Fun In The Sun Pattern Contest
TCRCM R/C Field, Richland, WA
Written by Rex Lesher, NSRCA District 8 Vice President

The 4th of July weekend is always the "Fun In The Sun" contest in Richland, Wa.  We usually venture up there to battle the 100+ degreed temps.  This year, the temps were a mild mid 80s, the air was nice and thick.....  PERFECT!  Friday, however was a different story...  Oh ya, the weather was great.  All except the wind.  Howling was the order of the day.  One could have flown in it, but it wouldn't have been much fun.

That morning, Jerry Green and myself left Eugene around 5 AM, so we could get up there and get in a few flights...  instead, we went to Gordon's house and drank a few beers, practicing for dinner at the favorite Mexican food joint.  Gordon's wife Meri, the proverbial designated driver, chauffeured us, as usual...  I'm not saying we make a habit of this, but it's nice to have someone around that can make sound decisions in the clutch.  Seven of us made the Mexican food pilgrimage, and then retired for the evening.  We woke Saturday morning to "Lovely" weather.  Mild temps, not much breeze...  It was a frenzy of  tent city building and airplane assembly.  We had 14 pilots this time around.  We also had three new pilots for their first Patten contest...  well, sort of!  For those of you who have been at this game for quite a few years,  you may recognized one of those names in Sportsman.  Fred Stong started flying pattern when it was invented.  It's been 25 years since he has flown in a pattern contest, and he graced us with his presence!  He is a member of the the Richland club and I get to visit with him quite a bit as I travel up there several times a year.  It was a lot of fun having him competing again!  Thanks for coming Fred!  Also, the "Brothers Stebbins", Scott and Tim made it to their first contest...  They were accompanied by their dad, who called for them.  It's great to have you guys aboard!  They haven't gotten to get much practice in, but made a good showing, and I'm sure they had a good time.  I know they were smiling a lot!   Remember in the last contest, I mentioned that Will Holford was getting some ribbing  about needing to move up?  Well, he moved up alright!!!  He jumped right into Advanced!  Good Job Will...  I gave him a little nickname, and it's well deserved.  "Good Will H. Hunting"   I'm here to tell you that he is definitely in  "The Hunt" and with continuing practice and contests, he will be a force! 

Saturday was pretty uneventful and we just flew along to get three rounds in.  By the  end of the day, the wind was starting to pick up, everyone was starting to feel the desert heat.  We decided to call it a day and meet at the Pizza parlor, in preparation for finishing up Sunday.  Ya, it was a MAJOR social event!   We planned on starting early the next morning, and just keep flying to get in all the rounds so we could get out of town fairly early.  The first flight on Sunday left the ground just after 8 AM.  We really only had one mishap in this contest.  Ray Gauthier's engine decided to quit just after take  off and he had started to turn down wind for his trim pass.  He turned back to the field to land and the plane touched down a little hot and rolled to the fence where the  left wing tip made contact and broke the center pin that locates the wing in the fuse.

The battle in Sportsman was a tough fought battle and could have gone any way at any time.  I was glad to see Jerry Green back at the contest scene...   it was easy to do.  A little Chloroform on a cloth, and throw him in the truck!  He did a great job for only having six practice flights this year...  Way to go Jerry!  It was also nice to have Dennis Cone back for a contest...  He's been working out of town way too much to get much practice in, but he has his Gasser running pretty well after sorting a few things out.  I can tell you that this plane has tremendous power and is definitely an option for those looking for something other than alcohol or electric.  I'm going to try to get Dennis to do a write up on his project...  HINT HINT!  Late in the contest, the wind was getting to a dull roar, and the FAI guys decided to not fly round six.  The contest was pretty much decided already, and it was starting to get around time to get on the road.

 I want to thank Debbie Bowen for bringing us lunch both days.  She brought Subway sandwiches and accessories  to us.  Way to go Debbie!  They really hit the spot!

Sportsman                             
                Craig G. Christensen            4000.00
                Fred Stong                             3926.73
                Scott Stebbins                        3589.72
                Tim Stebbins                          2996.88
Intermediate                         
                Jerry Green                           4000.00
                Ray Gauthier                         2727.91
Advanced                              
                Jim Hiller                               4000.00
                Bill Carder                             3722.40
                Will Holford                           3585.01
Masters                  
                Bill Bowen                              4000.00
                Dennis Cone                          3316.61
FAI P09                 
                Gary McClellan                     3981.72
                Gordon Anderson                 3840.53
                Rex Lesher                            3694.10

Click here to see scores for all rounds.

Click here to see more pictures!