Control Line: Aerobatics
I'VE JUST RETURNED (I write this in late October 1986) from probably the finest Stunt contest I've ever attended-with the possible exception of the Nats. The Clovis Controliners-whose home base is just to the north of Fresno, CA-have for several years conducted a contest known as the California North/South Championships at which we Californians would get together for one last shot at each other in late October. The list of past winners reads like a who's who of recent California Stunt people. Bob Whitely, Bob Baron, Paul Walker (before he was a "star"), yours truly, and last year Gid Adkisson, a person about whom you will be hearing more. Last year he defeated three former National Champions flying his original semi-scale Laser, a version of which Bob Whitely flew to a very close second place at last year's Nats.
Control Line: Aerobatics
FIRST things first. I owed a guy one and failed to come through. Back in April's column I ran a picture of myself with a mammoth Stunt ship identified as the Maximation and which was touted as my answer to the wimp Stunters who were content to fly the pattern with mere .60s. Because I have yet to "see the light" and switch to the larger Stunters, I have gotten more than my share of flack from the .60 set, and when I saw this ship I couldn't pass up the chance to slip `em the needle. In reality, the ship-a twice-scale Sig Banshee-is the handicraft of Joe Pearson, one of the San Francisco area's best Scale builders and fliers and also an untiring advocate of Control Line. The ship weighs about 19 pounds and flies on very long anchor chains (just kidding). It is powered by a Quadra and boasts both throttle control and a smoke system to provide exciting demonstration flights. Unfortunately the ship, after nearly a year of active campaigning, suffered a serious inflight disassembly problem-it shook apart from vibration in the middle of a flight. Fortunately, prior to its demise it delighted many people getting their first exposure to Control Line and (in addition) helped me poke a little fun. Thanks, Joe.
Control Line: Aerobatics
MANY THANKS to Lou Dudka for doing the Nats report for last month's issue. This is the third time that Lou has filled in for me, and he did his usual fine job. You may be aware that my reason for asking Lou to help me out this year was distinctly more pleasurable than in the past. Having to write the report of your own success takes a lot of ego-gratification out of the event, and having an ego at least as large as the norm, I eagerly sought out Lou's help when I was fortunate enough to win. Unfortunately, poor Lou earned a few strokes himself at the Nats, and by agreeing to write the column lost the chance to see his name in lights.
Control Line: Aerobatics
WELL, as I write this it is June 22, and I have just returned from one of the most enjoyable weekends of my Stunt "career." Last year you may recall I published a letter from Art Weber, an active member of the Circlemasters Flying Club of Milwaukee, WI. Art wrote about the success of a Stunt clinic sponsored by the Circlemasters and orchestrated by the Patriarch of Stunt, "Big Art" Adamisin. So delighted was I by Big Art's dedication to the advancement of Stunt that I called him and suggested that if he did any more of these seminars I would love to attend. Shortly thereafter, I received an invitation from Jim Krueger, vice-president of the Circlemasters, inviting me to participate in their second annual clinic and to be their guest for the weekend. After ensuring my time off, I readily accepted.
Control Line: Aerobatics
I'VE SEEN the Magnum, and it is for real. I've also flown it! Probably the most exciting development of the last few years in Control Line Stunt was the announcement early this year of the pending release of a new Stunt kit from Sig-the Magnum. Everywhere I've been the last six months, the announcement was greeted with anxious anticipation. Wow! Terrific! But will it be any good? Let me put your concerns to rest. The Magnum is an entirely competitive aircraft, and the kit promises to be another example of Sig's usual high quality.
