First National-Record-Holder Patch Award Ceremony
At a recent meeting of the San Fernando Valley Silent Flyers Club, member Carl Goldberg distributed the new AMA National Record Holder patches. He awarded a total of 54 patches at the meeting: 53 to SFVSF club members and one to nonmember guest Keith Kindrick. All patches were for RC sailplane records.
Eleven modelers divided the 54 awards:
- Jerry Krainock — 16 patches (six Open Distance, six Declared Distance, three Thermal Duration, and one Duration National Record)
- Alex Bower — 9 patches
- Gary Ittner — 7 patches
- Adam Peltz — 5 patches
- Mike Reagan — 5 patches
- Larry Pettyjohn — 3 patches
- Benny James — 2 patches
- Mike Bame — 1 patch
- Keith Kindrick — 1 patch
- David Peltz — 1 patch
- Norm Timbs, Jr. — 4 patches (awarded in absentia while at school)
The Turnaround Pattern
During many discussions with pilots, it seemed several were preoccupied with next year's competition. Many acted as though it was a foregone conclusion they would be flying the FAI Turnaround Pattern next year, even though the RC Contest Board members had not yet voted. Because of this preoccupation, many were reluctant to build a new airplane for this year's competition. Instead, they made do with their existing aircraft while thinking about next year. There were notable exceptions: fliers who had a good chance of making the U.S. Team and wanted to maximize their chances by building a new airplane.
Planes
- Dave Brown flew a new airplane he called an Illusion. It looks much like a mid-wing Tiporare, and he grew tired of explaining that it was an Illusion, not a Tiporare.
- Steve Helms flew his new Sensation design with an inverted engine and a variable-pitch propeller, finished in Helms' typically flawless manner.
- Tony Frackowiak nearly lacked an airplane when an elevator servo failed a week before the competition. He managed to belly it in with minor, repairable damage.
- Don Lowe crashed his new Phantasy design on the morning of the last practice day, forcing him to use a backup Phoenix 8. Mechanical problems and lack of recent competition time with that plane led to poor early scores. He then borrowed Dean Pappas' Upchuck for the last two rounds, and his scores improved dramatically.
Background on the Upchuck: the airplane is actually a modified XLT. Dean Pappas named it after deciding to change the fuselage when the kit plans almost made him "upchuck." Don Lowe suggested the name, and it stuck. Bill Cunningham flew a stock XLT to 13th place, showing the design is competitive even unmodified.
Personalities
Bill Cunningham was a newcomer to most attendees. He was in third place after the second round, prompting many to ask, "Who is Bill Cunningham?" Although he moved down in the standings later, he proved himself a young, talented flier with a strong future in Pattern competition.
Notable by his absence was Mark Radcliff, a four-time U.S. Team member since earning a berth at the 1975 Masters Tournament. Mark has not flown much lately after remarrying and having a new baby.
Dave Brown observed that when he was first selected for the U.S. Team (1975 Masters Tournament), he was the oldest U.S. Team member at age 29. Now, eight years later, he was chosen for the U.S. Team for the fifth time and would likely remain among the older competitors at the World Championships.
Amenities
Most contestants, helpers, and their families stayed at the park lodge about a quarter-mile from the runway. The lodge pool was a welcome place to cool off after hot days at the flight line. Weather was hot, with daytime highs over 90°F and near-calm wind conditions throughout the three days of competition.
Kentucky State Park personnel were very helpful and provided many facilities used at the flight line. They enjoyed hosting the Masters Tournament at Rough River and looked forward to future RC contests there, including the Mint Julep Meet.
In Summary
Contest Director Ron Hesselbrock performed yeoman service in putting on an excellent contest. He even recruited his parents to run up and down the flight line in a golf cart picking up score sheets. Howard Crispin served as Chief Judge and managed the difficult task of organizing 12 judges. Ron, Howard, and all the other volunteers can be proud of their efforts at the 1983 Masters Tournament.
Awards (continued)
An AMA Executive Council decision in 1982 created these awards, and the patches have only recently been added to the inventory of AMA Headquarters' Competition Department.
Who is eligible for these awards?
- Anyone holding a National Record on January 1, 1983, is eligible to receive one of these new patches.
- Modelers setting National Records after January 1, 1983, should automatically receive a patch when their Record Application forms are approved.
- Modelers who held National Records prior to January 1, 1983, can obtain patches by written request at a price of $2.50 per patch.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
