A Tribute to:Roy and Dorothy Speights
 Left, Roy & Dorothy, May 6th, 2006, Ione ContestBelow, Roy, Fresno, 5/2006  
Roy and Dorothy are appreciated by most of today's Nor Cal pattern flyers, as they have touched our lives in some way. Roy, Dorothy; Thanks for your years of help!
In 1998 Roy finished 26th in FAI, in 1999 he finished 20th. In 2000 he placed 23rd in Masters, in 2001 he was 18th in Masters, 2002, 29th in Masters, 2003, 11th in Masters and 2004 he was 23rd in Masters.
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| I met Roy and Dorothy when I entered my first contest (some year South of 1985), the
old EBRC field in Pleasanton. I was flying a Superfly 25 in Advanced and Roy came up and was very
encouraging, commenting on how well I was doing in my first contest. Dorothy was judging and also spent
time with me on the finer aspects of pattern flying. Roy and Dorothy have always been very helpful,
willing to share a bed in their mobile home, and if you are hungry - look no farther. This 'team' has
influenced many of today's District 7 pattern pilots, and no doubt, many more around the United
States. Scott Covey
ROY AND DORTHY SPEIGHTS.
During the early 80's when I was living in Denver I met Dorothy and Roy at a contest in Los Vegas when a
couple friends and I decided to drive down for the late October contest. Dorothy and Roy were there
from California and that is where we first met. Dorothy was judging my first flight when I went
dead-stick just before my last maneuver (4 pt roll). I finished the maneuver then turned around and
landed. I remember Dorothy's comment about 'the rule book doesn't say the engine must be running to be
scored' and the other judges changed their score from a zero. My competitors weren't real happy with the
call but I was. Thanks, Dorothy!!!
Just about everything has been said by Bob Hixon so eloquently that there isn't too much left to say.
Nobody along the Pattern trail has been as helpful as Roy Speights . Roy has always been willing to
share his knowledge with the rest of mere mortals in hopes that we would stay with Pattern and become
better flyers. Roy is just glad to be at the contests just like Bud Garric was years ago . Roy has
always been a tough competitor but never mean spirited and I think he's coming back as strong as ever.
If you ever needed a dose of humility , Dorothy was the one to hand it out , totally honest . A
very good judge in years previous and I think she single-handedly might be responsible for the normalized
scoring system that we have today. Years ago the judges that were the toughest had their scores thrown
out because they were the lowest ones and if the truth be known , they were the best judges. Now of
course its done with percentages.
Roy and Dorothy I'm glad you're back and I hope to see you at many more contests !!!!
My feeling about Roy & Dorothy are similar to what most have already
said. Sure I could add a few stories about how Roy was always the first
guy to step up and offer you anything he had. All he wanted to do was
make sure I or anyone else got their airplane back in the air ASAP.
However, some of the things I remember have a funny side, Some of the
stories will actually bring a tear to your eye from the laughter. I can
remember times from 20 years ago when Roy would actually take parts from
his Datsun pick-up truck just to get his plane repaired. One time I
remember him re-attaching the YS engine to his Conquest with screws
stolen from the camper shell of his truck. Then there was the time at
RENO when he tried to rid the pit area of a swarm of Termites using a
Blow-Torch. We all laughed until he took the Blow-Torch into his Bounder
motor home; I can still see Dorothy chasing him out with a broom in one
hand and a fly-swatter in the other. It's hard to even say the name Roy
without also saying Dorothy. Roy & Dorothy have been a big part of my
life. We used to always celebrate their wedding anniversary at
Sacramento during the September pattern contest. Then I screwed it up by
moving our contest to October. Happy Anniversary I love you both.
Their influence
went far beyond district 7. I first met them in Medford in the early 80's.
Roy introduced me to CA hinges which where available from Radio South at the
time and soft motor mounts which as I remember he made from silicon rubber
(the rectangular blocks that encapsulated the mounting lug on each side of
the motor).
I remember having brain fade on a double immelmann where I did a full roll
on top and decided to just push under and full roll out. Dorothy and I had a
good laugh about it after I landed. There were many more pleasant encounters
over the next 10 or 15 years.
I returned to pattern last year after about 7 years out and was very happy
to see them at the labor day contest in Creswell.
I will watch for the 2007 District schedule.
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These two wonderful, constantly "sunny" folks have done more for
the pattern community than anyone I know.
They are, indeed icons in the pattern community.
They make you feel right at "home" whenever they see you, or
where ever you are.
They have single handedly made the pattern community
feel like "family" and home...
Dorothy generously hands out hugs.
She used to be a constant
judge at contests; always a knowledgeable resource for the
finest of points on flying, rule book regulations, and sequences.
Safe to say, when she was
judging, no one could "sneak" anything past her...
She did not fly, but she knew all about it.....
Roy always has a broad smile, and a warm
handshake to match Dorothy's hugs.
They are always glad to see you, and they make you feel more
than welcome in there presence, or in their ubiquitous motor home;
where I personally have enjoyed more than a few wonderful meals,
some memorable conversations, a few off color jokes, and several
much appreciated sleep overs...
One time I met Chip Hyde when he was a
teen, in their motor home. He had stopped bye to chat with these
two great folks; and bask in their warmth.
Roy and Dorothy helped me at my first couple of pattern contests; literally
survive the elements; as well as give me much greatly needed information to fly in competition.
I would have probably frozen to death accept they
welcomed me to sleep in their motor home one winter contest
in the California desert.
Roy always has interesting tech data and operational information
on engines and the latest aircraft. He will share this with whoever asks.
Roy has life perspective to help us all understand pattern better. Before
r/c, Roy flew control line models. He has many great stories to tell
about these days, as well as early pattern situations.
Roy and Dorothy can party right along with the best of them.
He can drag out and strum the old guitar, and Dorothy will sing along in
wonderful and hilarious "pattern" adjusted songs...
If you have not heard these songs, you have
greatly missed something !!
If you look up "pattern flying" in the great dictionary in the sky, you will see
a picture of Roy and Dorothy. They are as close to the hobby / sport
as you can come.
We, and the entire pattern community would be much less well off
without them.
I feel greatly privileged to know these two wonderful people.
May they continue to populate and enrich the pattern community.
I have known Roy and Dorothy for the last 9 years. I met them at my first ever Pattern contest in
Woodland CA. They told me what to do and when to do it! Since then it has always been a real high point
of going to any contest to see them and get a hug from Dorothy and learn something from Roy. They are
among those rare people who you meet in life that inspire you and leave you with a warm feeling every
time you see them. They are a great asset to our Pattern world.