Molalla, Oregon is located just south and east of Portland Oregon. Grant Sharp’s home is located right next to his field just on the outskirts of Molalla and was home to the third annual Molalla Pattern Challenge. This contest was CDed by Bill Carder. We had a small group of pilots and needed only one flight line. We were able to fly 4 rounds on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. We wrapped up about noon on Sunday providing driving time to the out of town pilots.

The Molalla contestants.

The weather was pretty good all weekend we had light winds that were mostly cross wind, isn’t always that way? The skies were clear and very warm temperatures. I’d have to rate it just about perfect contest weather specially since the little bit of wind we had defined the flight direction as right to left, my preferred direction!

We had a new Sportsman pilot at this contest, Carl Green. Unfortunately Carl did not have anyone to fly against because Ray Gauthier had a bit of a mishap on Friday and was unable to enter the contest. Carl had a great time and learned a lot over the weekend. I was impressed with Carl’s flying skills and he will move up through the ranks pretty fast.

Carl Green at his first Pattern contest.

Intermediate is getting to be a pretty competitive class. Todd Cook joined us and flew in Intermediate. Todd won at the RAMS contest and moved to Intermediate at this contest. It was back and forth all weekend between Todd and Jerry Green. Bill Carder had some engine trouble on Saturday and set him back a bit, all three pilots won at least one round in this contest. The contest came down to the last round and Jerry won by only 15 points. You guys better practice and get ready for the next contest!

Todd Cook getting some last minute advice from Rex.

Gordon Anderson won Masters with Gary McClellan only 6 points behind! This was a hard fought battle all weekend. Gary had a servo problem that cost him the first round. This was a little scary because he had very little up elevator and had to land his Angel in the rough. He did a great job setting it down and did not hurt a thing. Lyle loaned him a servo and he was back in the game the next round. Ray McClellan lost his backup Icepoint on Friday in the practice session. It looked like some kind of interference problem. Ray joined the event but decided not to fly, he is heading to the NATS after this contest with only his primary Icepoint. Gary, Ray, Rex, Bill Carder, and Gordon are all on there way to the NATS next week!

D8 pattern regulars, Bill Bowen, Lyle Laughery, and Dennis Cone waiting their turn.

Lyle Laughery and Dennis Cone were our only two FAI pilots and they had a great time all weekend. These two guys started flying the P07 FAI routine in July and are improving with every flight. The routine is complex with lots of opportunities to roll the wrong way or push when you should have pulled etc. The judges saw a few interesting and unique maneuvers this weekend! In the end Lyle won FAI but I know Dennis had just as much fun.

Dennis fetches Lyle’s Oly after an entertaining round!

Sportsman                   

1st        	4000.00           	Carl Green

Intermediate                

1st        	3926.55           	Jerry Green

2nd        	3911.63           	Todd Cook

3rd        	3735.39           	Bill Carder

Masters                        

1st        	3998.71           	Gordon Anderson

2nd        	3992.53           	Gary McClellan

3rd        	3899.95           	Rex (slow roll) Lesher

4th        	3845.96           	Bill Bowen

5th                                	Ray McClellan

FAI                 

1st        	4000.00           	Lyle Laughery

2nd        	3892.85           	Dennis Cone

Click here to see scores for all rounds.

The social activities at this contest are as much fun as the competition. We have a Friday night tradition of Mexican food at the local restaurant. We always challenge there setting capacity and this Friday was no exception. We arrived with 11 hungry pilots and significant others. We crammed into seating designed for 8 and had a great time. After we stuffed ourselves, Grant took us across the street and treated us to ice-cream. Friday was a lot of fun!

Saturday after the flying was over we had a BBQ dinner, more like a feast, at Grant’s house just across from the field. This is also a tradition of this contest and we all had a good time eating and visiting about the day’s events. I seem to remember Gary telling Gordon that he was going to be in trouble on Sunday! There was also a lot of talk about an almost perfect slow roll from Rex, so we are now calling him slow roll Rex! We were all sorry that Grant did not fly but he has been busy with work and did not have time to get this plane ready for the event, he promises to join us later in the season. It was nice to meet Grant’s new girl friend, Debra, a very nice young lady.

Grand Sharp serving a great dinner.

What a great contest! Thanks to Grant Sharp, our host, and Bill Carder our CD and to all the local fliers who helped make this contest a great time.

Our proud CD Bill Carder.

See you in the pits…

Click here to see more pictures!