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Robbie Walker 3993

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3rd RCRC SPA Championships

3rd time is indeed a CHARM

HUNTSVILLE, AL - May 16, 2004: The above caption is a line voiced over and over by CD Ken Nix following this weekends' 3rd annual SPA Championships in the Space Capitol of the Universe.

Saturday was indeed delightful with temperatures in the upper 70's, light breezes straight up and down the runway and four complete rounds flown in all classes. The activity embellished by the accomodating laughter and frivolity that is evident at a SUPER SPA Precision Aerobatic contest.

The weather bureau promised some shower activity on Sunday morning and it came at the conclusion of Novice's round 5. A vote among pilots resulted in calling the competition in favor of a GREAT awards ceremony in the spacious, air-conditioned and comfortable Chuck Facemire Memorial Clubhouse, one of the numerous amenities on the RCRC Capt. Wilbourn flying facility.

Results of the competition will be posted within the coming 24 hours on the SPA website and within a couple of days....a number of good photos will be available on the website.

Nix and associates surprised the participants with awards for EVERY pilot....yes, ALL that flew and participated "brought home the personalized photo awards". There were SPECIAL awards for TOP GUN PILOT.....that flyer was deemed to exhibit the most promise and skill advancement in the young season, the award sponsored by Cass Underwoods' Top Notch Trophy Co. was presented Sportsman Talent Robbie Walker from Cullman, AL.

There was a "Best-Loo**** Bird" award given.....a vote of the participants resulted in that handsome award going to Steve Byrum of Cullman, AL for his lovely Curare which sports a painted fuselage, monokoted wings and stab and tri-colored wheelpants. Not only looks good but is a solid performer for Steve.

A "Hard-Luck" award complete with polished Tru-Turn Spinner mounted above the broken APC prop and golden colored engraved plates was garnered by ****sport Tennessee's own Rhea Starnes. Starnes had completed his round two flight on Saturday...just after his landing decided to advance the throttle a bit on the KAOS, turn around and taxi back to himself....when a gust of wind got under the model and it was airborne again quicker than one could recite..."Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers". Starnes, astonished that his airplane was airborne again....attempted to regain his togetherness and fly it...but just before that confident feeling returned, the airplane flew into a nearby tree. Out of its' own garage came the RCRC "crash-site" conveyance vehicle (Motorized Golf Cart) and zoomed to the scene......standing on the siderails of the aforementioned vehicle, his KAOS was retrieved from the tree with NARY.....A.....SCRATCH !! This event was the nearest to "hard-luck" experienced the whole week-end. I have the neatest photo of Mr. Rhea using his hand to describe what happened....it'll appear both on the website and in a coming edition of the SPA Newsletter soon.

Tony Coberly- Pres. RCRC, Mary Long-PR Director RCRC....all members who assisted, always dependable Chuck Facemire (for whom the clubhouse is named)...registered as a contestant and never flew a flight just to be a part of the contest and lend his financial as well as physical assistance to the meets' success.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim McNeill, AMA VP visited and shot many photos which will appear in a few days on the AMA website for District 5 and a future edition of Model Aviation.

Scott Sappington, our VP, who voiced the opening invocation both days...summed up the feelings of the gathering when he said...."Chief, we thank you for answering our requests for ideal conditions, they were super". Gigantic Amens followed.

Thanks all....that made for a super contest.

Tony Coberly and Warren Tomme of RCRC who enjoyed along with a few of us that remained in the deluxe clubhouse, the "Pickin' and Singin'" duo of Nix and Watson....said," why don't you incorporate a sort of party-like gathering like this in conjunction with next years contest?"

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm---

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Robbie Walker 4000

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9th Annual Cullman Alabama SPA Championships

Cullman, Alabama...This wee kend’s “season-opener” SPA contest hosted by the Cullman Aeromodellers
in Cullman was SUPER! As always, C A offered up not only the menu of fine accommodations but serious “side-dressing” as well.

ALL comments regarding the consolidation of age-groups in the SPORTSMAN class and the reversal to the original groupings in the Senior Class were Positive. As a result of the new groupings there were “contests” in every class. Each race for the hardware embellished with laughter, good-hearted

competitiveness and a few....”I’ll do better next times.” The CD was overheard saying at the awards ceremony, “this has certainly been a help to the execution of a contest.....as a result of the changes, we’re awarding through 5th place in EACH class”.

CD Steve said he was aware of about 5 fliers who wanted to be participating but were have to be on CALL, or wor**** or had commitments they couldn’t shake away from. These folks were sorely missed and its’ hoped we can “double-up” on the fellowship at Huntsville’s SPA contest next month.

Most everything was smooth sailing for fliers preparing for the season-opener....but, as is the case with any endeavor worth its’ salt.....there were a few negatives......IE...1/2 half of the HOOTNANNY entertainment duo Friday night had to go and park his Compensator in a tall-tall oak squeezing in some last-minute practice........and, rather than entertaining the gang at the hootnanny, spent hours Friday night, preparing his “back-up”.....the New Orleanian with the “age-spots” on it. I’ll not name the individual since he vows....”its’ demeaning after having won the Memorial Trophy” at the Masters contest last year. Ken Nix crooned the night away at the Collins Kick-Off hootnanny Friday night, but did admit to his audience, “I miss my scheduled opening act”!

One of the highlights of the Cullman contest was the presentation of a special “thank you, Steve” engraved plaque. President Ken Hardin and Hobby Shop owner Sid Austin said the C A simply wanted Steve Byrum to have a permanent reminder of how grateful the club is for his devotion to the club and its’ endeavors, especially the contests he directs. This presentation drew a loud ovation as Byrum humbly accepted. Pyramid Hobbies presented a High Point trophy to the flier in each class with the highest “rawscore” flight.

Jim Fuller of Cullman was the lucky winner of the 6 channel radio given in the raffle. It was one of the late model “goodies” from JR (as I recall).

Scott Sappington and myself hope we got some dandy photos to share both on the website and in the coming newsletter.

I didn’t mention the weather...because it was just delightful....pretty strong winds made for some good challenges on Saturday...and just a 20 minute or so rain delay on Sunday morning.

Thanks much, Cullman Aeromodellers, you’ve opened the curtain on what will probably be the most enjoyable season in SPA history. (At our age, EACH is the most enjoyable....agree?)

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Bruce Underwood 4000

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Robbie Walker 4000

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