Edition: Model Aviation - 1979/02
Page Numbers: 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90
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Competition Newsletter

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS 515 Fifteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

RC Aerobatics Team Program

As of mid-November, 64 people had registered their intent to try to qualify for the Masters Tournament team selection finals and had paid the $10 program entry fee. Of this number, 42 have qualified by placing in the top one-third of a Master class event with at least five fliers at an AMA-sanctioned meet. Members of the 1977 U.S. RC Aerobatics Team automatically are qualified, each having paid the program entry fee: Dave Brown (Cincinnati, OH); Rhett Miller III (Tallahassee, FL); and Mark Radcliff (Newport, OH).

The 42 who have qualified as of press time are as follows (some of the 19 others may still qualify by the December 31 deadline):

  • Wayne Abernathy, Hillside, MD
  • Donald L. Atwood, Denver, CO
  • Roderick W. Barnes, Zanesville, OH
  • Sal Battaglia, New Rochelle, NY
  • Andre Bauchard, King of Prussia, PA
  • Tony Bonetti, Emerson, NJ
  • Joe Bridi, Harbor City, CA
  • John Britt, Hazelwood, MO
  • George Buzel, Jr., Stamford, CT
  • Ron Chidgey, Pensacola, FL
  • Charles Danley, Baytown, TX
  • Denis Donohue, Bergenfield, NJ
  • Alan C. Dupler, Millersport, OH
  • Tony Frackowiak, Erie, PA
  • William M. Furori, Commack, NY
  • Joseph G. Gross, Altus, OK
  • Steve Helms, Pensacola, FL
  • George Hill, Annandale, VA
  • Ed Izzo, Holliston, MA
  • Ed Keck, Webster, NY
  • Jim Kimbro, Oceanside, CA
  • Dean Koger, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
  • Daniel E. Kowallek, Kokomo, IN
  • Fred Kugel, Celina, OH
  • W. R. Lippincott, Jr., Boyce, VA
  • Don Lowe, Dayton, OH
  • William Macek, Bethlehem, PA
  • Thomas Moore, Forestville, MD
  • Michael J. Mueller, Rolling Meadows, IL
  • William Ney, Wheeling, WV
  • Lloyd Nicholson, Denver, CO
  • Jim Oddino, Woodland Hills, CA
  • Roy Pinner, Waterford, MI
  • C. W. Reed III, Raytown, MO
  • Donald Seals, Paris, IL
  • Pat Shuttleworth, Warren, IN
  • William E. Thomas, Bartlesville, OK
  • Bruce Underwood, Guntersville, AL
  • James E. Vanderwalker, Clintonville, WI
  • David von Linsowe, Linden, MI
  • David G. Weitz, Jr., Henderson, NV
  • Ralph White, Neoga, IL

In early January the finalists will be voting on where to hold the RC Masters Team Selection Tournament from among the sites that have been offered. The World Championships, for which the U.S. three-man team is being selected, are planned for South Africa, probably in September or October 1979.

NMPRA Championships

The NMPRA Championship Race is Pylon Racing's Tournament of Champions. The National Miniature Pylon Racing Association is an organization made up of pylon race fliers throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The organization is responsible for the promotion and betterment of pylon racing; most of the rules governing these events have come from the NMPRA.

The NMPRA rotates the race site from year to year, choosing U.S. locations with favorable weather at the end of October (Florida, California, Texas, then back to Florida). This year the races were held in Dallas, TX, October 21–22, with excellent weather.

To qualify for the Championship Race a person must finish in the top 20% of his NMPRA district, requiring considerable effort and determination. There were 49 entrants signed in and ready to compete when registration closed at 6:00 p.m. on October 20. During registration, checks were made for AMA memberships and FCC licenses. Planes were safety-checked (clevises, linkage, radio installation, engine mounting, control surfaces), and measured and weighed per the rules.

Planes were judged for appearance (as in Formula 1, the best-looking planes take off first). The planes were put into four groups and the championship award for best plane was presented. Out of about 90 very attractive airplanes, the honor again went to Ron Schorr for his Pole Cat (he had also been tops at the Nats).

Saturday morning at 8:45 the first race began. There was a lot of jockeying for the lead. Ron Schorr, a favorite after winning the AMA Nats in August, suffered several flameouts. Bill Preis led early but had a "0" for a few short laps; Bill Williamson, fast all year, also suffered engine failures.

Charlie Brunner had a hard-luck day: in a close race he overturned the No. 3 pylon, and later had a mid-air at the No. 1 pylon with his backup plane. Despite setbacks, Charlie is expected to be back next year.

For the first time in years some fliers from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan attended the Championship Races: Art Arno finished 18th, Rex Knepper 22nd, and Wayne Yeager 36th. They plan to try to qualify and attend again in 1979.

Near the end of Saturday, John McDermott, Bob Reuther, and Dave Shadel were tied for first. In one of the last heats Dave Shadel's wing exploded at the No. 1 pylon, ending his bid for the lead.

Saturday evening's banquet was served in the headquarters motel ballroom. The guest speaker was Mike Clark, ex-Dallas Cowboy football player; he and his son are model airplane enthusiasts and Mike served as an official lap counter during the meet.

(The top five: John McDermott, 1st; Bob Reuther, 2nd; Gary Hover, 3rd; Ed Allen, 4th; Mike Atzei, 5th.)

Sunday was another perfect day, with temperatures near 90 degrees. Racing was even more competitive, though mishaps were relatively few. In one of the best races, Tom Castellano and the Clay/Barrett team had a slight mid-air—paint transferred under Tom's wing—but no significant damage. Tom won that race to appreciative applause.

John McDermott and Bob Reuther remained tied until the ninth round, when Bob was edged out in a close race with Ed Allen, dropping Bob one point. John finished with a perfect score for 10 rounds and posted the fast time of 1:13.2.

Ties were broken either by flyoffs or by best time. In the flyoff for fifth place, Mike Atzei beat Dave Shadel when Dave failed to start. Dennis O'Brien edged the Clay/Barrett team in a flyoff for 8th and 9th. The author, Bill Hager, won a three-way flyoff with Cliff Telford and Gale Helms for 12th–14th. Pete Reed beat Art Arno in a flyoff for 17th–18th.

After final point computations, awards were presented. NMPRA supplied silver wine coolers through fifth place and silver dishes for 6th through 20th, plus best finish and fast time awards. Kits from several manufacturers were also awarded. The biggest surprise was cash accompanying the trophies: $300 for first, $200 for second, $150 for third and fourth, $100 for fifth, and $100 for fast time. The prize money came from an anonymous donor.

The race has come a long way since its inception in 1973, improving every year. The NMPRA is growing, and with proper care and promotion it should continue to reach new heights. In the author’s opinion, Formula I racers are the easiest, best-flying planes in RC—"Try it, you'll like it!"

A closing comment from Ed Rankin: Contest Directors for the AMA Nats and the NMPRA Championships should be not only experienced CDs but also experienced pylon fliers.

Thanks to the Dallas RC Club, Ed Rankin and all the workers for a fine contest.

1978 NMPRA Championship Race Results

  • Pl. 1 — John McDermott — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 40 — Best Time 1:13.2
  • Pl. 2 — Bob Reuther — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 39 — Best Time 1:17.7
  • Pl. 3 — Gary Hover — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 37 — Best Time 1:18.4
  • Pl. 4 — Ed Allen — LR1A/ST — Pts. 36 — Best Time 1:20.0
  • Pl. 5A — Mike Atzei — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 34 — Best Time 1:17.6
  • Pl. 6A — Dave Shadel — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 34 — Best Time 1:18.4
  • Pl. 7 — Tom Castellano — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 32 — Best Time 1:17.3
  • Pl. 8A — Dennis O'Brien — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 31 — Best Time 1:21.5
  • Pl. 9A — Clay/Barrett Team — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 31 — Best Time 1:18.8
  • Pl. 10 — Bill Preis — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 31 — Best Time 1:16.2
  • Pl. 11 — Doug Ruble — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 29 — Best Time 1:19.1
  • Pl. 12A — Bill Hager — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 29 — Best Time 1:20.5
  • Pl. 13A — Cliff Telford — Little Toni/K&B — Pts. 29 — Best Time 1:23.5
  • Pl. 14A — Gale Helms — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 29 — Best Time 1:26.3
  • Pl. 15 — Mike Heisel — Minnow/ST — Pts. 28 — Best Time 1:22.0
  • Pl. 16 — Charles Monnett — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 27 — Best Time 1:19.0
  • Pl. 17A — Pete Reed — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 25 — Best Time 1:25.0
  • Pl. 18A — Art Arno — Little Toni/K&B — Pts. 25 — Best Time 1:26.1
  • Pl. 19B — Bill Williamson — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 23 — Best Time 1:18.5
  • Pl. 20B — Carl Simms — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 23 — Best Time 1:20.2
  • Pl. 21B — George Parks — Little Toni/K&B — Pts. 23 — Best Time 1:23.0
  • Pl. 22B — Rex Knepper — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 23 — Best Time 1:25.0
  • Pl. 23B — Bob Wallace — Minnow/ST — Pts. 23 — Best Time 1:26.9
  • Pl. 24B — David Donat — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 22 — Best Time 1:22.9
  • Pl. 25B — Steve Dentz — Minnow/K&B — Pts. 22 — Best Time 1:27.0
  • Pl. 26 — Tim Edwards — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 21 — Best Time 1:27.1
  • Pl. 27B — Rusty Van Baren — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 19 — Best Time 1:20.6
  • Pl. 28B — Gary Heithald — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 19 — Best Time 1:30.7
  • Pl. 29B — Rick Oliver — Midget Mustang/ST — Pts. 18 — Best Time 1:25.4
  • Pl. 30B — Gary McPike — Minnow/ST — Pts. 18 — Best Time 1:34.0
  • Pl. 31B — Jerry Boyce — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 18 — Best Time 1:34.6
  • Pl. 32B — Leonard Ledson — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 17 — Best Time 1:29.8
  • Pl. 33 — Greig Simpson — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 16 — Best Time 1:25.5
  • Pl. 34 — Mark Hartu — Midget Mustang/ST — Pts. 15 — Best Time 1:26.8
  • Pl. 35B — Larry Barnes — Rickey Rat/ST — Pts. 14 — Best Time 1:28.3
  • Pl. 36B — Wayne Yeager — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 14 — Best Time 1:30.3
  • Pl. 37 — Ron Schorr — Pole Cat/K&B — Pts. 13 — Best Time 1:37.7
  • Pl. 38 — Jim Kimbro — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 12 — Best Time 1:23.6
  • Pl. 39 — Dan Downing — Midget Mustang/K&B — Pts. 10 — Best Time 1:30.5
  • Pl. 40 — Francisco Gonzalez — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 8 — Best Time 1:40.0
  • Pl. 41 — Bob Brogdon — El Bandido/K&B — Pts. 6 — Best Time 1:24.7
  • Pl. 42 — Jeff Bertken — Minnow/K&B — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:31.8
  • Pl. 43 — Glen Sicotte — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:32.0
  • Pl. 44 — Charlie Brunner — Little Toni/ST — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:34.3
  • Pl. 45 — Norm Johnson — Minnow/ST — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:44.5
  • Pl. 46 — Gail Jacobson — Pole Cat/ST — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:44.3
  • Pl. 47 — Omar Lopez — Midget Mustang/K&B — Pts. 3 — Best Time 1:54.6
  • Pl. 48 — Dan Kaylor — Minnow/ST — Pts. 0 — Best Time —
  • Pl. 49 — Sergio Baimano — Midget Mustang — Pts. 0 — Best Time —

A = Tie broken by flyoff B = Tie broken by best time

George Parks and his wife teamed up to finish 21st — not bad considering the quality of the competition.

Tournament of Champions (T.O.C.) — Aresti Pattern

Report and photos by Dave Lane.

This year's Tournament of Champions was outstanding, thanks in no small part to the sponsors—Circus Circus Hotel Casino and Model Airplane News. In five years the event has evolved from the FAI RC Aerobatic Pattern to more complicated maneuvers, including this year's sophisticated Aresti routine for semi-scale (85%) replicas of full-scale aerobatic aircraft.

The most popular models were the Zlin Z-50-L and the Zlin S26-AS, with the Spinks Akromaster close behind. Other models included the Kraft Super Fli, Laser 200, Stephens Acro, Chipmunk, Cap 20 L, Cap 10, Cranfield A-1, Hiper-bipe, Sportmaster 150, Skybolt and a Dalotel DM-165.

Hanno Prettner won the T.O.C. for the fifth time with a total score of 5,061 points. Dave Brown was second with 4,721.5; Ivan Kristensen third with 4,712.5; Dean Koger fourth with 4,669; and Wolfgang Matt fifth with 4,623 points. Wolfgang flew the four final rounds with intermittent radio problems and still finished only 438 points off the pace.

Ivan Kristensen flew a beautiful Cap 10 (a two-place aerobatic trainer) to third place and $5,000.

This year's pattern consisted of the following 20 maneuvers:

  1. One loop with one inside snap roll at the top of the loop.
  2. Hammerhead (turn-around maneuver).
  3. Slow roll.
  4. One-half Cuban eight with 1½ outside snap rolls (turn-around maneuver).
  5. Square inside loop.
  6. Immelmann turn (turn-around maneuver).
  7. Inside snap roll on 45-degree down line.
  8. Hammerhead with 1/2 roll on down line (turn-around maneuver).
  9. Outside loop from inverted flight.
  10. Wind correction maneuver (turn-around maneuver).
  11. Wind correction maneuver (turn-around maneuver).
  12. Four-point roll.
  13. 1/2 reverse Cuban eight with 1½ snap rolls on 45-degree upline (turn-around maneuver).
  14. Slow roll on 45-degree upline.
  15. 1½-turn spin (turn-around maneuver).
  16. Eight-point roll.
  17. Hump turn-around (turn-around maneuver).
  18. Rolling 360-degree turn (circle).
  19. 1/2 Cuban eight (turn-around maneuver).
  20. Vertical roll.

The pattern was fun to watch and a joy to judge. Competitors should be commended for flying well with limited practice time. Pilots not only learned a new routine but also designed and built new aircraft for the competition.

Tournament of Champions — Results / Model Data

  • Pl. 1 — Hanno Prettner; Austria; 5061.0; $15,000; Dalotel DM-165; Webra .61
  • Pl. 2 — Dave Brown; U.S.A.; 4721.5; $7,000; Zlin Z-50; OS 90 FSR
  • Pl. 3 — Ivan Kristensen; Canada; 4712.5; $5,000; Cap 10; Webra .91
  • Pl. 4 — Dean Koger; U.S.A.; 4669.0; $4,000; Laser 200; Webra .91
  • Pl. 5 — Wolfgang Matt; Liechtenstein; 4623.0; $3,000; Zlin Z-50-L; Webra .91
  • Pl. 6 — Gunter Hoppe; W. Germany; 2210.5; $2,000; Cranfield A-1; Webra .91
  • Pl. 7 — Steve Helms; U.S.A.; 2193.5; $1,500; Spinks Akromaster; Webra .91
  • Pl. 8 — Richard Brand; Rhodesia; 2190.5; $1,300; Zlin Z-526; Webra .91
  • Pl. 9 — Phil Kraft; U.S.A.; 2190.0; $1,000; Super Fli; Webra .91
  • Pl. 10 — Gichi Naruke; Japan; 2189.0; $900; Chipmunk; YS 1.2
  • Pl. 11 — Mark Radcliff; U.S.A.; 2175.0; $800; Super Fli; Webra .91
  • Pl. 12 — Fred Kugel; U.S.A.; 2174.5; $800; Spinks Akromaster; Webra .91
  • Pl. 13 — Jeff Tracy; Australia; 2172.5; $600; Cap 20 L; Quadra
  • Pl. 14 — Don Lowe; U.S.A.; 2155.5; $600; Zlin Z-526 AS; Webra .91
  • Pl. 15 — Bruno Giezendanner; Switzerland; 2119.0; $600; Zlin 50-L; Webra .91
  • Pl. 16 — Isao Matsui; Japan; 2118.5; $600; Zlin 50-L; OS 90
  • Pl. 17 — Don Weitz; U.S.A.; 2116.0; $600; Spinks Akromaster; Webra .91
  • Pl. 18 — Ron Chidgey; U.S.A.; 2103.5; $600; Spinks Akromaster; Webra .91
  • Pl. 19 — Tony Bonetti; U.S.A.; 2103.5; $600; Super Fli; Webra .91
  • Pl. 20 — Denis Donohue; U.S.A.; 2085.5; $600; Stephens Acro; Webra .91
  • Pl. 21 — Benito Bertolani; Italy; 2039.0; $600; Zlin 526-AFS; OPS
  • Pl. 22 — Harald Neckar; W. Germany; 1985.0; $600; Zlin 50-L; Webra .91
  • Pl. 23 — Norm Cassella; U.S.A.; 1845.5; $600; Skybolt; Webra .91
  • Pl. 24 — Ed Keck; U.S.A.; 1777.9; $600; Spinks Akromaster; OS 90
  • Pl. 25 — John Brink; So. Africa; 1764.5; $600; Stephens Acro; Webra .91
  • Pl. 26 — Ralph Brooke; U.S.A.; 1754.5; $600; Hiperbipe; Quadra
  • Pl. 27 — John Lockwood; U.S.A.; 1673.5; $600; Sportmaster 150; Webra .91
  • Pl. 28 — Joe Bridi; U.S.A.; 1541.5; $600; Spinks Akromaster; OS 90

Most aircraft were between 800 and 1,200 sq in wing area. Hanno Prettner's Dalotel had 2,500 sq in and a 9-ft wingspan and weighed 21 lb (maximum allowed was 22 lb). Hanno used two Webra .61s with clutches, driving a two-to-one reduction-geared center shaft with a 20x11 prop; his aircraft flew 40–50 mph in any attitude and used 11 servos.

Dave Brown flew his own Zlin Z-50-L design (870 sq in), all-balsa with foam wing and tail cores. The silver color scheme was hard to see against some skies, but the Zlin was one of the fastest ships.

Ivan Kristensen's Cap 10 was built-up construction with elliptical planform and flew very nicely. Dean Koger flew a Laser 200 familiar from FAI Pattern events (built-up fuselage and foam wing cores). Wolfgang Matt flew a Zlin Z-50-L prototype Topp kit with fiberglass fuselage and foam cores; he had lost other entries to battery and radio problems but still finished fifth.

Most contestants had crashed at least once before the contest, using backup or borrowed ships. A notable example of sportsmanship: Tony Bonetti crashed his Pitts S-1A before the contest and flew Phil Kraft's Super Fli as a back-up.

The judging panel included seven modelers and five full-scale aerobatic pilots/judges: Art Scholl, Lamar Stern, Jim Roberts, Gordon Price, Gerry Zimmerman (full-scale); Bill Johnson, Bob Upton, Warren Hitchcock, Geoff Franklin, Dennis Hunt, Masahiro Kato, and Dave Lane (model judges). The judging was consistent; full-scale judges commented that model judging was remarkably consistent and suggested full-scale judging could learn from model practices.

A major difference in judging the Aresti pattern versus the FAI pattern is that in Aresti you cannot take your eyes off the airplane—every element is judged. Each judge had an assistant who recorded scores for each maneuver, as in full-scale aerobatics.

In the judge's opinion, the T.O.C. Aresti schedule is the direction FAI Pattern should take: it makes events more interesting for fliers and spectators and keeps the aircraft in front of the flier. It also eliminates the spot landing contest commonly seen in pattern flying today.

Special thanks to Jerry Nelson (Contest Director), "Doc" Edwards (Chief Judge), the sponsors, and all who made the contest outstanding.

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