Attention all SPA'ers in NC, SC, VA, and eastern TN. Next month I'll be hosting the 1st ever SPA contest in central NC ! ! The contest will be held the weekend of April 25-26 at the Central Carolina R/C Modelers field in Randleman, NC (about 10 miles south of Greensboro, NC). The usual SPA rules will be in effect, however, since we've never had an SPA contest in this area before, I'm instituting a "fly what you bring what you bring" rule (no planes over 15lbs and no "gasser's" though). SPA airframes are strongly encouraged, but I want to give area pilots who don't have an SPA-legal plane a chance to compete and experience the fun of SPA. Full details, including a Contest flyer, can be found on the SPA website (www.seniorpattern.com) click on Contest tab, then the Contest Calendar sub-menu. We've got a 1st class flying field in Randleman and I'm confident we'll have a terrific Contest. Please mark your calendars and plan to come and fly with us. If you've got any questions, feel free to call me (770/317-8061) or drop me an email. If you're planning on attending, please pre-resgister via the Senior Pattern website. See you next month!! Regards,...Steve Vergamini

Steve;

Looking forward to making history there near Greensboro.

This contest is the farthest east an SPA contest has ever been held north of Florida. Those of you within driving distance, (?? which varies depending on determination), who have ever toyed with the idea of seeing what an SPA contest is like...this inaugural contest is for you. Don't think you have to achieve a high level of "pattern excellence" to fly, and please don't think of yourself as "I'm not good enough", or wonder"will I look silly out there?". All levels of expertise will be there from first-timer to Expert, (we all had our first time at one point). That's what Steve did about two years ago when he appeared at our very first Asheville, NC contest. NOW he is tough competition, and often, (not always) beats me out. We have a good rivalry going.

Now is the time to make your plans, go to the SPA website, study how the maneuvers, are done, (under "DOWNLOADS"), and start to practice. All you really need is the DESIRE to want to fly precision aerobatics, and you're on your way. Steve, or any number of SPA members can answer any question you may have.

Hope to see you there.

Duane Wilson SPA #22

Im planing on attending, looks like a lot of fun!! Pete SPA 166

Just a quick post to thank the 18 contestants that came and flew with us at the 1st-ever SPA contest here in central NC. We had a wonderful time-weather was great, field was exceptional, competition was close, and the fellowhip was the best of all. We had a lot of old school pattern planes-a lot to "ooh" and "aah" over, including a couple of very nice electric birds. Of course, we also had some fine flying by some 1st class pilots. All results will be posted to the Senior Pattern website in the next couple of days.

For those of you that didn't come-you missed a terrific time. I'm hopeful we can do this again next yearif you didn't make it this year, maybe you can make it in 2010. In the meantime, my thanks for all the contestants who came to this contesthope you all had as much fun as I did....WarpedWing