RADIO ROL Soaring Jim Simpson Planning event began Novem ber 1974 personal visit John Worth National Soaring Society NSS Board meeting Washington DC requested support NSS event accordingly NSS President Rod Smith sent Lake Charles La January 1975 help search site After almost 8 hours fruitless site search found DeQuincy Municipal Airport negotiated its use Mayor Buddy Henagan airport operator Gene Allen invited Nats Planning Committee meeting advisory capacity estimated requirements terms equipment personnel suitable RC Soaring event requirements included NTS budget later ap proved AMA executive committee team soaring enthusiasts sembled convert dream reality As summer rolled spent count less hours process coordinating procurement training event effort make good pos sibly could effort included practice contest designed test newly acquired equipment train working team contest sponsored famous Ft Worth Thunderbirds staffed chosen job Finally planning phase ended after carefully de tailed coordination SOAR Club Chicago adoption technique procedures carefully de veloped over previous six years annual RC Soaring Nationals execution phase event began movement equipment personnel Ft Worth/Dallas metroplex event headquarters Rodeway Inn Sulphur La task required seven vehicles day Sunday August 3rd accomplish qukk check site revealed effect recent rains would require patience Job cope knowing perseverance Soaring folks cheerfully began proc essing room 109 day Monday praying better weather throughout night As turned out off day rain effects hampered initial setup restricted first days flying two complete rounds An interesting incident occurred round two draw ing close directly reflects RC Soaring fastest growing segment model aviation two flights needed finish round two decision made launch spite rapidly approaching thundershower Natu rally everyone anticipated pilots would select 2-minute instead 10minute option already begun sprinkle no true RC Soaring pilots both recognized lift flew on sky opened everyone sought shelter under tents 10 minutes surely seemed 10 hours drenched pilots shouts encouragement heard up down line Finally perfect near per fect scores Ernie Harwood Tex Arthur Sark Fla landed amid loud cheering standing ovation Thus stage set following two days near perfect soaring weather les sened inconvenience muddy underfooting vital statistics contest follows total entry 70 contestants divided 35 Unlimited class 30 Standard class 5 Scale entries 50 flew completion actually 495 launches accomplished 13Y2 hours actual contest operation averages launch 16 minutes such accomplishments contestants myself wish express thanks wife Karen son Alan Helmer Jane Johnson son Van Bill Juanita Slater Carrol Moffatt Peggy Orozco finally Tom Blakeney Tex Schmidt people sacrificed vacations chance com pete order work resulted being successful meet grati tude also extended Jim Martin Nick Nixon John Embry LARKS Club because effort sup port event simply wouldnt have Presentation awards primary purpose banquet held Rodeway Inn Thursday night following finish competition 73 peo ple attendance including John Worth Johnny Clemens Mayor Buddy Hena gan food drink outstanding mood extremely friend ly Trophy awards made Texans winning 11 followed Florida three Miss La Results appear Competition News section Legion Airs designer Cecil Nags shows son Bill its done model begins its assent after neat launch Contestants numbered 70 35 Unlimited 30 Standard five Scale Bottom Joi Rimmer shows launch style earned him first place Standard class