Just a quick note to let folks know that an SPA Chapter has been formed in Hood River, OR
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We have initial membership of eight guys. We are lucky to have "old timer" Jack Dunn as one of our leaders. Jack assisted in the initial startup of the SPA (early 90's?). I am planning to submit an article for the SPA newsletter telling about us, with maybe some pictures. But this post is just to let people know that if any SPA type flying is planned in the Northwest, please let us know so we can consider attending. We believe ours to be the only SPA Chapter on the west coast, but would be delighted to discover we are wrong about that.

Our club (Columbia Gorge Aeromodelers) has had a Precision Aerobatics SIG for several years, led by Jack and myself. But this year we convinced our "regulars" to try out going with the SPA rules, patterns, and philosphy (KISS). This will keep us from having to "re-invent the wheel" on rules and patterns, and standardize our operations and events. Our long term goal is to have an SPA event somewhere in our region. Since our flying field is in a hay field I told Jack we should call it the "Hayseed Invitational" -- for hayseeds, by hayseeds, in a hay field" - because I'm sure that lack of knowing what we are doing will make our event seem "hayseed" compared to the "pro" events held in the Southeast USA.

For now, Jack and I are co-leading the group, with Jack doing most of the work, and me taking most of the credit. Last week we had a "seminar" at Jack's house where he went over the 2007 Novice class manuevers, and we all learned a lot. We have decided that initially we will all be in the Novice class, and work our way up from there depending on personal motivation and interest.

I am flying a Jack-Built Utter Kaos, powered by an OS 46AX. Jack and I have discovered that this engine is every bit as powerful as the 60-size engines of the 1960's, so we have several SPA-legal planes flying with this engine - turning an APC 12x7 prop. Jack has two Daddy Rabbits, a Sunfly-3, and King Altair of his own design mods (onother of our members has his original KA), is building a Dirty Birdy from Bridi-kits website, and is wanting to build a Henchman. Several of our members are taking a hard look at the re-released World Models Intruder. Like a lot of postings here, we are wrestling with the issue of SPA-legal planes. In order to encourage new members we feel that ARF's need to figure into the picture. We like the SPA ruiles regarding engine sizes, no retracts, etc. But since only about have our members have SPA-legal planes, we have extend the "any plane goes" rule that applies to the Novice class, up to the Sportsman class. We may leave it this way, or go with "pure" SPA rules depending on how things develop. My long term goal is to beat Jack Dunn in the Senior Expert class using an SPA-legal plane!

We hope to have some "in-house" Chapter contests later this year, and perhaps can share narration and pictures either here and/or the SPA newsletter. Be sure to let us know about any "pattern for the rest of us" events that might take place within a reasonable driving distance of Hood River.

-=Roy=-