Dennis,
I remember Ken flying the Vivat in Milan. That was back in the day when I actually attended more than one contest a year. It had that pregnant guppy look but flew fantastic. As I do my research and look for my next plane I am finding out that there are a LOT of options if your name is Gates or Trump, or if you live in Europe. Over here you literally have about three viable options (for electric due to weight issues) and those are very subject to availability. Who would have thought that I would have a problem finding a pattern plane to fit within my budget of $1,200 to $1,500 bucks before engine/motor, batteries, servos, and accessories. I guess I had better go back to playing the lottery.

I did have an "incident" with my black magic. Was practicing the Wednesday before the contest and had a deadstick with the 160 DZ at the bottom of my centered stall turn with 3/4s. Ended up landing long in the plowed field and hitting the gear on a furrow row. Sheared it clean off taking the gear plate with it and damaging the chin cowl pretty badly. No other major damage and will be repaired.

You are playing with the big boys now so you have to really bring your A-game every contest. Masters has to be the most competitive class in Pattern, if not it is close to it.

Later
Anthony