AAA Birmingham

[GM1]

The AAA Contest is in Birmingham Alabama is this coming weekend, practice May 19, the contest the 20 and 21st. This has been a fun event for the last few years. Hope to see a lot of Class I and Class 2 pilots. This is a great place to begin to get started in a fun and challenging process.
Gordie

[collectivepitch]

where at in b'ham

[GM1]

Here's the link:
http://www.helifreak.com/about11671.html
Gordie

[WillJames]

Man! This sounds like a fun event.

[GM1]

I always have a great time in Birmingham. David, you need to get out and practice some and come play as we miss having you around. I am getting a lot more comfortable with the new schedules. Notice I said more comfortable, not better <g>.
Gordie

[Dr.Ben]

Uh huh.... Now when I go through a maneuver and it looks like hell, I'm relaxed enough to be able to say, "Man, that sure looked like crap." <g>.

Ben

[GM1]

Every once in a while I do a REALLY good maneuver. I am SO proud ............... and then I do five more of the same maneuver in a row that stink. At least now I KNOW they stink. For a while, I had no idea about what they should actually look like.
Gordie

[ClayK]

New forum! me likey

[bkervaski]

I'll be there... Can't wait to see you guys!

[GM1]

We should be in early Friday afternoon to practice. I am hoping for a BIG turnout. As I recall, late afternoon is tough on that field so I want to get there in early afternoon to get a couple of test flights in and get used to the background of the field.
Gordie

[ErichF]

Just found the new forum...Congrats GM and DrB. Need to get Wayne and everyone over here so we can drop RR's contest forum. :arggg:

I'm all trimmed out and ready for some Class II Smack :glasses:

See ya Friday afternoon,

Gordie, save me a good tent spot!!!

Erich

[GM1]

I had to rebuild a motor last night, rear main bearing went south. I will have to do a motor installation at the field on Friday and test run the darn thing. It's always something.
Gordie

[ErichF]

Awwe...that's gotta suck. At least you know you'll have a good smooth motor fresh for the contest. I just installed a new battery system (Li-Ion/reg) in my primary bird. Discharged it a bit on the bench at 3A and test flew it a couple tanks yesterday afternoon. All looks good. Did a pre-trip inspection on her last night, and she's got a clean bill of health.

I checked weather, today they are having a low move out, winds 12 G 22! Hope it settles a little bit for the contest. Our practice down here in Tampa has been regularly in winds 10-14kts. I think I had one, no wind practice day in the past month.

See ya there, rain or shine...

BTW, what are everyone's dinner plans Friday/saturday night?

Erich

[bkervaski]

I'm headed out to the contest field to do my first Class III practice.. probably shouldn't have waited until the last minute.. heh

[ErichF]

What happened to Class II? Moving up at the last minute?

Brave soul!

Erich

[ErichF]

http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=35290&hourly=1&yday=139&weekday=Saturday


Looks nice n warm, moderate winds. Bring the sun block!

We leave in 12 hours.

See ya


Erich

[GM1]

AAA Results were:

Class 2 – 1st Place – Eric Freyman (Tampa, FL)
2nd Place – Zachary Greene (Sylacauga, AL) (and also Best Junior/Senior)
Class 3 – 1st Place – Daniel Hiatt (Winter Garden, FL)
2nd Place – Dennis Purduski (Brandon, MS)
3rd Place – Dave Sellers (Tallahassee, FL)
FAI-F3C – 1st Place – Gordie Meade (Tallahassee, FL)
2nd Place – Rolando Perez (Dade City, FL)
3rd Place – Ben Minor (Richmond, VA)

SPECIAL NOTE: Both Wayne Mann and Cliff Hiatt wanted to ‘step out’ of the standings, so that their fellow FAI contestants can receive deserving recognition for their hard work. Instead, Wayne and Cliff proposed to Don Wade (CD) and Jhon Russell (Co-CD) a ‘Professional Pilot’ level just for this contest. So, between those two, here are their standings:
Professional Competition Pilot – 1st Place – WAYNE MANN
Professional Competition Pilot – 2nd Place – CLIFF HIATT