Contest
4 of the
1999 JR
/ Airsail F3B Series,
hosted
by MPMAC at Matamata,
on
September 11-12, 1999.
CD:
Kevern Oliver
Summary, Round 1,
Round 2, Round 3,
Round 4, Round 5
Warwick Gatland managed to gain us the use
of an absolutely awesome field for this contest, which is also the Waikato F3B
Champs. Approx 500m square and used for crops, so no cow s#@t to contend with.
Of course there was the tree smack in the middle, but no-one hit that so no
problem...
Weather was also great, starting out calm
but with the wind building toward the end of the first round - unfortunately not
in the predicted direction... The first two speed rounds were flown with about
10kts of wind at 120 degrees to the winch lines! Man did that create some fun
with a lot of fliers struggling to finish their 4 legs. Good launch technique
was essential to get a decent time. After speed the winches and course were
realigned, at which point the wind started to die off - bl#&y typical!
Sunday saw a constant wind at about 10kts all day, and only one short break for
rain.
Both days provided plenty of lift and
companion sink, which cycled through quite rapidly. On one duration group the
sink came through so fast and strong that it was won with a time of less than 5
minutes, and 3 of the models never made the landing area even thought they were
all upwind when it hit!
Overall another great contest, with a
really good turnout and not too much carnage. Special thanks to Warwick for
arranging the superb field, Kevern Oliver for CD'ing, and Lapo Nustrini for
helping out on the bases both days.
