven showing up, and flying his AVA, like the old days. While recuperating, it must be nice for him to know he still has IT.

Looking forward to the 16^th of September, for our GDSHS sponsored Michigan Soaring League final.