Allright guy's there just a few weeks away ...... Who's going ? I noticed there are just 18 guy's in sportsman. I've Seen more pilots at some local contests. Also have noticed in sportsman that none of the regionaal points leaders will be there execept for the southeast. I'm verry exicited about going up tp represent the S.E and Florida in sportsman at the nats.

I would like to here some of your comments..


Tony Fandino

Tony,
I think that most of us that are not in the top 5 positions may not be willing to invest 5 days vacation to visit muncie in July. For me, I could come home and visit friends and my wife's family but not for 7 days (I am from Indianapolis). I look at the contests in other areas and while the SE and SW have the largest attendance, many of the contest in the other regions may have 20 pilots total who participate. If I was in a region like that where I could fly more than wait, then the choice would be to go to two or three local contest or go to the nationals. For me, the local contest would be my choice.

Tony,

I am entered in Sportsman (and received confirmation from AMA) but do not appear on the list on the web site. I let Roy Barrow know this last week. Others may be in a similiar condition. I enjoyed flying with you at the JR Challenge and look forward to flying with you at the Nats.

Louis Matustik

You know what kind of an airplane I could put together for a trip like that from Las Vegas? Gas prices, the way they are. You don't need airplane sponsors for that kind of trip. You'd need Exxon, Shell or Texaco. It would also help if you got a little GM or Ford sponsorship. Maybe even a little Wells Cargo trailer sponsorship.

No, really.. on a more serious note. I'll probably NEVER make it to annual NATS event. And it's just for the reasons I've just stated. It's way too expensive to make that trek. I'm sure glad you guys in Indiana have a facility and contests right around your corner. It's not like you're on the PBA tour. Throw your bowling balls in a bag and go. At least in FAI, you've got a minimal sized plane to haul around. Get into Scale, and see what you have to have?

I know it's been done before, and is always thrown around here and there, but I'd truly like to see the Annual NATS move around the country. That way, even if we weren't planning to participate, you could certainly go and be a spectator when it made it's way to your neck of the woods.

Hello Tony,

That is a long drive from Miami, is Gerry going with you.

Jim Blinco[8D]

I will be there and cant wait!
It will be great seeing everyone in one place.

Unlimited will be interesting..... With 42 guys registered (even if 20% doesnt show up) it will be a lot of guys to get through each round.

miles .. good to hear from you. Didn't see you in mocksville.

Louis ... I'm glad to see that your going I noticed the season has been going pretty well for you.


Jim ... Yah gerry said he's gong with me but he is not going to fly just call for me. He is almost finished with his new 260 . How is your composite arf coming along?

Wayne i think we met at americus this year. Unlimited looks scarey. Can you imagine having to judge a round of 42 pilots......... I don't know how they will get it done with the time we have.


Looking forward to seeing everyone up in muncie drive safe and Good luck..


Tony

Hey Tony.

Yes. We met in Americus a few months ago.

Tony, I would have been there but someone stole my TX and I just received the replacement yesterday. Since my Campac was in the TX, I have to start over with programming. I plan to get it set up tonight and leave for the weekend and hope to get home early enough Sunday to put in a flight!
Next weekend is probably out as well!
How did you do in Mocksville?

edit...

Lou:
I signed up for the NATS only after I saw you where not competing, thought I had a chance, now I see they have your name hidden as not to scare off anymore competitors.

I may need a caller, can you return the favor from Roxana

See you there.

Puckett and I will be camping out, are you Lou?

a rough calculation tells me that one Unlimited round will take a little more than 7 hours. I feel for the judging crew!

I will be making the trek out from PA and flying Unlimited (and doing my best to keep up with Wayne) we will be there sometime on Sunday afternoon the 3rd and there for the duration. look for the hot rod extra and you'll find me!

Hubb

The Tucson Shootout is our Nationals here on the West Coast. With all the pilots that show up, it's the Internationals!! Arizona in October is also some excellent temperatures with no humidity.

Good luck to all the Indiana in July contestants!!

Take care,

Dean Bird
Sun Valley Fliers
Phoenix, AZ

Dean,

I am hoping to make Tucson also.
See ya there.

Excellent. Let me know if you're going to arrive a couple days early to do any practice. We've got several pilots that practice at my field the week before the contest. It's much less busy and then we all head down to Tucson the evening before the contest.

Let me know.


Later,

Dean Bird
Sun Valley Fliers http://sunvalleyfliers.com/
Phoenix, AZ

Hey Guy's, I'm going! Somebody has to be last.

I guess I'll be in both Nationals, Hopefully. I'm definately in the NATS, Tuscon may be more of a tight squeze when it come to pilot count[]

Ryan

Ryan,

You shouldn't have any trouble making the field. You proved yourself last year. I am told there will be some changes for entering the shootout this year. This change will make for a very competitive field of fliers.

Roger,

I will be glad to call for you anytime. I do plan to camp at the field.

Let me know if you are bringing your golf clubs and if you are, I will bring mine.

Louis Matustik

lou, when do you expect to find the time to golf when we're flying all week? It should be loads of fun though. And if we are flying on the same flight line i'll call in you need. For me being in intermediate im hoaping to back up my 5th at JR Challenge this year. See you all there!

Brian Sanik

Sportsman & Intermediate on one flight line, Advanced & Unlimited on the other.

Ryan

ryan

sportsman and intermediate at one flying site and advanced and unlimited at another. Two flight lines a each site.
Looking foward to battling it out with you guy's again. I'm flying my 40% carden 330 now and have gotten off the edge.

See ya there

Tony Fandino

Right. This is what I meant. 2 seperate sites, 2 flightlines each.

Would love to play golf, but will not have time nor the money to do so.
Need to concentrate on beating you

How about two sets of judges scoring the same flight?!
Get more numbers that way <smile>