2009 F3B Series

North Island, NEW ZEALAND

Contest 1 - APril 25-26 - Matamata

Rained Out

Report by David James:

Yeah well in case you were wondering what the results were - there was no contest. It was a wet and windy weekend in Matamata. Around midday on Sunday we thought the rain might hold off long enough to set up and fly some speed - but no. We ended up packing up in the rain. Thanks to the f3b guys for entering and for a good social weekend.

Contest 2 - June 20-21 - Hawkes Bay

Summary - Round 1 - Round 2 - Round 3

Report by Kevin Botherway:

We managed 2 full rounds on the Saturday with quite hard conditions with quite a strong southerly wind which although the temp was around 10 degrees it brought the wind chill down to near zero and had quite a few breaks for light rain. A great night out on the Saturday night for a meal/beer and rugby had by all.

Sunday came along with a very strong southerly and once again very cool. We eventually packed up after two the two final slots of duration recorded with wind strength building all the time. Sadly Pete Barrell lost his crossfire on the winchline and Aneil damaged his vertical stab. Well done to the new Hawkes Bay competitor –Joe Wurts 1st and to both David James 2nd and Peter Williams 3rd.

Thanks to everyone for keeping on going and really putting effort into flying in Not the usual HB conditions……However I did get burnt!!!! (wind burnt) I should put my suntan lotion on.

Quickest speed – Joe 18.03 distance laps Craig 20. Joe also got the soaring meeting trophy for not only managing a 2.16 duration time but also touch and go on the fence with his glider at the other end of the field.

Contest 3 - August 1-2 - Matamata (Waikato Champs)

Summary - Round 1 - Round 2

Report by David James:

A good friday night session started things nicely. Saturday was a bit showery with rain due - we could see it on the iPhone weather radar. After a few zzzz's and half the morning, a spell on sunshine saw winches and the course setup. Then it rained - damn it allways happens. Packed up before the next rain shower.
Sunday was much better. 2 rounds flown with some of the guys doing personal best scores. Dave Larsen set a new NZ speed record of 15.59sec only to have Kevin Botherway take it off him with a 15.58sec run. Highest number of laps in distance was 24 flown by Dave & Les Stockley.
So Dave won the Waikato F3B trophy and Chris got awarded the "woody" trophy for going home early.

Contest 4 - September 26-27 - Hawkes Bay

Summary - Round 1 - Round 2 - Round 3 - Round 4 - Round 5

Report by Kevin Botherway:

Fantastic weekend had by all I am sure the weather being slightly overcast on the Saturday with a light southerly great conditions as per usual in Hawke’Bay with the way the numbers stacked we managed three full rounds and got home in time to watch Hawke’ Bay beat Manawatu in the NPC rugby Go the bay! Then off to the Steak out in Havelock for the evening to watch a few pilots digest some large amounts of fantastic steak and beer. Unfortunately Ken Duffell had a wedding in the afternoon and managed only two rounds for the weekend.

Sunday dawned the usual HB day with not a cloud in the sky and no wind later (yep-sun tan lotion needed) in the afternoon it was a light sea breeze but we did pick the right set up for winches for once. We managed two full rounds with Wayne Bilham returning from retirement to fly Sunday only (still very competitive) and Ted Bealing withdrawing unfortunately not feeling well.

Distance most laps were 23 Peter Barrell and fastest speed 17.31 Kevin Botherway

Congratulations to Dave James who won the “woody” for the weekend after landing ON my pristine Ceries F3b glider after a distance slot and completely smashing the v tails off and damaging the rear of the fuselage……….spose that’s how ya knock out your opposition though!

 Well done Peter Williams great flying throughout the weekend shame you haven’t progressed to JR yet! There is no doubt everyone is improving and flying ability is improving all the time another great effort by Richard Thompson who flew very consistently all weekend .

Special thanks goes to Dave James who helped co CD this event with me.

Contest 5 - November 21-22 - Palmerston North

Update by David James:

Round 5 of the F3B series was cancelled 9.30 Sunday morning after high winds on Saturday followed by heavy rain Saturday night. Sunday morning greeted us with drizzle and low cloud.

Thanks to the guys for making the trip to Palmy.