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avlwilsons -> RE: 3rd SPA Championships, Cave Spring, Georgia (7/11/2005 5:15:10 AM)
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I see my blue, yellow, and white Taurus in one of the pictures--my 15 seconds of fame:) Actually this was MY first SPA meet also--I intended to watch and get the feel for the meet, (it had been a long time since I flew AMA Novice), but was STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to fly--it was a good experience, (but my hands were shaking for the first round--or two). Everybody out there was great--no cliques or feeling excluded. They were all very helpful and friendly.
One large tree in particular entered into the thinking of a lot of pilots, and it WAS a problem unless it was your home field. Some came in at an angle as you mentioned, but most didn't. One real lucky guy actually scraped a bit of foliage on an approach, but was OK. Most of us tried to make the crosswind leg of the approach just above the treeline, (just to be sure), then drop down. No planes were lost.
If you are interested in true competition without a large investment, the SPA is the way to go. It goes back to the way pattern competion used to be, where equipment and technology were more simple, and where the average guy could fly the same plane as the "big boys". Don't be fooled into thinking these are "antiques" out there--these planes perform very well, and there is plenty of challenge and skill needed if you're going to do well.
Duane
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