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Category: Archive 2011

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1. 3rd World Cup Scuttlebutt
2. A Thermal Spreaks
3. AZ champs
4. 5 days in Tustin

The scuttlebutt is true.  The AMA FAI Executive Committee selected the Colorado proposal and submitted the application to CIAM for the third U.S. WC sanction.  It will be added to the Magnificent Mountain Men (MMM) FAI 14-Rounder the weekend of July 13-15, 2012.  More details as they become available.  Looking forward to an outstanding event.

Chuck Etherington

Sir,

As a thermal I feel it is time to communicate with some of my users over common misconceptions that appear in your, and other, organs of the model flying press. 

I often hear comments such as "the thermal fell apart" which really hurt myself and my follow Thermals, Bumps, Lift, and our children, Up. I can assure you that we take our duties very seriously and never, never fall apart - more likely the model has not been correctly position to take advantage of what we offer. Perhaps it is worth reviewing that aspect and communicating ‘The Thermal's Mission Statement’ :-

1) A model launched correctly and of adequate trim* will betaken to sufficient height to max during the contest rounds. Note we are prepared to even do this in Norway (but not Scotland due to resource limitations).

2) Flyoff flights will be given as much help as possible noting that by the evening most thermals need some rest and recuperation; it's a tough job.

3) Flights launched near thermals will be given as much help as possible, accepting the requirement to meet 1) above (we are not of infinite area)

* adequate trim being defined as within 5% of optimum flight performance as defined by Ian Kaynes or Peter King.

Now much has been said about downdrafts. I can categorically say that these are separate entities and you meet them at your peril. Once we got one quite well together but they had to be asked to leave our union (The Worshipful Company of Liftmongers) and now cause mischief and bring a bad name to our profession. We have asked for mediation and I will update you as appropriate.

My friends also asked me to comment on so called 'thermal picking'. Some of the attempts we have seen are interesting, other quite insulting to us. How would you feel to be covered in bubbles or have trash (I think you call them fluffies) thrown in to you ? No, it's not pleasant and causes much irritation - I ask that this be stopped.

As for the comment "the thermal you put that glider in does not know ...... if the d/t timer is a fuse, clockwork or electronic"well please, we are not stupid. The noise from those ticking timers is annoying,much better to have something quiet like an electronic timer (we don't need the bleep in flight by the way - we know where you are !). However, you are correct is saying that we know when a tracker hasn't been fitted ............. oh what fun to see the panic in your eyes !

So in conclusion, we are there to help and support - we do enjoy being used after all - but please don't take us for granted and don't abuse us. If you would like to support us further you can contribute to us via www.wowthatsamassivebump.com as some of you have done over the last year(thanks Alex, Mikhail and Eugene).

Regards,

Hughe Thermal

 AZ FF Champs Results

F1A
Brian VanNest   180  180  180  180  180  331    1231
Andrew Barron   180  180  180  180  180  311    1211
Don Zink        180  180  180  180  180  196    1096
Peter Brocks    180  180   86  180  180          806
Enes Pecenkovi  180  180  180  180DNF            720
Norm Smith      167  150   93   79  180          669
Lee Hines       180   83  116  118DNF            497

F1B
Blake Jensen    180  180  180  180  180  362    1262
Bill Booth      180  180  180  180  172          892
George Batiuk   180  180  180  180  116          836
Brian Pacelli   180  180  180   97   99          736
Dick Wood       175DNF  DNF  DNF  DNF            175

F1P
Glenn Schneide  131DNF     98   66  180          475

F1Q
Mike Pykelny    103  136  180  165   81          665
John Oldenkamp  168  108  131  124   91          622

F1G
Peter Brocks    120  120  120  120  108          588
Dick Wood       101  120   88  120   93          522

F1H
Norm Smith      120  120  120  120  117          597

F1J
Bob Hanford     120  120  120  120  120          600

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