DISTRICT 7
Meet The Pilots
Click on the picture to see the plane the pilot is flying.
Frank Capone - Masters - Placerville, Ca. I started flying Pattern in 1988. My best friend "Bud Garric" was involved with Pattern at that time and it looked like a lot of fun. He encouraged me to give it a try. That was 19 years ago. I CD'ed my first contest in 1994 and have done so ever since. Upon Bud's passing (1996) I initiated the first Bud Garric Memorial Pattern Contest in Sacramento, which has since been changed to the "Bud Garric Pattern Classic". I flew as an Advanced pilot in the 1992 & 1994 NSRCA sponsored N-PAC. I enjoy traveling and flying with the folks in Dist 8 and Canada West. I still Fly an Angel's Shadow powered with an OS 140RX and ES carbon pipe. I've been thinking about building an Electric version this coming winter 2007/2008. Hope to see ya at the field.
Intermediate. Born in 1985 to the designer of the Deception, a pattern legend, Jim Kimbro. I started flying in Oct. of 2005 with a Big Stick 60 which had an O.S. .61 with a Performance Specialty tuned muffler strapped down in the front of it for my power. I soloed my Big Stick on my 30th flight. I started flying pattern just 7 months later in April of 2006, with an Oxalys 50 which had an O.S. .50 with a Performance Specialty tuned muffler strapped down in front. That same year in June I entered and competed in my first contest. I flew Sportsman and won 4 of the 6 rounds. Two months later I went to my 2nd contest and won it as well. Then I decided it was time to move up to Intermediate. I started flying one of my dad's designs - the Mirage with a Rossi 60 (he flew this plane back in the late '80s), I went to two more contests that year - two 4th place finishes. It's a new year now, 2007, and with this new year comes a new plane - a Genesis with an O.S. 1.60 on a pipe with JR gear, Mode 1 of course, where Up is Up, Down is Down, Right is Right and Left is Left, only a Kimbro. Big, fast, hard, and on point is the style that I fly aka West Coast style of Pattern. See you out there boy's and I wish you the best of luck. And always remember - you're not flying unless you are on the edge of disaster!
Mike Greear….. Sportsman A.V. Tailwinds-Lancaster, CA. 05-21-07 I have always been fascinated with aviation all my life, and used to tag along with my Dad when I was a kid in the 50’s and 60’s when he tried his hand at RC. I think it was Dec. 5th 04 when Tony Frackowiak soloed me, weaned me from the buddy box, and I’ve been attempting to fly ever since. Last Oct (06) I was talked into entering a pattern contest that was hosted by our club. Well, I flew like crap, but there were only 3 of us in Sportsman, so I brought home wood. A month later I flew in Arvin, flew worse! But Feb (07) was here before I knew it, got some practice in, coaching and a lot of help from Jerry and Tony…..and here I am. At the time of this printing, 36 straight rounds won, and 6 1st place plaques. Just wish I could get more practice in…..with the afternoon desert winds, doesn’t seem to happen much. Seems the only practice I’m getting is when I go to contests! I still struggle out there, it’s not easy, but is getting easier. I plan to fly Intermediate at the NATS this year (07). After all I’m going to be there, might as well go there and embarrass myself! Right now I have a couple of Showtimes I fly with a JR radio system…both set up with AXI outrunners. Jean and I are really enjoying it, and having a great time! We have met a lot of great people, and we plan on being here a while!
Chuck Hartmann - Masters - Newport Beach, CA. I'm flying a Focus with an OS 1.40 RX, a combination I've flown the past two seasons. 2007 is my first season flying Masters class. I first soloed a glow-powered R/C plane in 1989 at age 43. Glen Dean saw me trying to do aerobatics and suggested that I try the maneuvers in the AMA Competition Regulations. I entered my first contest in 1991 with a .40-powered Kaos, in Novice (now Sportsman) class, placed third, and was hooked. I started flying in the Intermediate class in 1993 and have been flying in local contests ever since. Click on Chuck's picture to see him and his plane.
Jerry Budd - Masters - Experienced pattern competitor, having pursued perfection for 27+ years (still looking for it). I have competed in multiple US Nationals (1979, 1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) with the 1979 Nats in Lincoln, NE my first pattern contest. I worked my way up through the classes until I reached FAI-F3A in 1989. I flew flew F3A from 1989 to 1999, competing in the US Team Selection Tournament in 1991 and 1993. In 1997 I was a Support Member of the US Team at the F3A World Championships in Deblin, Poland. In 1999 I moved back to Masters due to the combination of increased complexity of the FAI patterns and a diminishing amount of available practice time. In 2002 I resumed competing in the US Nationals (in Masters), placing 7th in 2003, 2nd in 2004 & 2005, 14th in 2006, and 5th in 2007. I was the NSRCA District 7 Masters Champion in 2004, 2005, & 2006. I'm currently flying electric powered Abbra's which I greatly enjoy both from a flight performance and a maintenance (lack of) point of view. I also have a pair of Leviosa's to complete for next season.
Scott Covey - San Jose, CA,; FAI. Two years ago I started flying again, after a 10 year layoff helping raise my children and coaching sports with them. I now enter my 3rd year of competition flying having finished my second year winning the District Championship in FAI. I plan to head to the Nationals in 2007 along with several local flyers. As such, I have been practicing the FAI F07 pattern and find the rolling maneuvers very challenging. I plan to fly F07 at each contest, at least once, to prepare for the Nationals. I will stay with electric pattern but will retire the Poetic as I look forward to my new plane, an Angels Shadow using an anhedrial stab and thicker fuselage for increased drag. I have just finished the color scheme which will be painted in the mold and really like how it came out. The bottom and the sides are very nice also! It's my hope that the new AS will provide me increased control with reduced mixing of all surfaces.
Michael Miller (Tractor Mike) – Advanced. I am moving up after squeaking out a win in the 2006 District 7 Championship in Intermediate. I hope I haven’t jumped up to my level of incompetence. I became interested in Pattern when I attended the Bud Garrick Classic in 1999. In 2002 I became pals with Frank Capone and started flying pattern in earnest. I have enjoyed it ever since. I am the CD of the Sacramento Spring Pattern Contest with Don Atwood since 2004. Traveling, flying and socializing with great people is what I enjoy the most, from Southern California to Canada. I am currently flying an Angel’s Shadow with an OS 140RX and Futaba Radio. I have been tutored and coached by Frankie and Don who have been my inspirations.
Don Atwood - FAI. Placerville, CA I started flying RC in 1970 when a friend invited me to Lowry AFB to watch the model airplanes. I expected to see control line planes, however, as soon as I saw a pilot start his plane, taxi out and take off via RC, I was hooked. My first plane was a Jensen Ugly Stik, engine SuperTigre 56 and radio was a Kraft Series 70 4 channel. I still have the radio and it still works. My pattern competition started in 1974 and have been competing ever since. I enjoy the comradery of this sport, the information sharing and experimentation, and the friendly harassment. I recently started flying electric pattern and I must say, it has rekindled my enthusiasm.I actually go to the flying field and put in a few practice flights rather than stand around and then decide it is too much hassle to get everything out and fly. Don't misunderstand me, nothing against glo, I still have glo planes. Electric isn't for everyone but there is plenty of room for both (Except for the glo 4 cycles ) ;-)) I have served as the District VP for NSRCA District 7 and have held other positions within the NSRCA and model clubs both here in District 7 and also in District 6 when I lived in Colorado. Currently, my home field is the SAM field in Sacramento but also fly at Ione frequently.
Bill Wallace - Masters. Started in RC in early eighties and flew in my first pattern contest in late eighties. After my Phoenix 8 crashed in 1990 I stopped flying then until 1997. I then renewed my acquaintance with my current flying partner, and mentor, Glen Dean and started flying pattern again. I started off in intermediate and did pretty well, and have been enjoying moving up through the ranks ever since. I am currently flying an E=MC3 with a Webra 160MC and JR 9303. I also have a Focus II that is ready to be dialed in (winter project). I just finished my second year as advanced class champion in District 7 so I will be moving up to masters next year and back to the bottom of the barrel again. Because of our constant pursuit for perfection, pattern can be frustrating at times (my wife keeps asking me if this is supposed to be fun or not), but the challenges and sense of accomplishment involved when you do score those 9's, or on those rare occasions 10's, makes it all worthwhile.
Jon Carter – Masters. Well, it looks like Masters again for 2007! I finished 2006 with some improvements in my flying (Thanks Scott!) and with a lot of areas to work on (I have to learn how to roll!) A group of us have started working on the 2007 patterns on both the simulator and the "real" things. It looks like it's going to be a fun and challenging year. I don't have much building to do this winter as I am lucky enough to have two birds ready for competition. I will be flying an Oxai Beryll with the Hacker C50 14XL Competition setup this year. None of you guys better forget, the sheriff is near! See you guys out at the field!(Jon did win his first ever Masters contest in 2006 and WILL make a repeat performance in 2007! sc)
Ron Davies---Intermediate---The world famous "chicken" is being retired. The new 'Space Chicken" is ready to leave it's pen. Hope to have two new pattern planes ready for the 2007 season. Dick Belden, Don Atwood, and Frank Capone have not given up on me and are still helping me improve my flying and building skills. Will continue to provide the great lunches for the Sacramento Contests. Will be performing the duties of Treasurer for NSRCA in 2007. Ron's new 2007 Venus can be seen by clicking on his picture.
2007 updates above this line
Derek Koopowitz - FAI. I have been flying R/C since 1984 and actively flying in Pattern contests since 1996. I've been flying a Focus II for about a year now and I'm working on an Impact which will be ready next year. I'm the AMA District X R/C Aerobatics Contest Board representative and I'm also the Northern California Contest/Fly-in coordinator for all R/C events in the area. I belong to two R/C clubs - BARCS (Bay Area RC Society) and NBRC (North Bay RC) - and I've been an active officer of BARCS from 1992 until 2000 serving as Secretary and then Vice President. I’m currently on the board for BARCS and also run their website.
Bob Hixon - Advanced. Been active in pattern since 1988. Retired now. Used to fly AMA control line models in the "Stunt" classification, which is a type of pattern. Love the equipment and social aspects of competition flying. Prefer to design and scratch build my own pattern ships. That way I can learn from the best ideas, and put them all together in one model, and make everything fit... Prefer foam wings, balsa fuselages, and O.S. 1.40 RX engines. Like electric power, but hate to think of giving up my piston engines... Best over-heard quotes at contests: "It must be easy to fly these things, because no one is crashing"... and: "Flying pattern is a calling, not just a hobby" and finally: "a day flying pattern is not subtracted from your lifetime"
Jim Kimbro - FAI. I was born into a R. C. family. I flew U-control until 1970 when at the age of 14 I got my first R.C. It was an Ugly Stick with an OS 60 Gold Head and a Kraft Series 70 four channel. My uncle taught me to fly and my dad taught me to build. He was an excellent builder and loved to spend hours gluing, sanding and doping. I entered my first contest in 1971. I won my first contest in October 1973, Class B. I won my first FAI contest in 1976 just after the Nats. I went to work for Pro Line Electronics in the summer of 1973. Then, I went to work for Kraft Systems in August of 1974. I worked there for 5 years. I attended the Nats and flew FAI in 1974-78, 80, 84, finishing 4th in ‘77 and 5th in ’84. I attended the team trials from 1977-89, I finished 5th once, 6th three times 9th, 11th, 12th. In 1989 I retired from national competition to concentrate on family and work. Between 1993 and 1998 I attended a hand full of contests. In 2006 I decided to try my hand at local competition again. I also designed and flew my own designs, one being the Deception. My nickname is Smokin’ (you figure it out).
Greg Frohreich - FAI. I was taught to fly R/C by a man that enjoyed the precision of maneuvers of an airplane weather it be full size or models. He had done all his competing in full size and was able to meet new people and see the world because of it. I took what I learn from him and started to compete back in 1978 and regularly started flying contest contests in 1980. He always said winning is fun and but learning new things and being around good people are more important than always being number one. If you do it this way and never loose site of that than you will always be the winner. So I have taken what I learn from him and others after him and applied to my flying, I set several goals and have accomplished most of them there are still a few to do so I will be around for some time yet. And as always if you need some help just ask you may get more than you wish.
Tony Roberts - Sportsman. I became enthralled with pattern flying at the age eight, when my Dad took me to my first Air Show at McClellan AFB in Sacramento back in the 1970's. I remember being blown away by how straight and true the pattern planes flew. At the ripe old age of 13, I convince (begged) my Dad to buy me my first R/C airplane and my goal was then, and still is, to become an excellent R/C pattern pilot. More recently, Mr. Frank Capone encouraged me to get more involved in pattern flying and later on he took me under his wing and helped me set up my first nice pattern ship, a Zen 90. I entered my first contest back in 2003. I’m currently flying a Zen 120 with a YS F-120. Next year I already have another Zen 120 on my work bench and I’m hoping to add a full two-meter pattern ship along with my Zen’s for 2006.
Dave Wick - Sportsman. I'm the guy with the 1 meter Focus. I've been a modeler all my life, flying rubber power and then control line. My first radio control set had tubes ! And, yes it did work reliably. After many years doing other things, designing operating rc submarines, flying rc helicopters, I got back into rc planes and due to Don Atwoods coniving I got hooked on the Pattern flying this year . I made most of the contests, and was even lucky enough to place in some of them! It started out as a joke with the little plane, but somehow I seem to have gotten caught up in it. Next year I will be flying larger plane which everyone assures me will make life easier and scores higher! But, I think the high cost of the larger electrics will force me to go to glo power again. Initially I'll be flying an Infinity 90 until I can get a full 2 meter plane built.
Ken Nelson - Intermediate. After 12 years off from pattern, and spending the first 4 years in California without even flying, it was clear that work/life balance was out of balance. I flew at the Wavemasters contest in September '04 with my old and repaired (heavy) Summit 3 and was hooked again. I picked up a used Patriot, and am having a blast!
Chris Johnson - Sportsman. I’ve been flying nine years. I do love pattern flying but also enjoy the scale stuff. I haven’t flown a contest but do intend on trying. I do love the contest environment that goes along with attending contests, the guys are great. I fly a Focus with an OS 140 RX for power, I use a JR 8103. The plane is very docile and very responsive. I did recover the plane and it will be unveiled at the Fresno contest. I look forward to seeing everyone at the contest.
Wayne Lovett - Sportsman. I started flying about two years ago, and when I saw my first pattern plane fly ( Lynn Burkes - like a shark thru water, gliding effortlessly) I was hooked. Lynn Burkes is my mentor and I am learning the ins and outs of flying and building planes, and flying in the wind!!!! I am presently flying a excelleron 90 (brand new for me and I have a spare I am putting together as we speak). Lynn and Chris Johnson gave me a saphir which I am slowly building and learning how to fiberglass a plane, I love building planes as much as flying them (time permitting). I have been to the judging school this last session in Ontario and learned a lot about pattern flying. I look forward to the competition ,the camaraderie , and talking about planes and flying.
Chris Belden - Sportsman. Coming from a family where my father, Dick Belden, flew pattern, I grew up with pattern flying in my blood. I always wanted to fly pattern since I was a child. Finally, in May, 2004, I flew in my first pattern contest and loved it. I've had a lot of fun so far and my flying continues to improve. I am completing the ICEPOINT at this time and will have it ready soon. I look forward to flying the ICEPOINT in next years competition.

Still several pilots not accounted for!