Despite the crummy weather this weekend, I finally got to fly in my first contest, the PA Aerobatic Championship at Maytown- yippee!I decided not to push my newbie luck by taking my airplane to Maytown (relatively narrow runway on a breezy weekend), but Ron Chadwick agreed to let me fly his S-2B with him in the back as safety pilot. When I arrived and registered, I found out that there were no other entries in Primary. Fortunately, a couple other pilots agreed to enter Primary so we would have an official contest in the category.
Due to the weather, the flight schedule was curtailed quite a bit, with Intermediate and Advanced each getting two flights, and Primary and Sportsman squeezing in only one flight each.
My flight went fairly well, except that I almost flew in one side of the box and out the other before flying my first figure- oops (note to self: no need to enter the box at 140 mph if the first figure is a spin). BTW, the spin scored pretty well- thanks for the advice, everyone! On the whole, I was pretty happy with my scores and the feedback that came with them. And I didn't finish last!!
Speaking of not finishing last, Kendall Simpson flew Sportsman, and finished as far from last as you can get- namely, first! Great job, Kendall! If you hunt as well as you fly, those Canadian bears had better duck, eh?
It was a great experience meeting everyone and participating in the contest. Warrenton next, and hopefully in my own airplane!
Tom P.
TomCongratulations on your first contest (and to you too Kendall). I remember my first contest vividly. I also remember how nervous I was when the box markers changed from red to white! I thought, how can this be? I know some of these people and there's nothing to be nervous about - but it doesn't seem to work that way!
I'm glad you've been bitten by the bug.
On to Warrenton (W66)...another great airport by the way. You'll find it to be beautiful and the people are incredibly hospitable.
Patty