OK, anyone who was at Nederland, what happened to Brett and Chuck ?
Are the airplanes totaled ? Bummer right before the Nats.

tommy s

Hey Tommy, we missed you in Nederland.

I was judging Chuck in advanced - he had just completed his spin and was exiting for landing - Bret was flying FAI on the other line and I don't know where he was in his pattern. Bret was heading north and Chuck was heading south when the outer third of Chucks wing hit Bret's left horzontal stab and removed it. Both planes were still flying! Bret was able to land his plane hot, downwind and the main gear collapsed as he landed. Chuck somehow managed to fly around for a minute or so and then land-he clipped the top of a tree as he turned on final but still managed to get it down near the runway-even though it turns out he had only one aileron and no elevator...I don't know how he did it. Both landings were incredible piloting achievements, IMO.

Bret's Beryll is being repaired as I write and is expected to make a recovery within the week. Chuck called his plane a total loss and flew his new electric Pentathlon very well for a narrow win over Jon Lowe.

George

Tommy:

Well I could say that Chuck took dead aim for Brett; Brett tried to evade but Chuck was faster....but that wouldn't be true.

They were in the same space at the same time, Chuck's wing tip caught Brett under the left stab; took a big chunk of Chuck's wing plus other damage and Brett was missing the complete left stab and half of the rudder. Both were badly crippled, Brett made it in by flying at 200+ mph so that the plane didn't just go into a spin Sadly, Chuck wasn't as fortunate, and on landing pretty much took off the nose of the airframe. Brett's plane will fly again with the help and support of all the great guys in D6. Chuck moved up the conversion to electric and went on to win the Advanced class with authority. Brett pretty much decided he was through for the day but his plane will be in the air again soon.

Obviously George types faster than I do.

That's good news, I'm glad they're both not out of commission right before the Nats.
I thought I was coming but had to work. Glad you all got the rounds in, it rained like
crazy around here all day saturday.

tommy s

Many thanks to the Nederland crew for their hospitality and a well run contest. Once again, a great Friday evening at Buddy's shop.

The big event though, both Brett and Chuck doing some intense flying to get their planes back to the runway.

Chuck flew his new E-Pentathlon (with only 2 previous flights) for the last three rounds to a first place finish...well done.


-mark

It was a fun contest, but I'm still getting over the 11 hour drive back! I've got to go to work to rest up from the weekend! Hospitality was great, weather held out for us to get all 6 rounds in, and the entry was about right in the mid 20's, so we weren't rushed.

Yes, Chuck did a great job with his new airplane. He won 3 rounds, and I won 3, but his next highest score was a 999.73 (when he was flying his dearly departed Insight), and mine was a 993.x! It was CLOSE!

Thanks for a good time.

Jon

Jon,

I'm glad you and Mike made it home safely. It was great meeting you both. I hope that we'll see more of you. It was quite a contest between you and Chuck - That was way too close to call..should be a draw as far as I'm concerned. Both of you flew exceptionally well.

Have a restful week at work<G>!

George

Jon:

I certainly misspoke about Chuck's win, it was very close. You both are flying very well and I expect you will both do well at the Nats. See you in a few weeks.

It was a very good contest, all of the pilots flew well.... Brett and Chuck managed to do what they could with what they had after the midair happend[]!!! I hope to see all of you at the Nats.

Matt