June 26, 2004

On June 26, 2004 the Newport News Park RC Club held their 3^rd annual Senior Pattern Contest. 
Jerry McGhee was the Contest Director for the event. The contest held two classes of Sportsman and Novice maneuvers with four rounds being flown in each class.

The weather forecast was doubtful as rain was scheduled for the entire day, but after a 2 ½ hour weather delay, flying began. There were seven participants in the Novice Class and four participants in the Sportsman class. The members of the NNPRCC pulled together to make this event a lot of fun and the participants had some tight competition.

The contest director was grateful for the assistance from Owen Dwire, club president for his rallying of the club and other behind the scenes assistance with setting up the contest. Other key contributors that helped make this event successful were Phil Greasley who tirelessly helped input the scoring data into the computer and marshaled pilots to the on-deck circle to keep any breaks in flying. Don Kohlman who provided the big score sheet for all the pilots to keep track of their place in the competition. The contest would have been nothing without dedicated judges who gave so much of their time to make this event so successful. Much thanks to the judges: Ed Silvers, Ken Combs, Jerry McGhee, Jay Taylor and Tony Gorgone. Tony was the "ironman" judge as he sat endlessly and judged both rounds of competition. Ken Combs also provided the PA system. (If I have left anyone out here please forgive me as it is not intentional.)

The Novice class drew the biggest number of participants. Seven entered the field. Joe Lupton from the Newport News Club took 1^st place with his Killer Kaos. John Backes from the CVA club in Williamsburg took 2^nd place and Dave Fisk from the Newport News club took third place. Other notables were Don Kohlman who missed 3^rd place by 1 point. John Shelton from CVA, Pete Dixon from Newport News and Elliott Mapp from CVA rounded out the field. Pete and Elliott had to leave early.

The Sportsman class was also very competitive. Mr. Bill Kite from Kingsport, Tennessee drove hundreds of miles just to compete in our contest with his Daddy Rabbit! The long hours on the road must have helped him out as he took 1^st place after it was all said and done. Brian Foveaux from the Newport News club took 2^nd place after a 10% deduction in total points for flying a non-SPA aircraft. The SPA aircraft and engine type rule did not apply to the novice class, but it did apply to the sportsman. 3^rd place was secured by Newport News club president Owen Dwire and his Sig Cougar. 4^th place went to Pete Rawlings from the CVA club. Pete had to drop out after he developed engine trouble, but he stayed to watch the outcome of the contest.

There were no mishaps during the contest. Everyone took their aircraft home the way they brought it. A great deal of fun was had by all and we look forward to next year’s SPA contest! Final Scores are posted below: