Author: Dennis O. Norman
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/02
Page Numbers: 18,19,20,21,22,23,24,26
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Home of the 2010 Flying Aces Nationals

by Dennis O. Norman

The Flying Aces Club (FAC) Nats is a wild and crazy reunion of some of the world’s best free-flight (FF) modelers. The 2010 gathering was held in Geneseo, New York, July 13–17. It included an extra day to accommodate all of the official and unofficial events.

As a vendor for Air Ace Models I arrived at Geneseo on July 12, as did the jovial Phil Thomas, who had traveled by car from New Mexico with his wife. Phil claimed to have covered almost 700 miles per day (no mean feat for anyone, let alone a 70-year-old). He came to participate in his first Geneseo contest and to enthusiastically promote an upcoming FAC contest: WESTFAC III, to be held in Denver, Colorado, June 22–25, 2011. Phil peppered the crowd with flyers and encouraged all to join him in Denver. Later he competed successfully, winning the Aerol Trophy Race with his Keith Rider Jackrabbit.

Foot problems kept me from participating as a contestant this year, but there was more than enough for me to do. While sitting as much as possible (doctor’s orders), I helped others with their models and timed flights. It was my good fortune to have my tent set up between Wally Farrell’s and Richard Gorman’s. Both are superb builders and fliers. Wally seemed to have an endless supply of outstanding aircraft, and all flew magnificently. It was rumored that he actually test-flew his fleet before coming to Geneseo. The secret of the airplanes’ great performances was partially revealed when Wally was spotted using a small digital thermometer to check the air temperature before launching. Sniffing out thermals has long been viewed as a “black art” based on intuition; Wally’s thermometer replaced the “art” with science and gave everyone a lesson in successful FF technique.

Close by were formidable competitors such as Dave Mitchell, Tom Arnold, Herb Kothe, Tom Hallman, Rich Weber, Mike Isermann, Mike Stuart, and Chris Starleaf. All had a magnificent first day of flying on July 14; weather conditions were beyond compare. Strong thermals rose over the field and the prevailing winds were so light that many models came down within an easy stroll from their launching points.

Englishman Mike Stuart had a fantastic flight of 76 seconds when his four-engined Armstrong Whitworth Argosy climbed into a thermal and quickly became almost a speck in the sky. After leaving the thermal, it smoothly glided in for a landing not far from where Mike had launched it. The day was full of breathtaking flying.

Adding the extra day for competition proved providential, because conditions worsened after July 14. The 15th was windy and rainy, with poor field conditions. The 16th had rain in the morning and left the field wet until noon; flying resumed but the air was turbulent for most of the afternoon. July 17 was lovely early, but fierce winds plagued the flying; by midafternoon the sun was brilliant, but few dared to fly because of turbulence.

Bernard Dion and the French Design Mass Launch

The intricate French Design Mass Launch was conducted by the charismatic, animated, and hilarious Bernard Dion of the Harfane (Snow Owl) Squadron of Montreal, Canada. Wearing an impressive French steel helmet and carrying a pole with a large tricolore, Bernard — with mock seriousness — described how the event would proceed:

  1. Contestants would be divided into three squadrons: the Red, the White, and the Blue.
  2. Each squadron member’s flight time would be recorded by his or her mechanic.
  3. The cumulative flight times for each squadron would be totaled.
  4. The winning squadron would be the one whose total score came closest to a secret, preselected Squadron Target Time.
  5. The squadron member with the highest flight time would become the squadron’s champion; other places would be determined by successively lower flight times.

After the flights, times were entered and totaled. The Secret Target Time was revealed to be 91 seconds. The White Squadron, with a total flight score of 60 seconds, was declared the winner. Pete Kaiteris was declared the squadron champion with an individual flight score of 16 seconds; Mike Isermann had 13 seconds and Ronny Gosselin 8 seconds. The French Design event is different from most FAC mass launches because the winner is determined by chance — closeness to the secret target — rather than by model endurance. For all of its complexity, it added random hilarity to the day’s flying.

A total of 138 contestants (three more than in 2008) attended the 2010 FAC Nats. The contest included 41 events (two more than in 2008) and 1,509 timed flights (480 more than in 2008). These figures might have been even more impressive if several FAC stalwarts had not been absent because of health problems and other concerns.

Bernard Dion had one more official flight to make with his silver prototype Stuka. I urged him not to risk flight in such winds. He bravely shrugged and launched his model; seconds later it smashed to the ground. C’est la vie.

Musical Interludes

The festivities included two delightful musical interludes. On the late afternoon of July 16 Canadian Paul Morris played the concertina accompanied by 8-year-old violinist Emelene Rosen, also from Canada. The duet played beautifully for nearly a half-hour. Emelene is a child prodigy; her repertoire is far greater than Paul’s, and in addition to playing with authority she “participated” in the contest by flying a colorful model on several occasions.

The second musical treat was from Vance Gilbert, who performed at the banquet on July 17. He sang an original, humorous, and warm piece about the things he had “learned from old white men” — specifically craftsmanship, patience, and wisdom gained from model building. Vance planned to formally record the song that fall.

Vendors and New Products

Also present at Geneseo were prominent model designers and vendors.

  • Diels Engineering (Dave Diels) displayed his P-66 Vultee Vanguard that will be marketed soon. The P-66 is 1/24 scale and, like many of his kits, features laser-cut parts, excellent decals (for Chinese or early U.S. versions), molded canopy, tissue, wire, rubber, landing gear, and propeller assembly. The model will cost about $36–$38 plus postage and handling. Dave said he plans to reissue some earlier kits (specifically the Hawker Typhoon and Japanese "Tojo") as laser-cut kits later in 2010 and that he will be moving to Oregon, Ohio (near Toledo).
  • Thomas Designs (Greg Thomas) impressed with an eye-catching Ercoupe inspired by the old Comet kit but vastly improved. The Ercoupe has a 24-inch wingspan, an 8% increase in stabilizer area, weighs approximately 24 grams, and features custom-shaped fillets and a beautifully detailed cockpit canopy. The complete laser-cut kit sells for $39 plus shipping; a short kit (plans and laser-cut parts only) is $21 plus shipping. Thomas Designs is also developing a 1-inch-scale twin-engine Cessna T-50 Bobcat in the markings of Sky King; development has taken two years and plans are superbly drawn. It is rumored Rich Weber might build the prototype.
  • Air Ace Models presented the Phantom Flash II "Chameleon." Based on the classic stick-model Phantom Flash R.O.G., the PF II uses the same wing and tail outlines but is reinforced for double covering. Its fuselage is a graceful box type. As its nickname implies, the Chameleon will be offered in several covering schemes; nine are currently available. The semikit includes detailed construction plans, four pages of building notes, three sheets of Esaki tissue printed with a color copier, and instructions for applying the tissue. The PF II semikit is available for $15 plus shipping and handling; a full laser-cut kit is being considered.

Issues, Concerns, and FAC Business

The death of Lin Reichel in 2008 was a great loss still being felt. The passing of a charismatic leader often results in dramatic changes and challenges. Tension has developed over some FAC events, such as FAC Dime Scale and FAC Pseudo Dime Scale. These were intended to be for "simple" models built for fun, but they have spun out of control and now occupy more than six pages of single-spaced text in the 2010–2012 FAC Rule Book. Such complexity has obscured the purpose of these events and buried them in a sea of semantics. Efforts are being made to simplify the rules and reduce or eliminate the controversy. It is sad that Mike Nassise, a great FAC contributor and proponent of Dime Scale, felt compelled to resign from the FAC Council because of the controversy. I hope he will continue to be a major force for good in the FAC's future.

At the banquet FAC Commander in Chief Ross P. Mayo told attendees that he had become so fatigued he was temporarily disoriented about preparations for the banquet, causing a brief panic among the caterers. The misunderstanding was soon corrected, but Ross earned the "Cat's Ass" Trophy for the biggest confusion of the contest.

Volunteer fatigue is a growing concern. Ross had all volunteers stand to be recognized and then asked everyone to be seated except the newest volunteer — his brother Blake. Ross then asked who would replace these hardworking people if they were no longer willing or able to serve. There was a sobering silence that has given rise to much serious thought, discussion, and debate.

Mike Isermann has volunteered to assume charge of future mass-launch events held in Geneseo. It is hoped others will follow his lead and volunteer to help with the many other tasks needed to make future FAC Geneseo events successful.

To reduce volunteer fatigue the idea of dropping the FAC Non-Nats at Geneseo is being discussed. In the words of one surprised FAC leader, that "would be like celebrating Christmas every other year." There are alternatives to a Geneseo Non-Nats year: the Great Grape Gathering FF contest is held at Geneseo several weeks after the usual FAC Nats/Non-Nats dates and has featured FAC events; traveling to Muncie, Indiana, for the AMA Nats or other FAC gatherings; attending the Wawayanda, New York, FAC bash later in the fall; or contesting at WESTFAC events in places such as Denver. Several Western FACers have long traveled to Geneseo; some argue it is only fair for Eastern FACers to make trips west occasionally. There are also FAC contests in Florida and other southern locations.

Many are concerned that dropping the Geneseo Non-Nats could create misunderstandings and potentially serious problems. Geneseo has welcomed and profited from FAC's Nats/Non-Nats visits. Would eliminating the Non-Nats adversely affect FAC's relationship with Geneseo? Would it reduce participation among FAC members, many of whom live in the northeast and are older than 60, often retired or nearing retirement and facing financial and physical restraints? If the Geneseo experience is discontinued in alternating years, future participation at Geneseo might be dramatically reduced.

Concerns have also arisen about modernizing FAC communications. The club recently created a website to enable members to quickly check on current events and upcoming attractions; the site will not serve as a venue for lengthy debates or complaints. Should the FAC become more of an Internet creature to economize and modernize distribution? Should the traditional print publication Flying Aces Club News continue? Most agree it should, because many older members do not have computers and depend on written communication; it is vital they continue to be reached by traditional mail.

Thankfully the FAC is attracting new, younger members who use modern technology to communicate. The DC Maxecuters have long used the Internet to provide current news, photos, and videos. One of the newest Internet newsletters is The Harfang Chronicle and Mail; its second edition was 21 pages. Newsletters such as these embrace the spontaneity and effectiveness of modern communication. The FAC must do likewise if it is to survive and grow. I hope a new generation of leaders and volunteers will arise to continue and expand the organization's efforts to promote our glorious hobby.

Dennis O. Norman [email protected]

FAC Nats Mark XVII Fun Facts

Memorable happenings included:

  • Hundreds of outstanding models in the static-judging event.
  • Phil Thomas’s invitation to attend WESTFAC III.
  • Wally Farrell’s winning ways.
  • Mike Stuart’s fantastic flight with his A.W. Argosy.
  • The devilish details and hilarity of the French Design Mass Launch.
  • The blessing of an extra day.
  • Musical interludes with Paul Morris, Emelene Rosen, and Vance Gilbert.
  • A peek at several new products.
  • Concerns about rule complexity, volunteer fatigue, dropping the FAC Non-Nats at Geneseo, and modernizing FAC communications.

Also:

  • This was the 32nd FAC national competition and the 17th biennial FAC Nats.
  • FAC members with perfect Nats attendance include Ross Mayo, Jack Moses, Fernando Ramos, Juanita Reichel, and John Stott.
  • 138 contestants entered the competitions.
  • 41 FAC events were contested.
  • 1,509 official (timed) flights were recorded.
  • 122 “maxes” (maximum time-limit flights) were achieved.
  • Contestants made a total of 272 mass-launch flights.

— Dennis O. Norman

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.