SEN 1038 - 17 Oct 2006

SEN issue 1038 17 October 2006


Table of Contents
=================
Honesty
The Field of Life - 180-Ben
Recovery - Parker
32nd. California FAI Invitational - Livotto




Honesty
=======
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Hi all

It has been my experience that all rules in free flight are based on the
honesty and integrity of the contestant!


If you want to cheat, you don't even have to fly, just turn in your
time card with a max!

If you want to fly an event with the BOM rule, or any other rule, and you
want to cheat, go ahead. There is no one who can stop you.
Contests are based on the integrity of the contestants, and that is
what makes this hobby wonderful!-----


The Field Of Life
=================
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Much like any intreguing theatrical story, I am going to start with the
end of the tale and then give the full story.


As I stood in the brisk PM breeze as I watched my dad run after his
bicycle, which was the last thing we needed to pack, I took a second
just to take it all in. I'll never forget the mental image that was
forever imprinted into my mind that night. The wind, the dust, the
color of the sky that burned red with streaks of purple and orange, the
looks on the faces of emotionally drained flyers, and lastly the
feeling of longing. Yes I had only missed a team spot by 50 seconds,
but that wasn't sense of longing I was feeling. At that moment I longed
for something I can never take back...I longed for my child hood.

I still remember like it was yesterday, riding on my Schwin, out to the
"dirt jumps"(which was actually just an overgrown clump of dirt). I
remember riding and I still remember thinking how much I loved lost
hills. I loved everything about presidents weekend in February,
Memorial Day weekend in May, and Labor Day weekend in September. I
loved these weekends so much because I had the opportunties every year,
on those sacred days to live a day at Lost Hills. It was much different
back then. I had no interest in FAI and I only wished for my dad to win
so we could all be so excited to come back again. It wasnt about the
models. It was about the dirt, the overturned cars where we turned into
space rangers and conquered a galaxy, merely with a piece of metal that
looked like agun and a stick that we used as a controler. I remember
the long days and the beautiful nights, and the economy in where I got
to watch sportcenter which was so exciting for me since I didnt have
cable at home. I remember famous stars at Carls Jr, cause there was no
wendy's/mcdonalds/arbys back then. Only one American flag flew in lost
hills and it was in the parking lot of CJ's. These were the days I
enjoyed as a young kid.

Later on, Chucky's and catipult interested me, which then turned into
an interest in watching dad fly. But my first real taste of passion, of
freeflight, was in 1998 in Las Vegas. Brian Van Nest gave me the
opportunity to fly an unlatched F1H. That was all it took to get me
hooked. Unlike most of my letters where I talk about my flying, and
love for it, this one has a different tone. This is about so much more
than a piece of 40 lb test and a winder.


Back to the finals, As all these memories graced my mind as I stood
there, I began to feel a deep sense of sadness. I knew that deep down
inside, this was it. I knew that no matter how bad I wanted things to
stay the same, I was playing on a whole new playing field. Lost Hills
has been so good to me, and has given me so many memories that I will
never forget. Its so Ironic to me that I love with all of my heart, the
field that I gained my biggest lifelong scar from, and the same field
that I felt heartbreak on in 2001. But its true, I have given Lost
Hills, CA my heart, and it has given me much in return. So as I took
one least gaze on the horizon I started to tear up. The team spot was
gone...but thats not what hurt. What hurt is the realization of what
freeflight had done for me. I never knew that saying goodbye to one of
the uggliest pieces of Gods great earth, would ever feel so heart breaki=
ng.

But its over now. And I am back at home, but still do I feel that same
longing for the days where Lost Hills was just another part of my
yearly life. Its amazing what an hour can do to a person's mindset. One
moment im congratulating the team members...59 minutes later, Im
realizing that Lost hills has taught me the hardest lesson it has so
far. That lesson is, "moving on". After the finals 2006, this chapter
of my life has closed. I wont be back on that hallowed ground for at
least a year as I will be in Africa learning to serve, and learning new
lessons which Lost Hills although an amazing place, could never teach
me. But even that is uncertain.


The whole reason I am writing this for, is actually you. Thats right,
every person reading this. This applies to you. Cherish the sport, love
it for all that is and love it with all that you have. The people that
are lucky enough not to have to say goodbye to it, are the luckiest of
all. The finals is an extremely tough competition, but dont let it get
you down. Learn from your mistakes! Come back and prevail. I vow that
if I can come back...I will come back with a vengance. But for now,
this is goodbye. To the field and sport that taught me so much, and to
the people who I have grown up admiring, Thank you! =


I leave you with one thing. It was the last thought I had as I was
pulling onto Holloway. If its just dust, and its just a sport on a
field then why do I feel like I left my slowly beating heart on the
gravel at the exit off the field. If its just a game, why does it feel
like that white pillar is my home? The reason is that it isnt just a
sport. It is our heart and it is our love! If you forget everything
else that I have ever written, please just remember this. The victory
is not better than the sport, and the lessons we learn are better than
the cup. Its not just dirt guys, its not just a sport. We walk and we
fly on the field of life.

I'll be back

Benjamin Coussens


Recovery
========
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Wow! Thanks to all of you who have called and/or sent cards. It's really
nice to hear from my friends - breaks the boredom of the daily routine
(daytime TV sucks!). I was absolutely taken back by the wonderful card
sent from Lost Hills (Jim Bradley - instigator) and signed by all of
you. I really missed being at the finals, but the card helped to ease
the pain. I missed seeing everyone most of all.

The recovery is going well. I'm just past a month post-op, have
transitioned from walker to the cane and am "free styling" it some of
the time. I've been driving since two weeks post-op; at work now full
time except for two hours physical therapy three times a week. It will
be a while before I'm cleared for anything as hazardous as chasing on a
motorcycle, but I'm hoping that will happen after the first of the year.
Looking forward to a relatively normal Thanksgiving and Christmas!


Congratulations to the folks that made the team and I hope to see you on
the flight line soon!


Faust Parker


32nd. California FAI Invitational
Oct7th, and 8th. 2006
===============


F1A


1 LIMBERGER, R. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 295 2305
2 McKEEVER, M. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 273 2283
3 BESCHASNY, V. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 268 2278
4 BARRON, A. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 262 2272
5 McQUADE, P, 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 372 1962
6 PARKER, D. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 340 1930
7 PUHAKKA, R. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 168 1758
8 ABAD, J. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 144 1734
9 THOMPSON, M. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 106 1696
10 BRUN, P. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 100 1690
11 TZVETKOV, I. 210 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 86 1676
12 SIFLEET, R. 210 180 180 180 180 178 180 1288
13 KULMAKKO, K. 210 180 180 180 174 180 180 1284
14 SMITH, N. 210 180 180 130 180 180 180 1240
15 BROOCKS, P. 148 180 180 180 180 180 180 1228
16 HINES, L. 203 180 180 180 180 180 116 1219
17 VAN NEST, B. 206 112 180 180 180 180 180 1218
18 FEDOR, M. 180 180 118 180 180 180 180 1198
19 SPENCE, S. 210 180 180 180 85 180 180 1195
20 DIEZ, H. 170 180 180 180 180 180 124 1194
21 PROTHEROE, D. 99 180 180 180 180 180 180 1179
22 STAMOV, V. 210 104 180 180 138 180 180 1172
23 NYHEGN, H. 210 180 180 34 180 180 180 1144
24 ZINK, D. 210 46 175 180 180 180 81 1052
25 EDMONSON, E. 134 50 180 60 180 70 180 854
26 SZURA, M. 108 158 148 47 180 0 117 758
27 DAVIS, J. 126 180 104 180 DNF DNF DNF 590
28 COUSSENS, B. 154 154 73 DNF DNF DNF DNF 381

F1B

1 JENSEN, B. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 220 1840
2 BATIUK, G. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 178 1798
3 VANLANDINGHAM,E. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 149 1769
4 ANDRIUKOV, A. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 194 1514
5 JONES, C. 240 180 180 180 180 180 178 1318
6 FELIX, R. 240 180 180 180 180 167 180 1307
7 BRADLEY, J. 240 180 180 180 180 153 180 1293
8 BIERDON, B. 209 180 180 180 180 180 180 1289
9 ROHRKE, R. 240 143 180 180 180 180 180 1283
10 TYMCHECK, B. 236 180 180 145 180 180 180 1281
11 WOOD, D. 240 180 174 180 138 180 180 1272
12 EMERY, J. 240 180 180 180 180 131 180 1271
13 ULM, A. 240 180 143 180 180 168 172 1263
14 SIMON, G. 176 180 180 180 180 180 180 1256
15 MULLIGAN, M. 240 180 134 180 180 158 180 1252
16 MORRELL, R. 237 180 180 180 111 180 180 1248
17 EDMONSON, D. 158 180 180 180 180 180 180 1238
18 WALTONEM, Y. 240 127 180 180 148 180 175 1230
19 SCHLOSBERG, A. 202 180 144 180 180 180 143 1209
20 SCHROEDTER, M. 240 180 180 180 60 180 180 1200
21 PISERCHIO, B. 240 180 180 132 180 92 180 1184
22 RUYTER, P. 147 155 180 180 180 157 180 1179
23 SHAILOR, B. 240 180 132 180 60 180 180 1152
24 NELSON, E. 209 180 180 24 180 180 146 1099
25 GAGNON, W. 154 180 180 180 45 180 180 1099
26 CROWLEY, P. 176 180 180 180 0 180 122 1018
27 PRATT, J. 152 180 117 180 180 180 ATT 989
28 SCHROEDTER, G. 180 180 180 141 DNF DNF DNF 681
29 IOERGER, T. 210 180 180 39 DNF DNF DNF 609
30 RAYMOND, A. 214 DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF 214

F1C

1 BABENKO, A. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 490 2530
2 CARROLL, E. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 480 2520
3 KERGER, T. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 461 2501
4 GUTAI, B. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 436 2476
5 CHESSON, D. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 426 2466
6 MENANO, G. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 423 2463
7 SPENCE, H. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 414 2454
8 VERBITSKY, E. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 407 2447
9 MATHIS,D. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 350 2390
10 KIRILENKO, A. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 306 2346
11 HAPPERSETT, K. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 300 420 248 2288
12 SERVAITES, B. 240 180 180 180 180 180 180 194 1514
13 ELLINGTON,J 232 180 180 180 180 180 180 1312
14 ARCHER, R. 240 180 180 180 180 180 170 1310
15 WARREN, J. 240 180 180 180 180 180 170 1310
16 McBURNET, R. 240 62 180 180 180 180 180 1202
17 GEWAIN, M. 144 180 180 180 180 155 120 1139
18 SIMPSON, R. 240 180 180 180 180 60 DNF 1020
19 JOHANNES, D. 190 180 180 0 DNF 180 180 910
20 MORRIS, G. 240 DNF 129 180 180 DNF DNF 729
21 POTI, N. 240 180 145 DNF DNF DNF DNF 565




F1G

1 BELFIELD, M. 180 120 120 120 120 300 960
2 VANLANDINGHAM, E. 180 120 120 120 120 187 847
3 BROCKS, P. 180 120 120 120 120 149 809
4 EDMONSON. E. 180 120 120 120 120 120 780
5 SIMON, G. 172 120 120 120 120 652
6 ODELL, T. 180 120 120 99 120 639
7 NELSON, A. 180 120 120 120 94 634
8 VAN NEST, K. 177 120 120 75 120 612
9 SCHROEDTER, G. 180 120 68 120 120 608
10 GANNON, B. 180 120 120 65 120 605
11 JENSEN, E 160 120 72 120 120 592
12 VAN NEST, B. 131 49 120 120 120 540
13 IOERGER, T. 174 120 120 120 DNF 534
14 WOOD, R. 64 87 79 74 83 387

F1H

1 DAVIS, J. 180 120 120 120 120 300 420 242 1622
2 STAMOV, V. 180 120 120 120 120 300 420 210 1590
3 TERZIAN, F. 180 120 120 120 120 300 420 14 1394
4 McKEEVER, M. 180 113 120 120 120 653
5 THOMPSON, M. 180 120 105 120 120 645
6 PARKER, J. 180 69 120 120 120 609
7 KULMAKKO, K. 180 120 120 65 120 605
8 SMITH, N. 110 120 120 120 120 590
9 BESCHASNY, V. 78 120 120 116 120 554
10 SIFLEET, R. 143 80 120 120 35 498
11 SZURA, M. 84 120 120 46 120 490
12 NORTON, B. 29 0 120 118 120 387
13 VAN NEST, B. 102 120 DNF DNF DNF 222
14 FEDOR, M. ATT ATT DNF DNF DNF 0

F1J

1 KERGER, T. 180 120 120 120 120 300 420 1380
1 ARCHER, R. 180 120 120 120 120 300 420 1380
3 GUTAI, B. 180 120 120 120 120 300 183 1143
4 JOHANNAS, D. 180 120 120 120 120 233 893
5 SPENCE, S. 180 120 120 120 120 178 838
6 FEDOR, M 165 120 104 120 120 629



Note: T. Kerger and A. Archer did not fly-off at the specified time.



...............
Roger Morrell