Team USA at F3b WC in Luzern Switzerland

[djklein21]

Hello all,
I would like to start off by thanking the soaring community for their outstanding support of the 2007 US F3b team. We will keep you all up to date by posting our experience here.

We left for our journey on Tuesday morning July 3rd. We had a bit of a mishap on our flight from Philadelphia to Zürich. About an hour into our flight, somewhere over the Atlantic our Captain informed us that we would be turning around and landing in Philadelphia. One of the outboard flaps on our wing was malfunctioning at altitude. It was an interesting ride back. For an hour our plane flew at 6,000 ft with the landing gear down, the flaps deployed, and the spoilers out. The pilot was trying to increase the fuel burn so that we could land at a lighter weight. You could just feel the life being sucked out of the wing.

After another 4-5 hours on the ground we were aloud to dis-board the plane and spend the night in the terminal. The airline told us many stories about planes and problems. We finally left the US around 5am on the 4th of July.

Our Team co-manager Peter Baumeler, a Swiss national who now lives in Michigan, picked us up with his family from the Airport in Zürich and took us to the field in Emmen near Luzern. Peter's family and friends were extremely gracious and more than helpful. This really made the final leg of our journey very pleasant especially considering how long our flight took.

We arrived at our Hotel, Motel Bruggli around 8pm on the 4th.. It is a very sweet hotel. The rooms feel like they are a scene from the IKEA showroom.

The night finished with a meal at the quaint restaurant attached to the hotel. We were more than surprised by the quality of the meal. It was top notch. I can personally vouch for their NY strip which is more than two inches thick. After the meal we were all exhausted and retired to our rooms.

This is the morning of the 5th, and it is currently raining, the field is closed so we will go over our equipment in the rooms and take the train into downtown Luzern. I wil post some more pictures of our exploits this evening.

For more information about the team please visit our website at http://www.teamusaf3b.com/


Thanks for following along,
David Klein US F3b Team helper

[djklein21]

Some more pictures

[tonyestep]

Great, Dave! Keep 'em coming!

[glderguy]

What airline were you guys flying Dave? Good luck ovver there guys.
Walter

[GoFaster]

Thanks for the update Dave! Hope to see more along the way. Have a great time.

- Felix

[Daryl Perkins]

Good luck guys! Go get 'em!!!!

dp

[timmig]

Sweet!!! Kick some butt!! Keep the reports coming!
Tim

[target]

Here's wishing you that all of the bad luck was used up on the flight over!\

Target

[Gldrpilot]

Awesome!! Best of luck to you all!! Kick Butt and TAKE NO PRISONERS!!! The U.S. is comin'!!

Chris Keller

[Pheasant]

I'm sure Dave will have a bunch more pictures soon, he's been busy snapping shots of just about everything going on.

Today we finished up our second practice day, Aaron, Mike and Tom got in plenty of flying in some varying conditions. We're still at the field now (8.30pm) getting winches adjusted and models checked in. The organiser supplied batteries have significantly lower resistance than we're used to and the winches require some inventive mods to comply with the limit.

The weekend will involve the 2 round prelim event (Emmen Cup), a good opportunity to fly on the actual WC site and get a feel for the site and conditions.

We'll try and keep you up to date on team progress, and they'll probably have up to date scores on the official site (linked through the WC logo at www.teamusaf3b.com).

Craig.
F3B TM.

[Daryl Perkins]

Hey, where are those pesky Swedes? I don't see them on the roster. No smurfs this year? A WC just isn't a WC without those guys.

[infopimp]

More pics! :)

[Pheasant]

No smurfs this time Daryl. Apparently very busy with work and home lives.

It's 8.30am, we're on the field waiting for the Emmen Cup pilots meeting, winches are set, models are charged. Aaron up first of our pilots.

CG.

Hey, where are those pesky Swedes? I don't see them on the roster. No smurfs this year? A WC just isn't a WC without those guys.

[djklein21]

Well guys, I apologize for not posting sooner but it has been a long two days.

After our log 36 hours traveling we slept in on the 5th. We were waiting to get our winch batteries from the contest organizer as well as our line from EMC Vega. We got our batteries late in the afternoon on the 5th and set out to the practice field to check out our airplanes and equipment. The practice field left a lot to be desired. It was rather small making it difficult to accommodate the 200 meter winch lines. We did it, but out turnarounds ended up on the top of a small hill. We were surprised out the lack of contestants practicing. Aaron Valdes had a serious interference issue on his first launch with his Radical. At the top of his zoom, the plane went into PCM lockout and did consecutive loops until it hit the ground. Aaron was able to get some control at low altitude and got the flaps down saving the model. He then spent the rest of the day in repair mode, getting the model fixed up and changing frequencies before the day was over.

The weather was fairly poor with light showers poking through now and again. The wind was also up near 15mph, making for some great launches. With it being summer, flying at a high latitude, and having a serious case of jet lag, we had no problem flying past 8:00pm.

The next day we set out to get some practice in early morning dead air. We left the hotel early and were in the air by 8:00am. Although we were out early, the air was anything but dead. The wind was up again threatening rain all day. The launches were monstrous, and the speed runs were fast. We planed to finish up early, organize our equipment in the hanger space, and adjust our winches resistance before heading into downtown Luzern for dinner. Dinner wasn't in the cards though.

The batteries we ordered from the contest organizer had very little internal resistance. So low, that our adjustable winch resisters were not big enough to accommodate the difference. These Batteries were REALLY GOOD.We had to modify every winch we had to get it legal. We spent the rest of the evening in the hanger, only finishing four winches before the contest organizers kicked us out at 9:30pm. By this time, a trip into Luzern wasn't possible and the hotel restaurant was closed on Thursdays. :(

Friday morning were arrived at the field around 7:30am. We strung out our winches and were ready with plenty of time to spare for the pilots meeting. This contest is a warm up for the WC. The Idea is to have a mini contest that the workers are allowed to fly in. It really helps to iron out all of the logistics for scoring as well as home field rules ect...

At 4:00pm we took a break for the opening ceremonies. We are now finishing the last of the the speed runs for the day. So far the Germans are bringing the sting. Andreas Herrig started the day off early with a blistering 15.6X. Reinhard Liese finished the day off with a superbly flown 15.7X. Reinhard is flying an Estrella DP. I think he really wanted to beat his team mate, Andreas. Reinhart got a monster launch and flew the tightest coarse of the day. He really made the most of the air he had. If he can do that the whole contest without a cut, he will be standing on a podium.

Enjoy the pictures

Enjoy the upcoming pictures

[Pheasant]

Some more pictures, had time to take some this morning. We got Round 1 completed of the Emmen Cup, waiting out a little rain right now and hoping to get back to Round 2 Speed soon.

Craig.

[Pheasant]

More pics...

[Pheasant]

More...

[Pheasant]

still more....

[DrFragnasty]

Terrific pics. Thanks Craig & David. Hope the weather holds-out and you have a ball.

Chris.
www.lsf.australia.org.au
www.seat.lonnie.com.au

[GoFaster]

There seem to be live(?) scores at

WM F3B 2007 (http://www.f3b-wm.ch/index.php?show=49)

Click on "World Cup Emmen" and "WCh starting and rank list" on the left

[timmig]

WOW---nice pic's Dave!!! That Ceres sure looks sweet!!! I gotta git me one of them!!!
Looks like great weather--hope you guys do well!!! Good luck!!
Tim

[djklein21]

The Ceres doess look cool. I haven't seen one fly yet though. Today will be the day. It is definitely a step up for Baudis models. It might turn out to be the best on the market. The next few days will tell though (at least for F3b). Andreas Bohlen has one, but he also has been flying a Precious and and a new plane from Juri Tuma, the Evolution.

[djklein21]

I will work on a recap of yesterdays events later today, but here are the pictures that tell the story.

[Pheasant]

Uncoordinated my a%#.... both Mike and I made succesful hat flips, with the appropriate witnesses.

Craig.

[Pheasant]

more pics

[djklein21]

This was a seriously long day. We did not post good scores, but we learned from every flight. Our team strategy is now down pat. We spent an hour or two after the finals to work on launch settings. It was obvious that we were being out launched. After we got to think about it, our practice areas in the states are generally good flying sites with great launch conditions. The days before the practice were extremely windy, and we were able to out launch the competition, but the competition was totally dead calm. After the awards ceremony, all three of the pilots worked on their launch settings and got another 50-100 feet. We are back in it.

Tom Kiesling had a bad encounter with an Estrella from the German team during a duration round. The score board blocks the pilots view just after the coarse. Tom had just finished and turned to land when an Estrella wing collided with his tail. This was his last flight of the day, so he had some time to repair it. Tom being the superb builder he is, used some foam, epoxy and glass to whip it into shape. The Tool is all ready to rock.

The evening was interesting. The Swiss organizers were not able to get the field mowed before the WC, so our winch lines were being pulled through three feet of grass. this was a significant amount of drag added to the launch system. The German team manager found a decided it was a good idea to find a mowed and start to mow their lanes without the permission of the contest organizers. This was a little un-sportingly since many of the teams had already left for the evening. We watched this all happen while we were working on our launches. I found the mower and got it running and proceeded to mow our lanes too. Fair is fair right. Before getting the mower to the area, I was stopped by the officials. After protesting that both the Germans and Swiss mowed their lanes, and that it would only be fair to even the field I was allowed to mow. The officials only agreed to let us mow if we mowed the entire field for all of the contestants. We agreed and started mowing after 9:00pm. After mowing 2/3 of the field the 20+ year old mowed gave up the ghost. This sucked, because it meant that 1/3 of the competitors were disadvantaged. The organizer called the farmer to get the rest finished, but as of the start of the event, it has not been done. The officials closed the field to the North, until it is mowed. I hope the wind doesn't change direction, because FAI rules state that downwind launches are not allowed and that the lines must be changed.

[djklein21]

It is a rainy mess. The north field is unevenly mowed ( we tried), so it is closed to launches in that direction. We have done very well in our first three flights. Duration in round one is finished and we are all near the top. Tom went first in really lowsy conditions. He managed well and scored a 100 point landing and finished with a 987. Aaron went next and found some lift for a 10:01 and a 100 point landing. This was good for a 997. Mike went last and had to sweat a little. He found a small piece of lift around the 7 minute mark and climbed out. He finished with a perfect 10:00 and 100 point landing good for a complete 1000 points.

Great job guys, one flight at a time.

[target]

Keep up the good work, guys.

Target

[Pheasant]

Swiss equivalent of orange traffic cones. You can pee in them too.....

[Pheasant]

Hey guys,

We had some bags made for the three pilots, and we've decided to make them available for purchase to the soaring community. It'll also help out with our fund raising, Switzerland is beautiful but far from cheap.

Picture is attached, the bag is about 22" x 10", has regular handles plus a shoulder strap, exterior pockets and zippered compartments. Has the F3B team logo on the outside, and for an additional charge we can put your name on it also.

Price will be $50 without name, $70 with. To get on the order list you can email me (servoframes@sbcglobal.net), if you want your name on it let me know, and double check your spelling.

Craig.

[Daryl Perkins]

I was following the results from the Emmen Cup. I know that must have been disheartening for the guys. Nice job to diagnose the launch issue, and go out and work on it.

For those of you who have never attended a WC, it's an awesome and intimidating prospect. You prepare, you prepare, and then you prepare, but as soon as you get there, it seems as if everyone is outlaunching you, and they are ALL so good.

The F3B WC's was such a large part of my life for so many years, thank you so much for letting us share in the trip with you. Please keep it coming.

Good luck guys!!! I'll loan you some of my air... notice I said "loan," I may need it back some day. ;-)

dp

[F3X]

The USA is a small world in relation to FAI events, I know when I attended my first F3F VR there was a lot to take in.

The USA guys are only lacking international experience and I am sure they will do well this week! They have the skills!

Good luck guys!

[danfield]

Anyone checked the current standings????? Round One has been updated.

http://www.f3b-wm.ch/index.php?show=70&mainTab=teamFinalResults


I will let you see for yourself.... go USA.

Long way to go, but a good start.

Dan

[Pheasant]

We're hanging in there so far. Tom and Aaron took a small hit in speed but they are breaking it into four groups so that helps. Mike was about to fly his speed task but we got hit with a bunch more rain so it'll happen tomorrow.

Craig.


Anyone checked the current standings????? Round One has been updated.

http://www.f3b-wm.ch/index.php?show=70&mainTab=teamFinalResults


I will let you see for yourself.... go USA.

Long way to go, but a good start.

Dan

[djklein21]

Careful, round one isn't finished. Some teams have finished (like the Japanese) and others haven't (like the USA) so those numbers don't mean anything until the last 20+ pilots fly their first speed run.

[danfield]

Careful, round one isn't finished. Some teams have finished (like the Japanese) and others haven't (like the USA) so those numbers don't mean anything until the last 20+ pilots fly their first speed run.



Opppps. I didn't realize this is really LIVE and not complete.

Sorry
Dan

[Joe W]

GO Team!

Looking at the scoresheets, it looks like some challenging conditions. Team USA is fairly well positioned in round 1 with the only remaining US pilot being Mr. Smith left to fly speed. It is very likely that they will be in the top 5 after the end of the first round. Very early in the contest, but a good start!

Like DP, it is fun to enjoy the comp vicariously!

Unlike DP, I've no air to loan you... I'll see if I can loan out a good distance call!

[jgs99v]

Joe - The points awared in the distance are related only to the number of laps? Or are there other dependencies? Mike Smith was awared 1000 points but only completed 17 laps?

[Daryl Perkins]

JGS -

For distance and duration you are only scored against those in your flight group. Mike must have had or tied for the top lap count in his group.

Speed is normally flown and scored in one large group, but sometimes at large contests due to varying conditions, they will break up the field into multiple flight groups.

Craig - what was their reasoning behind 4 flight groups for speed? That's a strange number. I have never to a WC's with more than 3 groups for speed (separated based on the number of actual scoring team members).

d

[Joe W]

d -

(edited due to an incorrect assumption)

I looked at the scores in a bit more detail. The comp has started off with a LOT of hard fought battles with a lot of low scores. Unless something completely unexpected occurs, the US will be in 2nd or 3rd after the remainder of round 1 has been flown.

Mike, I hope you get DP air for your upcoming speed flight!

[mlachow]

Actually it will end up being 5 groups for speed since they have to finish tomorrow morning. Forcast is for rain and there was rain today. So I suspect that speed was stopped a few times due to rain and then they started a new flight group when they restarted. With the number of entrants, they should get more than one round in for a day if the weather cooperated.

Sounds like times have been "interesting" since leaving Philly and having to return due to equipment problems. Add in a few model repairs, getting winches matched to batteries, grass mowing tricks, rain...


No stories about the beer or women yet... well Daryl isn't there.

[mungrelv8ute]

Daryl and beer = not good. Mind you this was after his 3rd WC win.

[Pheasant]

Daryl,

It was a fairly arbritrary split point. 64 pilots, four groups of sixteen. They anticipated bad weather so decided to split the group, and hoped to complete the task yesterday evening. Solid rain prevented that. In theory the first group of 32 that flew could have been scored together.

Mike L.,

Still only four groups. They chose to normalise a group across the overnight break. Not sure why, and didn't affect the US team, but ask the Swiss how they feel...

Craig.

JGS -

For distance and duration you are only scored against those in your flight group. Mike must have had or tied for the top lap count in his group.

Speed is normally flown and scored in one large group, but sometimes at large contests due to varying conditions, they will break up the field into multiple flight groups.

Craig - what was their reasoning behind 4 flight groups for speed? That's a strange number. I have never to a WC's with more than 3 groups for speed (separated based on the number of actual scoring team members).

d

[Richard S]

It looks like the Herrig brothers are going to be the ones to beat .

I've flown against them in F3K competitions and their whole attitude and dedication to the hobby is amazing... not to mention the quality of the models they design.

[Pheasant]

They're certainly flying well. Both ripped off 15.xx second speed runs in round 2.

Tom Kiesling went 16.60 with a smooth run, Mike 18.50 with a started go-back for a late horn. Aaron had a cut at B (went back for it) and has a speed throwout.

Craig.


It looks like the Herrig brothers are going to be the ones to beat .

I've flown against them in F3K competitions and their whole attitude and dedication to the hobby is amazing... not to mention the quality of the models they design.

[DrFragnasty]

What a website! Drift your mouse over the blue plane icon...

Chris.

[mlachow]

What a website! Drift your mouse over the blue plane icon...

Anyone find a summary, or is anyone going to go through the list and come up with a summary of models.

[mlachow]

What happened to Stephan Bohlen's model in round 2 duration? 1:56?

[dephela]

A quick tally on the models[my count may be wrong].
Assuming that any competitor listing just one model is using two of them.
I could have picked three but there's no way of knowing which of the pilots using two models has two of their primary or two of their secondary. Only one flier lists three different models.

Aircraft are listed in the order that they appear in the first round listings, lower in the column means first used at that level;

Radial 11
Victor 1
Estrella DP 9
Altus 3[cause we know]
Precious 4
Ascot 1
Caracho 3000 10
Furio 4
Racemachine 6
Crossfire 22
Ceres 9
Europhia 7
Ellipse4 1
Freestyler 1
Eigenbaum 1
Tool 2
Aris 1
Estrella 4
X-21 3
Skymax4 1
Espada 1
Diavolo 1
Alice 1
Caracho 3
Viking 1
Eagle 1
Prototype 2
Mystic 1

Of course, ther may be some error as a "Caracho" may be a "Caracho 3000" or an "Estrella" may be an "Estrella DP".

[stevecondon]

Nice work Dave! Keep 'em coming.

[mlachow]

More pictures at http://www.lomcovak.cz/. Check out the mud..... F3b mud wrestling....

Also, "Your comment" on the WC pages. http://www.f3b-wm.ch/index.php?show=73

[F3X]

They're certainly flying well. Both ripped off 15.xx second speed runs in round 2.

Tom Kiesling went 16.60 with a smooth run, Mike 18.50 with a started go-back for a late horn. Aaron had a cut at B (went back for it) and has a speed throwout.

Craig.

Congratulations USA team is 2nd after 3 rounds! What a great result for you guys! It looks like Mike is warmed up. The Herrig's won't drop many points so it's tough to make up ground.

What would you guess the late beep cost Mike in speed? A second or more? I guess it was't worth trying for a reflight with the varying conditions he could have drawn some slow air.

Whats the weather looking like? Will you get to dry off. That field looks like scenes from Woodstock :D

Good luck!


Updates (in english!) from Andreas Herrig at http://www.f3b-team-germany.de/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Startseite

[thelocust]

Jojo's got updates as well:
http://www.f3x.no/f3b/2007/index.htm

Keep it up USA!

[Pheasant]

Tom says he was walking back with his model with about 6 to go in the working time. Possible pulled/turned towhook.






What happened to Stephan Bohlen's model in round 2 duration? 1:56?

[djklein21]

Congratulations USA team is 2nd after 3 rounds! What a great result for you guys! It looks like Mike is warmed up. The Herrig's won't drop many points so it's tough to make up ground.

What would you guess the late beep cost Mike in speed? A second or more? I guess it wasn't worth trying for a re-flight with the varying conditions he could have drawn some slow air.

Whats the weather looking like? Will you get to dry off. That field looks like scenes from Woodstock :D

Good luck!


Updates (in english!) from Andreas Herrig at http://www.f3b-team-germany.de/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Startseite

I would say that the late beep cost Mike S more than a second on both of his speed runs. The late beep is actually built in to the system. First it is turn by Jury. Two of three turn judges must hit the button before you get the turn, then there is a delay built into the system, maybe a half a second. I think this really through Mike off. We practice with a simple system, and trained turn helpers that are on the button (just like our F3F set ups). The beep comes immediately. If you get a half second of silence, you would turn around. I think this caught Mike off guard (speculation, I am not Mike).

Our Team is really gelling. Things are coming together.

The Germans however are really on point. Almost like they have done this before. :) They work together really well. The most amazing part of their performance is their ability to adapt to the quickly changing conditions. This has been a really tough contest, with funny weather, strong lift, and strong sink.

I will post a lot more pictures later tonight. I will also make a special post just about the planes at this years WC.

BTW, the weather should be getting better, and we have finished 2 and 1/3 rounds in the first two days. This should be a great contest. It is definitely a marathon, not a sprint.

Thanks for your interest,
David

[mlachow]

The late beep is actually built in to the system. First it is turn by Jury. Two of three turn judges must hit the button before you get the turn, then there is a delay built into the system, maybe a half a second.

I remember that system. Not fun....

[djklein21]

some of todays pictures

[timmig]

Well new wives are like that too, very cooperative and interested in their man's doings. Wait a few years-- she'll be invisible too!! Hohoho!! Kidding!!!
Great reports and fun reading--keep the pics coming too. Thanks to all who are posing here to let us live vicariously through you!!!
GO TEAM USA!!!
Tim

[stevecondon]

I agree with Tim...great to be there "virtually" and live vicariously through our boys...the weather here in So. Cal is a "little" bit better.

Love hearing the play-by-play action.

Go USA Go!!!!

p.s. The Herrig brothers look pretty small...maybe you and Craig should take them and Liese out for drinks tonight...LOTS of drinks. Then again, maybe they'll fly better hung over :rolleyes:

Pray for the DP air in speed!!

[mlachow]

Weather links in english

http://www.meteocentrale.ch/index.php?day=0&detail=W068050&id=swiss&L=0

[davzucker]

"p.s. The Herrig brothers look pretty small...maybe you and Craig should take them and Liese out for drinks tonight...LOTS of drinks. Then again, maybe they'll fly better hung over"


I sent Mike with a couple extra dollars just for that purpose.
Great coverage you guys Keep em coming.

Z

[F3X]

Thanks Dave, I know the system also. It's really a validation of the turn not a actual call. Well if the two judges push the button at the same time you get what we are used to. There shouldn't be any delay in the beep though, you just can't skim the line you need to add a extra foot to be sure. Thats easy to do right! :D
At a big F3F race last year there was a system that used a PC for the beeps and scoring. Well if the computer was doing scores or running a subroutine the beep would get delayed. A few guys went to the base made a turn, came back about 10 meters and went to turn back to get the horn when it finally went off! Talk about throwing you off! This was clearly a time for a protest and some received re-flights. This sounds like you have no recourse and have to keep the times. Go big or stay home!

You guys are doing awesome!



I would say that the late beep cost Mike S more than a second on both of his speed runs. The late beep is actually built in to the system. First it is turn by Jury. Two of three turn judges must hit the button before you get the turn, then there is a delay built into the system, maybe a half a second. I think this really through Mike off. We practice with a simple system, and trained turn helpers that are on the button (just like our F3F set ups). The beep comes immediately. If you get a half second of silence, you would turn around. I think this caught Mike off guard (speculation, I am not Mike).
<<<>>>

BTW, the weather should be getting better, and we have finished 2 and 1/3 rounds in the first two days. This should be a great contest. It is definitely a marathon, not a sprint.

Thanks for your interest,
David

[Daryl Perkins]

Don't EVEN try to outdrink the Germans!!! They drink better than they fly speed.

Tom, it looks like they are only 2 rounds and a duration task into the contest, not a full 3. Great results so far none the less!!!

Have fun guys! And keep up the good work!

dp

[davzucker]

Don't EVEN try to outdrink the Germans!!! They drink better than they fly speed.

dp


Maybe just enough to see if they'll let another Radical cross the Atlantic.
Still wondering how Aaron pulled it off.

Z

[mlachow]

Don't EVEN try to outdrink the Germans!!! They drink better than they fly speed.


Better approach would be to try to get the Aussies to outdrink the Germans. That would be a good match.

[Pheasant]

More rain today. Everybody flew distance, Tom and Mike getting 1000's, Aaron dropped a couple of laps. Mike and Aaron flew speed, we had power on the winch and Mike about to throw when it got stopped for rain.

There's been some further dispute about splitting the group in speed for scoring, as a result the CD has been replaced.

Round 4 distance is now starting, with the remainder of round 3 speed presumably to be flown immediately prior to round 4 speed.

Craig.

[mlachow]

How has the end winch position been working out? I guess you go to the other end
of the winch line tomorrow.

With the changing conditions, I guess there hasn't been enough flying to know if
once side is better than the other.

Good to hear about 1000's in distance.

[baum58]

Hi Timmig,
This is the lucky one (Peter)..... Leanne not only is with me at the Worlds, she also flys a heli and an AVA. She know how to time, read air. Last time on the field (in Michigan)she needed help with the AVA four times...... "Peter help me to get the AVA so I can SEE IT BETTER.'" She was the higest on the field way over 1000 feet up. I needed to get the glider down to about 400 so she could do it again.

The Lucky One

[Pheasant]

The end position sucks. I asked to have a landing zone established at our end, which they did, but it can only be used for restarts, not for final landings in distance. Pilots have to allow time and altitude to come back and land on the east side of the winch lines as there is no landing area at all on the west side of the launch area. So chasing good distance air on the east side has its limitations.

Tomorrow we swap to the other end.

Craig.

How has the end winch position been working out? I guess you go to the other end
of the winch line tomorrow.

With the changing conditions, I guess there hasn't been enough flying to know if
once side is better than the other.

Good to hear about 1000's in distance.

[mlachow]

Hi Timmig,
This is the lucky one (Peter)..... Leanne not only is with me at the Worlds, she also flys a heli


And Peter had to ban her from flying the Heli indoors near the kitchen. He hates getting hit with blades while cooking.... :D

Skip also thinks she is a good cross country soaring driver. Driving down the road in a convertible with a blonde... and flying...

[mlachow]

The end position sucks.
Kind of what I figured based on field layout and pit areas. Hopefully the rest of the week all you have to focus on is flying. Close position will also be nicer to finish up the week with some good speed runs.

Good to see Haley's first distance flight in round 4. That's a second distance hit on Liese. But it looks like you're almost past the rain so there won't be any thunderbolts to put a hit on the Herrig's.

[prondel]

I just learned from the french Team manager that they started distance of the round 4 before finishing the speed of round 3 (because of the rain that stopped the group in the middle).

therefore the scores/ranking (individual and team) are no more accurate until everybody fly the round 3 speed :(

[Daryl Perkins]

From the looks of the speed scores and distance totals, it looks like the Herrig brothers have a serious launch advantage on the rest of the field. I'm assuming pretty flat conditions. Is this correct?

[timmig]

WOW---does Leanne have a sister?? Hohohho---definitely a keeper!!! You get the "Lucky Dog" award when the yellow flag comes out!! :):)
GO TEAM USA!!
T

[glderguy]

Those Herrig brothers! "Who are those guys anyway?"

[F3X]

How about a challenge!

$5.00 for every 1000 point round flown by a USA team member for the team fund.

Who will match this enormous and generous amount to support our guys? They are warmed up now and I see nothing but 1000's from here on out!

[mlachow]

Looks like they have finished for the day with round 4 distance complete and two groups in round 4 duration.

[infopimp]

I'll match that Tom.

[Pheasant]

Daryl,

They get great launches but we're competitive on launch, as are many other teams. The Herrig's are just really good. Their speed runs are smooth and clean, tight at B, nice altitude management.

Conditions variable but mostly fairly flat. Not many restarts in the first three days, partly due to conditions, partly due to the mud and the associated risk/time running a model back.

Craig.


From the looks of the speed scores and distance totals, it looks like the Herrig brothers have a serious launch advantage on the rest of the field. I'm assuming pretty flat conditions. Is this correct?

[F3X]

:D I'll match that Tom.

Sweet! Any one else???

Come on you cheap :censored: pony up.

[Daryl Perkins]

I'm in Tom.

[Joe W]

I'm in...

Funds due at Visalia!

[F3X]

I'm in...

Funds due at Visalia!

Great that might shame some more guys to join!

It's like a drinking game..every time the USA gets a 1000 pt round you pull out 5 bucks! Shoot you can pound a beer as well if that helps!

So how much are we in so far?

[Pheasant]

Thanks for the added support guys. Spending money is easy over here, and Tom is a dessert eating machine....

Got done with Round 4 a few minutes ago. Good results for Mike and Tom in duration, Aaron flew first in tough air and dropped about a minute and a half in flat air. Unfortunately a couple guys got the time, but Aaron had one to drop in duration so we're not dead yet.

Spoke to the new CD this morning and they're still aiming for 7 rounds, so a throwout is very likely.

Craig.

[raschow]

How about a challenge!

Already signed up on RCSE. Good Lift!

[danfield]

How do you get rewarded a 1000 pt penalty???

Dan

[lesterpk]

There is a safety line between the bases during the speed task. Cross that line while doing your run and 1000pt penalty is yours.
Les.

[mlachow]

Round 5 speed in. Unless your name is Herrig, looks like a 900 is a real good speed run.

Team keeps creeping up the leader board, but there is still round 6 where a bunch of folks will pop up a bit.

[Pheasant]

Done with Round 5 distance. Tom had a two lap win, Mike and Aaron two and three lap losses respectively.

Duration next.

[mrfski]

Count me in Tom.
Mart

[target]

Our boys are doing really well!
Way to go, guys!!!!

Target

[Joe W]

Craig and David,

You should remind the US pilots that being one second off on the duration landing will be costing them $$$ now!

You guys are doing great, keep up the good flying.

[jojoen]

Hi guys! RC-groups is nice ;)
But the Norwegians and Danes cost Tom $$ in round 6. Sorry
Could have spotted the Norwegian down but not the Danish one...

Just had to reply...

We are here and you are back home ;)))
Regards Jojo

[Joe W]

If Martin Herrig could only learn how to land... :-)

Outside of duration, he has lost a TOTAL of just over one point!!! (I'm sure it was a timing error)

He is evidently flying in a different contest than the mere mortals that are flying at the WC, excepting his brother. An amazing performance by the Herrigs.

Anyone for F3J? :-)

[F3X]

After 5 rounds we have:
10 1000pt flights by team USA.

Come on @ $5.00 a 1000 it's cheap fun.

Support our troops!

btw. We all know how good Mike gets when there is $1.00 on the line!

[jojoen]

Aaron flew against me 2min ago and got full score 10:00 and 100p so more $ out of your pockets ;)
Yes I do cheer for US too ;)

[Richard S]

Does anyone know if this competition has a flyoff?

If so, what is the format (i.e. how many rounds of speed/distance/thermal)

Thanks

Richard

[jofo1]

:D

Sweet! Any one else???

Come on you cheap :censored: pony up.
I'm in. j

[jsteifel]

No flyoff. This is bring what you got... if you get 6 rounds you throw out your lowest.

[Pheasant]

Looks like we'll get six, quite possibly seven. Tomorrow we have distance and speed remaining in round 6. They may or may not fly Saturday, but the CD said he'd like to get 7 rounds done.

The throwout will help the US team, but of course helps others also.

Craig.


No flyoff. This is bring what you got... if you get 6 rounds you throw out your lowest.