CULLMAN, AL  July 10, 2016..........Directing RC Model events at this field

is "OLD HAT" to this "SEASONED" Contest Director and Modeler

Steve Byrum of the Cullman Aeromodellers.

Steve and several of his associates met early arrivals on Friday afternoon for an early greeting and some good practice flying as the field was prepared with a mowing of about one inch of the plush green growth of rye, some Bermuda, etc.  The runway seemed smoother than at any year since it's existence what with the loving care members have given it.

Saturday morning at the Invocation/Pilots Briefing he explained centering of landing and take-off should be extremely easy due to the width and smoothness of the areas just in front of the two flightlines, and it was!  The morning sun which sometimes causes a delayed start here, was defended by a decent cloud cover til about mid morning both days.  After the cover departed, typical Alabama humid, hot and muggy weather made itself known and ice water and gator-ade was in demand.  Lavell and Jackie Thrasher, who headed the concessions made certain plenty hydration was available.

Let's get the bad news aside early, that pretty Daddy Rabbit model featured in the KCRC report earlier this season yielded to it's age on Saturday when Dave Johnson from Knoxville was executing 3 rolls and the wing broke right along the edge of the fiberglass tape center doubler.  Needless to say, the model was demolished just eyeballing the remains.  Your PIO's competition ended just prior to the last maneuver in the 1st round when the elevator function failed, but fortunately, enough of it remained to allow a safe landing and preservation of the borrowed airplane.  Jim Strong lost a round when his electric KAOS had an ESC burn up due to using a 6 cell pack which was too big for his other set-up, the motor and prop.  A change to a 5 cell pack and another ESC solved the problem.  Here's Jim:

 

Doesn't that ARF Tower KAOS look great?  Jim flew introductory class.  He and Jamie now belong to the ALABASTER, AL club and practice there often.

Part of the Cullman contest for the last few years has been the Saturday night visit and party at the BRANDING IRON Steak Restaurant and this year was no different.  Richard Witt, below,promoted two FREE dinners for two lucky pilots:

Winners of the two BRANDING IRON steak dinners were Jerry Black and Bill Dodge.  Many thanks to Mr. "JOSH" for the donation of the two dinners.  Try the BRANDING IRON for a lucious steak and trimmings next time you're in Cullman, AL.

Jamie Strong brought a "MOCK" setup of his electric assemblies which duplicate the electric powerplants that equal the  power requirements of the SPA regulations.  Interesting, look at these.

The setup above is equal to an OS61 2S.....13,800  RPM with 11/7 APC  1370 Watts.

Above is equal to an OS 91 4S.  13/8 at 10,500RPM at 1370 watts in HP.  1400 watts is SPA Max.  He explains the savings he enjoys over the cost of internal combustion engine.  I asked him about Jim Strong's KAOS's weight, he said "about 7 lbs".

Steve Drake, an old time modeler in AMA type aerobatics came to Cullman and it was so good visiting with him since such a long "hiatus" from flying pattern for Steve.  Many of us old-timers recall flying with Steve's dad Gene who was active back in the "golden-era".  Steve is from Bowling Green, KY and flew lots several years ago with Ed Kirtley, when Ed owned a furniture store in Bowling Green.  Steve was flying an ARF INTRUDER which he declared was some 15 years old.  He had used the metric bolts that came with the original ARF to mount the engine and they elected to vibrate out Saturday.  The cowl held the engine in place til he landed.  A quick trip to Lowes and modification to some 6'32s and loctite Saturday night in Day's Inn solved it.

It was such a joy to see Les Smith from Cincinnatti, OH here and meet his son Chris from Tallahassee, FL who came to meet dad and spend the weekend with him.  They were able to enjoy the party at BRANDING IRON Sat night and the better part of two days with each other.  A GREAT Smith gathering!

Contestants numbered 14, but you would have imagined we were at a Masters somewhere, what with all the good hospitality the Cullman Aeromodellers extended, what with the free dinner promoted, the constant liquid provided, the excellent grass field, rapid scorekeeping done by clubmembers, etc.

Jim Strong completed all but the one problem round in the INTRODUCTORY Class and received an 8 1/2 X 11 framed certificate for his shop wall at home.  Les Smith K'd all rounds in NOVICE what with David Johnson's tough luck with the DR wing breaking. Dan Dougherty just really shined winning 4 rounds on Saturday holding Charlie Johns to 3714 in Sportsman.  Charlie declared "I wish it was closer to my practice field".  Scott Sappington K'd all four rounds in ADVANCED on Saturday to claim 1st, followed by Bill Dodge with a very close 3969 and Jim Johns won the "charm" spot with 2194.  EXPERT featured some excellent flying with Steve Drake winning 4 rounds and Jamie Strong two.  Jamie lost two flights due to ruptured fuel lines.  In Senior Expert Jerry Black flew 4 rounds on Saturday like demos from the Competition Guide and judged on Sunday morning.  Sure enough, his flights were that good.  Jeff Owens won one round on Sunday morning for a total score of 3794 and 2nd, Keith Watson wound up 3rd with 3656.  Bruce Underwood totaled 787 for 4th.  Jim will post the official scores here on the list a bit later.

Steve was joined by Mr. Jim Dill, Club VP for the presentation of the nice awards.

Cullman Aeromodellers, you need to author a "How to" for running an SPA pattern contest.  It would be a "best seller"! 

Bruce Underwood
PIO (Public Info Officer)