2005 Jasper, IN Results

If you were on the bubble about attending this contest and for what ever reason you decided to not make the trip, you may have missed out on the best weather for a contest this year, not to mention a great contest. The field was prepared for Friday practice by 1pm Thanks to the help of Lisa and Brian Young. Brian Young, Charlie Williams, Bob Fortino, and Steve Ragsdale took advantage of this practice time until dark.

The contest started at 10:30 due to the sun rising just south of the E/W flight line. Winds were at about 5mph to 15mph and the temperature was about 75 degrees. Although we started at 10:30, we were able to get the full 6 rounds in for all classes by around 5pm. The scores were all entered and ready within 5 minutes of the last pilot finished his flight. Thanks to everyone who attended and helped to keep things rolling.

Lisa (my girlfriend) needs to receive some well earned recognition. Not only was she my caller, she was involved with everything happening from concessions to score keeping and keeping me on top of things. She was the one who pulled all the preparation stuff together shopping for food and contest supplies. She took off work on Friday to make sure the field was ready and helped set up the boxes for two lines. Oh, did I mention that she helped me stay on top of things.

As one could expect, attrition caught some of us and made the contest shorter than they would have liked. Brian Young left Friday night when he couldn’t get his YS 1.60DZ to idle well. Steve Ragsdale didn’t make it to the field and not sure what may have happened. I know Steve wanted to fly in the contest. During the contest Mike Bryant was the first to fall out due to a fuel tank leak soaking his plane after the second round. Dave Johnstone was only able to complete the 3^rd round due to dead-sticks in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th rounds with his YS 1.40DZ. Dave dropped after the 4^th round. I was going strong until my 1.40 DZ quite running in the 4^th round causing a dead-stick and was not able to get it restarted so I was out for the last two rounds.

Moral of the story is, “Get to that 1^st contest early in the year to sort out any problems before the NATS or your next contest”.

The Jasper Contest will have better attendance next year. It improved from last year and the feedback from everyone again is that this is a great flying site and a good contest. Lisa and I will continue to work and make it a better contest next year.

All in all everyone seemed to have a great time. Intermediate was the class to watch. Louis Matustik from Columbus, Ohio, made a full tour competing in St. Louis IMAC last weekend and making the Jasper contest on his way back.

Thanks to everyone for helping to make this a great event. We will see you on the trail. 

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