Flying Aces NATIONALS - 2015/02 | Model Aviation Library

Author: Dennis Norman

Edition: Model Aviation - 2015/02
Page Numbers: 29,30,31,32

02FAC.lt1.doc
[headline: Flying Aces Nationals]
[subhead: An East Coast celebration of Free Flight stick-and-tissue model aircraft]
[author: Dennis Norman]
[photos by as noted, no photo credit line heeded]
[Winners’ list to go online: http://flyingacesclub.com/14natsresultsv3.pdf]

July 16-19, 2014 marked the 19th biennial celebration of the Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nationals in Geneseo, New York. The 2014 gathering attracted 130 contestants, which was slightly fewer than in 2012 or 2010. Attendance may have been down a little, but the joy of those present was undiminished.
Scale judging was held at the Geneseo Quality Inn on Wednesday afternoon. The dominant vendor was the FAC, which offered T-shirts, kits, and items donated by members and/or their families. These gifts were limited to one per contestant with the stipulation that the recipient would write a note of thanks to the donor.
Hundreds of superb Free Flight (FF) Scale models were entered for Scale judging. The number of flying events was decreased to 28, making the event less intense and more enjoyable for participants.
Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Stew Meyers, computer tabulation of the competitions was better than ever. Reporting the results, particularly in mass launch events, was nearly instantaneous.
Flying took place at Geneseo’s National Warplane Museum which, in its present incarnation, was founded in 1994 as a nonprofit organization to promote and encourage the appreciation of military and civil aircraft and their histories. Museum operations center on an active grass airstrip long enough to accommodate four World War II bombers. Eighteen historical aircraft are based at the facility, which includes hangers, workshops, administration buildings, and a handsome visitor’s center.
In addition to FAC gatherings, the National Warplane Museum hosts an annual air show in early July. This year’s show drew nearly 10,000 people to see a spectacular flying display of vintage aircraft.
This year also marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day. In honor of those who fought and died in the Normandy Invasion, the museum completely restored and painted one of its C-47s, dubbed Whiskey 7, and flew it to Europe in May to join in the official tribute. Eight other similarly restored C-47 aircraft from around the world also participated.
A masterfully built 1:35-scale diorama depicting part of the fighting on Utah Beach was displayed at the visitor’s center. On a base measuring 3 x 10 feet, it was built by Donald Becker of New Jersey, who spent a year doing research and constructing it. Historical photographs documented the details.
Becker’s diorama was admired by more than 100 FAC members at the chicken barbecue held in the visitor’s center on Thursday evening. For only $10, attendees enjoyed half a barbecue chicken, baked beans, rolls, butter, and dessert. The barbecue was delightful. I hope it will be a regular part of future FAC gatherings at Geneseo.
After the barbecue, we went to a nearby theatre and saw Disney’s film, Planes: Fire and Rescue. Although not part of the FAC activities, it was about airplanes and a perfect ending for Joe and Pete’s first day at Geneseo.
There was an increase in the number of Junior competitors and extended family members attending the event. My son, Christopher, brought his sons, Joseph (age 12) and Peter (age 10) for their first visit. As a youngster, Chris regularly accompanied me to Geneseo and now his sons have joined us!
Also present this year were returning Juniors Benedict Dion, Erika Escalante, Kendrick Gosselin, and Maria Kondrat. Maria won this year’s Dave Stott Award for highest-scoring Junior. Eleven-year-old Oliver Sand was another newcomer. Oliver is a self-taught model airplane builder from Brooklyn, New York. His dad brought him to Geneseo.
For three days, Oliver flew, made field repairs and overnight repairs, without losing enthusiasm. He was assisted on the field by FAC stalwarts Gene Smith and George White. FAC leader Roy Courtney gave Oliver an Easy Built Jimmy Allen kit and said that Oliver has the look of a future FAC Champion.
Musical interludes were provided on the flying field by 14-year-old Emalene Rosen, who expertly played her violin, while accompanied by FACer Paul Morris on his concertina. Emalene also charmed the crowd with her beautiful singing voice. Vance Gilbert sang and entertained. Vance also wowed everyone with his rubber-powered twin Viking that won first place in FAC Giant Scale.
Flying, of course, was the biggest attraction and it was magnificent. With 57 entries, FAC Rubber Scale had the most participants. Chris Starleaf placed first with his Cessna 310R. Embryo Endurance was the second-most-entered event with 54 fliers. It was won by John Marett flying his Special. Dime Scale, won by Tom Hallman with his Staggerwing Beech, boasted 48 entries.
Less popular were the B.L.U.R. and S.L.O.W. races, which each had only five entries. Andrew Ricci won the B.L.U.R. with his Chambermaid and Tom Hallman’s Bleriot VII won the S.L.O.W.
This year’s special event was a D-Day Combat gathering (18 entries) won by Tom Hallman flying his Seafire. Beauty prizes were also awarded to the best-looking D-Day Allied model (Tom Hallman’s Seafire) and the best-looking Axis model (Pete Kaiteris’ Fw 190). The 2014 Scale Grand Champion was Tom Hallman and the 2014 non-Scale Grand Champion was Don DeLoach. Other winners can be found online at the link listed in the “Sources” section.
Special mention must be given to Enrique Maltz who traveled from Israel to compete for the first time with the FAC. Enrique packed his models in two containers, but only the one with his fuselages arrived by the time of scale judging. Judging of the fuselages alone showed Maltz is a superb craftsman.
The container with his wings arrived the next day and enabled him to prove that his models fly as well as they look. Enrique’s Farman Carte Postal won the Walt Mooney Award for best Peanut Model. Not surprisingly, he also won the award for the competitor traveling the furthest to be at Geneseo.
Happy chatter abounded at this year’s FAC Nats. After checking in at the Geneseo Quality Inn on Tuesday evening, I went to the nearby Denny’s restaurant and discovered my pals, Ralph Kuenz and Paul Boyanowski, enjoying a late supper. They invited me to join them and we visited for nearly two hours about our families, friends, and happy Geneseo memories. Both men are pillars of the FAC and I am honored to be their friend.
The next morning, while having breakfast at the Quality Inn, I reconnected with Tom Timmons of Danvers, Massachusetts. Tom and I first met at Geneseo in 1998. I had just crashed my rubber-powered B-24J and it was in pieces. I gave him some tatters as souvenirs.
Tom did not return to Geneseo until 2014. We reminisced at length and I gave him a copy of the booklet that I wrote about the B-24J. Tom and his wife, Carol, were great breakfast companions.
A pleasant conversation was had with Fernando Ramos. We both wrote for Model Builder Magazine and Fernando is one of my predecessors at Model Aviation. He is one of the few people who have perfect attendance at the FAC Nats. This is remarkable when you realize that he comes from California to attend.
Eighty-two-year-old Don Ross, famous for his model airplane books and columns, saw me on the field. My diabetic feet continue to hamper my ability to walk and fly. When tired, I struggle to maintain good posture. On seeing me, Don shouted, “there’s Dennis Norman looking like an old man!” I answered, “I may be old Don, but you are ancient!”
It is no secret that if one lives long enough, one gets old. Many FACers have already “gone West” and many more of us now have to rely upon canes, wheelchairs, and the loving assistance of family and friends to help us continue our participation in FAC gatherings.
A few golf carts appeared at Geneseo last year and proved useful. This year, a fleet of golf carts was on the field. Many of those driving carts assisted others to participate in comfort. God bless the helpers!
Enthusiastic FACers west of the Mississippi have announced that the Western Region Flying Aces Club (WESTFAC) will be holding the WESTFAC V in Buckeye, Arizona, on October 21-24, 2015. The theme will honor the 75th anniversary of the Battles of Britain and France. Details of aircraft eligible for the Mass Launch Event plus more information, maps, pictures, etc. can be found on the group’s website.
This promises to be an exciting and well-attended event. There is no hospitality like Western hospitality.
Finally, Rob Buck and his 22-year-old son, Christian, flew to Geneseo in their Cessna 170 on the afternoon of Saturday, July 19. A steady drizzle had all but ended the model flying. Chris and my grandsons were in the process for leaving for Ohio when Rob offered them an impromptu aerial tour of Geneseo. This brought their trip to the 2014 FAC Nats to a grand conclusion and made grandpa’s day.[dingbat]
—Dennis Norman
dennis@airacemodels.com