April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 43,44,45,46,47,48
April 2009 43
by Dave Garwood
with the wind
in your face
THE MIDWEST Slope Challenge (MWSC)
is the longest continually running RC
Slope Soaring event in the US. The 15th
annual edition, held May 15-18 last year,
hosted 25 pilots from Colorado, Illinois,
Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Tennessee, Texas, and Nassau, Bahamas.
The MWSC is run by the Wings Over
Wilson (WOW) club, which is located in
Lucas, Kansas, near Wilson Lake in Russell
County. The contest site—the Wilson Lake
Reservoir—features a 100-mile shoreline,
surrounded by hills that are suitable for Slope
Soaring in several wind directions.
The flying opportunities on both public
and private land are enhanced with a high
level of cooperation by the US Army Corps of
Engineers, which operates the lake, and the
generosity of local cattle ranchers who allow
us to fly from their land. In addition to having
treeless hills and plenty of wind, this part of
Kansas is home to three Slope Soaring
designers and kit makers: Eaton Air RC,
Edge RC, and Leading Edge Gliders (LEG).
On top of all this, many find central
Kansas and the MWSC to be a superb flying
vacation destination. Several pilots stay at
Wilson Lake for a week or more of relaxed
flying before and after the event.
Thursday May 15 was a practice day on
the MWSC calendar. It was a travel day
for some and a flying day at Palmer’s
Pasture for others, and the evening’s
activities included the registration meeting
and a social time with old friends.
Alexander Paul’s (Nassau, Bahamas) Schweizer
1-26 over Palmer’s Pasture on a noncompetition
day before MWSC official-event days.
Wild times
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 43
Left: Dave Garwood’s (Albany NY) Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star over Wilson
Lake. The 60-inch-span LEG kit model is built from bounceable EPP foam and
covered with Solartex heat-shrink fabric.
Above: Todd Martin (Wichita KS) launches Joe Chovan’s (Syracuse NY) Trinity,
and Cory Shantz (Denver CO) is about to launch David Day’s (Crosby TX) Acacia
in Unlimited.
Foamie Combat at Lawson’s Pasture. Nearly 20 bounceable “Nerf” airplanes gain
a point each time they knock an opponent’s model out of the air. Downed aircraft
are picked up and relaunched.
44 MODEL AVIATION
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:52 AM Page 44
April 2009 45
Above: One Design Racers turn and burn in the race at Minooka Hill. Wilson Lake is in
the background.
Left: A perfect sailplane for the winds and topography at Wilson Lake. David Day flies
a 3-meter-span DAW Schleicher Ka6E foamie in the surprise F3F race on Sunday. Alex
Paul photo.
Above: Justin Ammon (Lucas KS) coaches his 7-year-old son,
Darren Ammon (Lucas KS), in the ODR Class. Darren flies a
Magnum Models Cobra Racer. “A man never stands so tall as
when he stoops to help a child.”
Right: Rob Koch (Holyrood KS) launches his MM Glider Tech P-80
into slope lift at Wilson Lake on a practice day before the foamie
Warbird race.
Photos by the author except as noted
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:27 AM Page 45
46 MODEL AVIATION
Eleven-year-old Steven Ammon (Lucas KS) returns to the
paddock after finishing a heat in the ODR Class. He flies a PoleCat
Aeroplane Works Hammerhead fiberglass One Design Racer.
Late-day flying at Lawson’s Pasture after the Combat match. Alex
Paul prepares to launch a Bowman Comanche. Joe Chovan’s
Arctic Fox and Rich Loud’s (Ballston Spa NY) DAW Schleicher
Ka6E are in the air.
Recreational flying before MWSC event days. Joe Chovan’s LEG
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star (blue tips) and Dave Garwood’s P-80
Shooting Star (red tips) over Wilson Lake.
F3F instructor Justin Ammon flew this F3B Icon, by Maple Leaf in
Tucson AZ, in the Sunday event. The model is shown on final
landing approach with flaps deployed.
A laid-back flying day on the south side of Wilson Lake in the days before the event. Wayne Rigby (Clifton Park NY), Rich Loud, Joe
Chovan, and Tom Hick (Schenectady NY) wait for the wind to build. It did, to 12-15 mph that day, and we flew for hours.
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:54 AM Page 46
April 2009 47
Foam Warbird race launch at the beginning of a heat. Left to right
are Justin Ammon, Erik Eaton (Hays KS), Dennis Brown (Wichita
KS), Tom Wild (Lincoln NE), Mike Tallman (Wichita KS), Rich
Loud. Paul photo.
Alexander Paul’s Magnum Models Northrop F-5 Tiger slope jet
in aggressor squadron markings flies close by the ridge in
Palmer’s Pasture in the days before the MWSC.
Overall Champion
Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY)
Foamie Combat
Pilot Model
1. David Day (Crosby TX) Combat Wings Cyclone
2. Cory Shantz (Littleton CO) Combat Wings XR
3. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Windrider Aviation EPP Bee
ODR Class
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) CR Aircraft Fun-One
2. Jack Barry (Lincoln NE) Eaton Air Duster
2. Larry Blevins (Knoxville TN) Magnum Models Cobra Racer
3. Erik Eaton (Hays KS) Eaton Air Bad Voodoo
4. Jim Baker (Lincoln NE) CR Aircraft Fun-One
Unlimited Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Soaring USA Trinity
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Mike Bailey 100-Incher
3. Joe Hosey (Topeka KS) Steve Drake Gulp
Warbird Racing
Pilot Model
1. Joe Chovan (Syracuse NY) Leading Edge Gliders F-80 Shooting Star
2. Dennis Brown (Wichita KS) Caudron C.714
3. Dave Garwood (Albany NY) Leading Edge Gliders P-63 Kingcobra
MWSC 2008 Trophy Winners
Mike Tallman: CD, AMA District IX vice president
Alden Shipp: Event director
Larry Purdy: Far pylon judge, WOW vice president
Kent Palmer: Far pylon flagman, WOW field safety officer
Scott Sielge: Far pylon flagman, WOW member
Wilson Hardy: Far pylon flagman
Randy Linderman: Far pylon flagman
Erik Eaton: WOW president, T-shirt designer
Kent Palmer: Field setup and equipment
Justin Ammon: F3F course setup, F3F CD
Steven Ammon: F3F pylon signalman
MWSC 2008 Sponsors
Aerospace Composite Products (www.acp-composites.com)
Balsa USA (www.balsausa.com)
Dream Flight (www.dream-flight.com)
Eaton Air RC (www.eatonairrc.com)
Eric Abraham Porcelain (www.ericabraham.net)
Edge RC (www.edgerc.com)
Great Planes Model Manufacturing (www.greatplanes.com)
Hitec RCD USA (www.hitecrcd.com)
Hobby Horse (www.hobbyhorse.com)
Horizon Hobby Inc. (www.horizonhobby.com)
Jokers Graphics (www.jokersgraphics.com)
Kansas Originals (www.kansasoriginals.com)
Leading Edge Gliders (www.leadingedgegliders.com)
Magnum Models (www.magnumrcmodels.com)
Micro Fasteners (www.microfasteners.com)
Ram Products (www.ramrcandramtrack.com)
RTL Fasteners (http://rtlfasteners.com)
Sig Manufacturing (www.sigmfg.com)
slopeflyer.com (www.slopeflyer.com)
Steve Drake RC Sailplane Products (www.stevedrake.com)
Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com)
Windrider Aviation (www.windrider.com.hk)
MWSC 2008 Workers
04sig2.QXD 2/24/09 9:29 AM Page 47
On Friday, a decision was made at the 9 a.m.
pilots’ meeting that, in view of the predicted 6-
12 mph northwest winds, the contest would
start with the Combat match at Jim Lawson’s
hill. Winds started out light and eventually
peaked at roughly 15 mph from the northwest.
Sixteen pilots flew five rounds of
competition. Top-gun pilots in full-contact
aerial combat with nigh-indestructible gliders
were David Day, Cory Shantz, and Joe
Chovan.
The northwest wind continued for a few
hours, and those with light models—especially
light models with fatter airfoils and longer
wingspans—flew until 7 p.m. Cory Shantz
bungee-launched an Unlimited-class sailplane
to get in a few practice laps.
After calling it a day, several pilots had
dinner at Linda’s Cafe: a Lucas landmark.
Saturday morning’s forecast was for clear
skies and winds from the northeast at 10-20
mph, making Minooka Park on the south side
of Wilson Lake the choice location for the One
Design Rule race, or ODR. Minooka is a
pleasant and productive slope-flying site in
northeast winds from 5 mph up. In 20 mph
winds, a rock-and-roll flying day at Minooka
sticks in your mind for weeks.
Wind direction and velocity were variable,
but 20 pilots flew five rounds of ODR. Not all
fliers finished all heats; that is, there was some
running down the hill to retrieve airplanes.
With four aircraft in an ODR heat, there are
close turns, close finishes, and a few bumps
and grinds along the way. Joe Chovan, Jack
Barry, Larry Blevins, Erik Eaton, and Jim
Baker were the smoothest and steadiest fliers.
The age range of the ODR pilots spanned
more than five decades. At one end were the
gray-hairs, including some who have been
flying ODR since it was first specified by the
Torrey Pines Gulls club in San Diego,
California, more than a decade ago.
At the other end were 11-year-old Steven
Ammon and 7-year-old Darren Ammon, who
were capably coached by their father, Justin
Ammon. Both lads finished several heats
impressively in some difficult flying
conditions.
With the early start Steven and Darren are
getting, they could become hard-to-beat slope
racers and slope combat pilots if they continue
flying RC gliders. It will be interesting and fun
to watch their skills develop.
With ODR racing completed near 1 p.m.,
the winds appeared strong enough to start the
Unlimited race. Eleven pilots flew in this class,
with two sailplanes in each heat, flying until
double elimination. Some heats were exciting,
while some did not finish because of the lack
of lift. In some cases, the heats were reflown.
After 27 heats, we saw an exciting close
finish between Joe Chovan and Dennis Brown
that determined first and second places. Joe
Hosey took the third spot.
We had plenty of daylight left and enough
lift for the foam warbird class to run. The first
three places were determined after two rounds,
and the CD and pilots jointly decided to call it
a day. The three fastest warbird racers were
Joe Chovan, Dennis Brown, and I.
Saturday evening saw 44 pilots and guests
at the awards banquet. The Lucas K-18 Cafe
owners, Barry and Amanda Maupin, did their
usual outstanding job of catering a memorable
family-style prime rib dinner.
Special guests who were recognized
included landowners Jim and Marge Lawson
and their son, Virgil; landowners Kent and
Anne Palmer and their daughter, Marley; CD
Mark Tallman; and Lester Tacha and his wife,
Crista, representing the US Army Corps of
Engineers at Wilson Lake.
Ranger Tacha is the specialist with the
Corps with whom WOW works to coordinate
the MWSC. We are indebted to and grateful
for the cooperation of the Corps and the
generosity of the landowners to give us five
flying locations at and near the lake so we can
fly in five wind directions.
In addition to attractive wood trophies for
the racing classes, an Overall Grand Champion
award was given in recognition of the 15th year
in which the event has been run. To be
eligible, a pilot had to fly in Combat, ODR,
and Unlimited classes. Joe Chovan scored the
highest in the three classes combined and was
awarded a JR X9303 2.4 GHz radio system,
courtesy of Horizon Hobby and the WOW
club.
The pilots’ and workers’ raffle awarded 40
prizes, and we very much appreciate the
generosity of the makers and suppliers who
contributed items for the drawing.
Since all four scheduled races were completed
on Friday and Saturday, Sunday was available
for open flying, again at Minooka Hill. We had
an unexpected pleasant bonus event when the
WOW club asked if we’d like to run an F3F
race.
F3F is an international Slope Racing
format in which one pilot at a time competes
against the clock and flies a 10-lap course in
the fastest possible time. The course requires
the same turn-marking equipment as other
Slope Races, but it uses a sound-signaling
system instead of flagmen to notify the pilot
that the end of the course is reached and he or
she can turn. The pilot stands at the center of
this course, and signalers at either end of the
course send an electronic beep at the “Okay to
turn” time.
Assembled pilots said yes to the WOW
club’s offer. Justin Ammon, Alden Shipp, Eric
Eaton, and Steven Ammon quickly set up
timing and signaling equipment and staffed the
course. Justin explained the basics to the F3F
beginners and offered coaching as we got into
the groove.
Nine pilots flew as many rounds as they
cared to and finished the 10 laps in times
ranging from 59.15 seconds to 139.0 seconds.
The models flown ranged from a Maple Leaf
F3B Icon and other fiberglass, 120-inch-span,
full-house sailplanes to a Steve Drake Gulp,
with other foamies and fiberglass gliders
rounding out the paddock. This was a treat for
some of us who had not flown F3F, and it was
a terrific way to end a four-day Slope Soaring
event.
After F3F racing, the wind swung to the
southeast and we moved to the “main hill” at
Lucas Park, overlooking the dam at Wilson
Lake. We had a pleasant late afternoon and
early evening, flying almost any sailplane we
brought. This “peaceful, easy feeling” flying is
what attracts many pilots to Wilson Lake as a
flying vacation destination.
Many thanks to the WOW members and
volunteers who made this MWSC fun and
memorable—especially Alden Shipp, Larry
Purdy, Kent Palmer, Scott Sielge, Wilson
Hardy, Randy Linderman, Erik Eaton, Justin
Ammon, and Steven Ammon. Count me in as
one competitor and vacationer who plans to be
back for the 2009 event.
Visit the WOW club Web site to obtain
information about the 2009 MWSC. MA
Dave Garwood
[email protected]
Sources:
WOW
www.midwestslope.com