Author: Duane Wilson
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 23,24,25,26,27
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Nostalgia contest returns to its roots

by Duane Wilson

Thirty pilots, flying the best of the golden-age Pattern airplanes, gathered for a special event near Atlanta, Georgia. They came to observe the 20th anniversary of the first contest held by a then‑fledgling aerobatic organization—one that is still going strong with no signs of slowing. They came not only to celebrate that first October 1991 contest, but to honor the founder.

Mickey Walker wanted to return to Pattern competition based on the simplicity of Pattern’s early days, without investing a ton of money in the process. The success of the Senior Pattern Association (SPA) during the past 20 years has been because of Mickey’s successful formula. Many “average” fliers have experienced the joy of flying simple, inexpensive aerobatic competition, which they probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

In the February 1992 issue of Model Aviation (MA), modeling author and renowned Pattern competitor Ron Van Putte first introduced the AMA membership to SPA while covering the first contest. The feature article explained the concepts and guiding principles founder Mickey Walker (a longtime Pattern flier) used in its formation—primarily a return to the original, non‑turnaround‑style Pattern event, while using basic, low‑tech airplanes designed before January 1970 (approximately 20‑year‑old designs at that time).

The 20th‑anniversary Nostalgia contest seemed more like a homecoming or family reunion than a Pattern contest. Numerous pilots who attended had not been active in some time. Many were former SPA competitors and friends whom Mickey invited to come “home” and observe this special anniversary.

Mickey and fellow pilot Keith Watson were the only two pilots present for both contests. I was there both times as well, but the first time I went just to watch. I was excited by what I saw and joined SPA on the spot (I have an early newsletter to prove it), but I didn't actually rejoin and compete for another 15 years—long story!

Why SPA? By 1990, AMA‑sanctioned competition costs had increased beyond the average modeler’s resources, with high‑tech, high‑performance equipment the primary culprit. Only the more dedicated, affluent, or sponsored pilots could compete at the highest levels.

In addition to the prohibitive costs, many Pattern pilots back then simply didn't enjoy the newer turnaround‑style maneuver format. Because of this, many chose to move on to other areas within RC. AMA Pattern lost much of the popularity it had once enjoyed.

Mickey was one of those who had left AMA Pattern and missed the camaraderie of contests and the traditional one‑maneuver‑per‑pass aerobatics sequence. After thinking about ways that AMA might have inadvertently excluded pilots by allowing the unimpeded advance of technology and expense, he placed deliberate limits on the technical aspect of competition, similar to the Novice class in AMA competition, which also incorporates limitations.

Mickey's SPA emphasized a deliberate return to the philosophy of “simple and inexpensive,” meaning stock engines with stock mufflers, and no tuned pipes or retracts. An SPA‑legal airplane is no more expensive than the average airplane on the flightline at your local field. The simplicity and low cost of early vintage models, in terms of materials and equipment, deliberately establish a level playing field, making practice and skill the primary difference between competitors.

Mickey gathered a number of friends with similar feelings and drafted a set of simple rules—and the Senior Pattern Association was born. He based SPA on the concept of the Senior PGA tournaments, complete with an age requirement: you had to be 45 years old. Younger pilots wanted to get involved, so the age rule didn't last long, but the name Senior Pattern Association stuck.

What has become of Mickey's brainchild over the past 20 years? In the early days, Mickey was president, newsletter editor, chief promoter, and contest director. He paid for all of the trophies and expenses of the organization himself for the first few years. Nine years after that first 1991 contest, SPA became an official AMA Special Interest Group (SIG).

As the organization grew, Mickey was finally able to step back from many administrative duties. He is now Founder Emeritus of SPA as it enters its third decade.

For most of SPA's 20 years, growth was slow but steady. Much of the activity was concentrated in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. However, for the past five years—especially since two articles about SPA were published in Model Aviation—growth has accelerated; there are now members in nearly all 50 states.

There has been tentative, isolated SPA contest activity in Virginia, the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, Indiana, and Florida, but nothing that lasted long. This past February, after four years of increasing contest activity, a second designated region of permanent SPA activity—comprising Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with established, regularly scheduled contests—was formed.

Mickey often mentioned that he always wanted SPA to be a national organization with regions across the country. Now that the second region has been established, the organization wants to help other areas make Mickey's goal a reality.

Rules have remained relatively unchanged, but some changes were needed to respond to growth. As mentioned, the age rule was the first to be amended. SPA now has competitors as young as 10 years old experiencing what it's like to meet the challenge in front of the judges.

There are two classes of competition: traditional SPA and Antique. The cutoff date for legal SPA models changed from 1970 to January 1, 1976, to accommodate a wider range of models from which to choose. Why did SPA choose the 1976 date rather than adopt a progressive date range of 20 to 30 years? By the mid‑1970s, the use of retracts and tuned pipes was commonplace at all levels of competition. That date fits the philosophy of SPA, which tries to keep the original concepts of simple and inexpensive in mind when rule changes are considered.

One gratifying result of recent growth in vintage Pattern competition has been the involvement of several kit manufacturers, which has made it much easier to have a legal airplane to fly. In 1991, essentially all of the airplanes were built from plans. Now we even have some ARFs available, including popular models such as The World Models Intruder, Horizon Hobby Phoenix 7, and Tower Hobbies Kaos.

There has been growth since that first contest 20 years ago, but the founding principles upon which Mickey based SPA haven't changed. The emphasis is still placed on non‑turnaround competition with simple, inexpensive vintage airplanes.

From the beginning, an important goal of SPA competition has been that individual competitors have a good time above all else. The camaraderie, friendships, and memories will always be worth more than the hardware you win. Still, we are competitive creatures by nature, and a lot of practice is rewarded with a first, second, or third‑place finish (or through fifth place in Novice).

This SPA 20th‑anniversary contest was one of the highlights of the 2011 contest season. It was a special time to gather and honor Mickey for creating such an enjoyable outlet for RC competition. It was a wonderful weekend and a chance for everyone to convey thanks and best wishes to Mickey for a job well done.

If this sounds like fun and you are interested in friendly Pattern competition (with friendly, helpful judges), go to the SPA website to learn more about the organization. Feel free to come out to a contest; SPA offers competition at all skill levels. Most start in Novice.

It's time to practice ... see you at the field.

— Duane Wilson [email protected]

SOURCES

VINTAGE KITS

ARFS

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