District IX Report - 2004/02

February 2004 179
NEWS FROM NEBRASKA: “Shhhhhh!
I’m Trying to Fly,” as reported by Loren
Blinde in the Lincoln Sky Knights
newsletter, The Clanking Armor.
“The Sky Knights’ first quiet-flight day
went off without a hitch. We had 25 or so
glider-guiders, Electric enthusiasts, curious
power fliers, and spectators show up for a
little something out of the ordinary.
“As Soaring days go, 95 humid degrees
leaves much to be desired, both for thermal
lift and for comfort. Winds were southwest,
so we set up the shade tent and the winch at
the northeast (into the wind) corner of the
field.
“Other than the winch parachute
occasionally landing in the pond, the layout
worked out great. Enough spare parts to
assemble a complete Combat airplane were
picked up while chasing the parachute.
“Larry Bailey, one of our Soaring
friends from Omaha, Nebraska, brought a
winch-line retriever. Picture a gadget
something like a big fishing spinning reel,
powered by a 12-volt starter motor, that
plays out a second line attached to the
primary launch line.
“Reeling in the launch line
mechanically allows many Soaring pilots to
preserve their old, fat, and happy bodies on
days like this.
“There were some interesting airplanes
flown. I dusted off my Craft-Air Leo, a
121/2 foot testament to the soaring state of
the art 30 years ago.
“Joe Moritz flew his Olympic II
Sailplane on a winch for the first time.
Terry Majewski had his awesome
collection of 1/12-scale Electric warbirds in
the air, and Steve Dworsky showed off his
Bandit, an Electric hotliner that would
leave most glow planes looking at his tail
in a vertical climb.
“Like I said, the soaring conditions
weren’t that great. I did manage to “speckout”
my Wind Dancer Electric for a 40-
minute flight on 5 minutes of run time.
“After the traditional burgers and dogs
lunch, most folks had enough of the heat
and went home, so the field resumed a
normally noisy state around 2:00.
“Special thanks to Dave Greathouse for
taking care of business in the clubhouse
and to Bernie Smith for turning 10-cent
Sam’s burgers into a great lunch.
“I hope we can do it again next year.”
Terry Majewski (L) and Bob Willey show
off their Scale Electrics.
The Don Neill Memorial Scale Contest, as
reported by Rich Boelts.
“The weather dawned beautiful for the
Lincoln Sky Knights’ Don Neill Memorial
Scale contest, but soon crested at
‘sweltering.’ Due to the heat and the fact
that the State Fair was opening at the same
time, attendance was down, but there was
still a number of beautiful models to be
seen.
“Wind was not a problem; it was a
beautiful day—if you like it hot! After the
dust settled and flying was done, Jim
Thurman of Nebraska City was sitting
solidly in first place with his Clipped Wind
Cub, and Tony Green took second with a
beautiful MiG-29.
Sadly, Tony’s MiG had a flameout and
damaged the landing gear, knocking him
out of the last round. The damage was not
severe, and should be repaired soon.
Jim Thurman and his beautiful Cub.
“Jim Thurman took double honors, with
his Cub being voted a well-deserved Pilot’s
Choice Award.
“Thanks to the various LSK members
who did judging, registration, and manned
the concession stand. These contests
couldn’t happen without you! See you next
year!”
Associate Vice Presidents
Max Hansen, 1909 Wisconsin SW, Huron SD
57350
H. Michael Harrington, 6112 Ashton Ct.,
Ft. Collins CO 80525
Fred Hildebrand, 4015 Somerset Circle, Casper
WY 82609-3161
Nathan Lancaster, 3597 S. Kendall Street, Denver
CO 80235
Troy Lapp, 1619 Wichita Dr., Bismarck ND 58504
Travis McGinnis, 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada CO
80005
Don Moden, 410 Hart St., Salina KS 67401
Jim Ricketts, 4921 Fernwood Drive, Sioux Falls
SD 57103-5573
Jack L. Sibert, 3611 Kimberly Circle, Lincoln NE
68506-4524
Mark T. Smith, 14632 W. 50th Street, Shawnee
KS 66216
Frequency Coordinator
Steve Mangles, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S.
Sheridan, Denver CO 80226
Colorado / Kansas /
Nebraska / North Dakota /
South Dakota / Wyoming
Russ Miller
Vice President
980 N. 3rd St.
Carrington ND 58421
Tel.: (701) 652-2321
Fax: (701) 652-2994
E:mail:
[email protected]
District IX Report
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