Emerald Aircorp 22nd Annual Pattern Contest
Creswell, Oregon
Written by Gordon & Meri Anderson, NSRCA District 8 Vice President
The Emerald Air Corp season closer in Creswell, OR was another huge success! All classes were well represented with 27 pilot’s total. In addition to the D8 regulars we had a great turnout from our neighboring D7. There were six that made the trip; Roy Speights, Craig Blodgett, Derek Koopowitz, Frank Capone, Mike Miller, and Bob Obregon. The location for this contest provides easy traveling distance for D7 fliers. From Canada we had three pilots; Hartley Hughson, Andrew Beranek, and Ron Kennedy. This was Ron’s first time at this contest, hopefully not his last. He and his wife, Joan were in the neighborhood camping and were able to take the time to join us.
Creswell Emerald Air Corp group.
We had a few new faces at this contest; Carl Green, Kyle Wilson, and Rick Bergeron. Carl was able to attend a couple D8 contests earlier this season but this was his first time at this contest. This was Kyle’s first pattern contest; his brother Sean flew pattern for the first time at our Redmond contest. We are very excited to have the Wilson boys flying with us and hope they can talk Dad into joining in next year. We are also very happy to have Rick Bergeron join us. He is new to D8 flying in the Masters class; we look forward to seeing Rick at all the contests next season.
Rick Bergeron from Sweet Home, D8’s new Master pilot.
If there was a prize for the best packed automobile it would have to go to Pavel Safarik. He made the long trip from Seattle in his small sedan loaded with two planes, camping gear and food!
Bill Bowens new Panacea on landing approach.
The weather was perfect! We flew 3 rounds on Saturday and 3 on Sunday, with the flying starting at 8 AM. Gary McClellan did his usual great job of keeping the two flight lines running smoothly and efficiently. With 27 pilots you have to do a lot of rounding people up for judging and keeping the ready box full. Jennifer, Gary’s daughter, came out of “retirement” to run the scoring program. She did a fantastic job keeping up with the paper work.
Roy Speights helps Ray McClellan program his Futaba.
There were three aircraft mishaps. Sean, our new pilot from Redmond, lost his aircraft when it went into the pasture next to the field due to radio problems. Andrew totaled his Hydeaway when he snapped, breaking the wing right off. Brett saved his Hydeout when he experienced radio trouble right after take-off, he had a real rough landing and experienced some damage.
Sportsman
1st Kyle Wilson 4000.00
2nd Carl Green 3976.22
3rd Sean Wilson 2254.86
Intermediate
1st Mike Miller 4000.00
2nd Jerry Green 3858.47
3rd Ray Gauthier 3422.69
Advanced
1st Jim Hiller 4000.00
2nd Steve Sterling 3550.75
3rd Bill Carder 3435.27
4th Andrew Beranek 3415.02
5th Dave Kephart 3397.14
6th Bob Walker 3042.74
Masters
1st Brett Bowen 4000.00
2nd Frank Capone 3984.95
3rd Roy Speights 3850.54
4th Robert Obregon 3838.90
5th Bill Bowen 3668.11
6th Ron Kennedy 3373.01
7th Rick Bergeron 3221.23
8th Hartley Hughson 2927.36
9th Ray McClellan 2027.83
FAI
1st Craig Blodgett 4000.00
2nd Derek Koopowitz 3846.69
3rd Gary McClellan 3634.89
4th Rex Lesher 3517.92
5th Gordon Anderson 3302.60
6th Pavel Safarik 3014.63
Click here to see scores for all rounds.
Steve Sterling packed his Focus in his Cessna and flew to the contest!
The points are doubled for this contest so the competition for District champ usually heats up with this contest. Going into this contest there were some tied and very close points. The district point champions were named and presented with a certificate at the end of the contest, here are the champs:
Sportsman = Carl Green
Intermediate = Jerry Green
Advanced = Jim Hiller
Masters = Brett Bowen
FAI = Gary McClellan
Ray and Mary McClelland were named D8’s MVP’s. Ray and Mary make this contest a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend. Mary is in charge of the raffle, which is a huge part of the fun at this contest as well as organizing all the cooking. Mary starts working on collecting items for the next years contest on the Monday after this one raps up.
Ray and Mary McClellan, D8s 2007 MVPs.
Saturday night BBQ.
Well that is it for the D8 2007 pattern contest season. It was a great year and we are very excited about the new contest we picked up in Redmond along with the new D8 pattern pilots that joined us. We expect a couple additional pilots to join the action in 2008 so we are anticipating a great season next year. I would like to thank all the CD’s for their hard work this season as well as all the behind the scenes people who put in lots of hours making the contest fun. And finally thanks to the pilots for supporting all the contests and helping with judging and all the things you are asked to do, it’s been a great year.
Can’t wait to see you in the pits…
Click here to see more pictures!