We had a great time at SW Regionals 2006! Numbers of entrants were up slightly at: AMA etc 49, FAI 46, and RC OT about 30. There were 8 folks who entered both AMA and FAI which is more than usual.

The temperatures were good, but with the very long dry spell we've been having, conditions were expected to be dusty and we posted 5 mph speed limit signs on the trails to FF and farther out to RC OT. A number of drivers disregarded the signs and we were troubled with dust clouds at times.

This year, we were prepared to use either a north side or south side flight line at Free Flight - to accommodate the expected wind shift. In spite of the dryness, brush and small trees are thriving on the north side of the field and this forces us to locate farther south. This in turn caused RC OT to move farther west to give everyone as much space as possible. 

At AMA, we had some strong performers and Bob Hanford filed for a record based on his 1/2A Classic gas model's flights.

Pictures have come from John Patton, Mike Woodhouse, Steve Riley, Hank Nystrom, Dave Harding, Eut Tileston, and Dan Keegan.

Dan Keegan with his Piper rubber model

Dennis Donnely's grandson threw this HLG for what seemed like hours - having a grand time!

Dick Nelson flew this big Sattellite-ish model.

Jean Andrews had a good time flying this CO2 powered BV141 - from a kit by AL

Katy Patton took lots of pictures to help with husband John's SWR report for Model Aviation magazine

David Ramsey, Flying Models mag columnist, flew this Alert with ED Hunter diesel in OT pylon

Jean Andrews on the left, Greg Tutmark on the right. Greg sponsored the FF Powerhouse event which Jean won - and Jean will sponsor it next year

Frank Roberge with his 750 Lucky Lindy - a hot climber!

Elmer Nelson, Phoenix Model Airplane Club President, with his Coupe.

Nick Ellington in his first contest, may have set a record!

Faust Parker with his F1C

Ken Kaiser and Ram Rod

Mike Woodhouse from UK joins us each year to fly Wakefield

Steve Riley pointing out 'something' on Ted Hidinger's Lucky Lindy

Randy Archer launches for son Ryan

Randy and Ryan Archer were selling these folding wing catapult gliders

Somebody's Wake climbing strongly

Sattellite time!

Ted Firster winds his Coupe

Jean and the BV in action. A friend wants to make one up as a P-30 - that will bother some folks!

Elmer Nelson winding

Someone lost this Detroit Balsa Bugs hat. It's kind of faded, but I'm sure he'd like it back! Contact AL at aalmps@aol.com

Mike Woodhouse took this pic of a roadrunner. We've seen one at Eloy, but believe that he lives up at the truckstop, about 5 miles north.

This stand is useful for rubber models and we've seen variations that accept the wings of power models. In each case, it pivots freely and lets the model go to the downwind side

John Epley. long time FFer, just watching this year

Bob Goldie 

Bud Romak with the famed Oakland Cloud Dusters trailer

Part of the AMA official crew:

Greg Tutmark, Katy Patton, and John Patton

Randy Archer and Terry Kerger retrieving

Carl Redlin and Bob Goldie between flights

There it is!

This is a really neat  chase bike! Don't know if it's home made or a commercial item, but it does look 'right'.

There were lots of dust devils this year.

Greg Tutmark comes down from the Seattle area each year to work the AMA official's desk. He really enjoys his visits with us and gets to know most of the flyers. Here's what he had to say about SWR 2006:

This year was, well, er, ah ‘different’. Some of the things I expected to happen, did and some things I hadn’t expected did, some times with a vengeance. Many of the faces I’ve grown used to seeing each year were there again; some weren’t. To those of you who couldn’t make it, I hope all is well, you were missed.

First, I want to congratulate Nick Ellington. This was his first contest, and he dominated B gas. What makes it even more impressive is Nick rekitted his Satellite on Saturday morning testing. He flew all his flights on his backup airplane. We will be hearing from this young man in the future. Well done Nick.

Saturday morning was spent renewing friendships with all the folks I’ve not seen since last year. It was great to have Dan and Marion Keegan down from Carson City again. I’m pleased  to say that Marion still makes some of the best coffee anywhere. Thanks. It is doubly nice to note that Dan has become a serious and quite competent competitor.

Steve Riley – this may be Steve’s last SWR. He and Jeri have decided to move to New Mexico . As he did last year, Steve put together our trophy package. Last year he did such a great job, I couldn’t believe he did even better this year, Great job, Steve. I for one will miss you terribly - if you ever come back to SWR to visit, I’ll be very happy to see you.

Powerhouse—I just love that airplane.  This year I decided to sponsor a special Taibi Powerhouse event. I even put together an airplane to compete with. Unfortunately, Sal was not able to be with us; maybe next year. I’m sure he would have gotten a kick out of it. Testing on Friday, I broke the gearbox on my plane, (yes, it is electric) the rest of the day was spent scouring the greater Phoenix area for a replacement. No joy- there were none to be had. I tried to glue all the pieces together with the hope that I could get in flights Sunday morning. First thing Sunday, Jean Andrews got in three respectable flights. I decided to wait until afternoon for the wind to die down – BIG mistake. Jean won. Jean has offered to have a new date plate made for the trophy for next year. So, there will be a Powerhouse event for SWR ’07.

As my trips to SWR are also part on my vacation, I try to get in as much sightseeing as possible. This year I made a trip to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson. That place is fantastic. Living in the soggy northwest, I find the desert doubly fascinating; the museum is a “must see” for anyone interested in desert flora, fauna, and ecology.

Everyone in the contest committee puts out a tremendous effort to put on a safe, enjoyable event. This year was no exception. Next year we gonna be even better

greg

Southwest Regionals FAI Results

Dave Harding on the left with Jack Hiner working on Jack's winning electric Wakefield model

Aerial photo from Eut Tileston's camera plane, looking east from RC OT

Eut and the camera plane

Mike Myers, our SAM President, flying his 1/2A Texaco, with Steve Roselle observing

The crowd at RC OT

Dave Warner launching Rob Warner's electric Wakefield

The 'bones' of a Stahl Hurricane - for SOS - Dave Harding's, but it didn't get completed in time

Steve Roselle's Nomad

Eut with the special Stahl Scale SOS award

Lewie Kear with 1/2A Texaco scale MO1

The Sunday evening bar-be-cue is an Eloy institution

Gerald Martin entertains with his guitar and songs

Bar-be-cue viewed from over Gerald's shoulder

Doesn't look all that cold

John Richard's SOS plane won a concours award at Las Vegas. It and Eut's model were flying with 2.4 ghz radios.

Von Warner's 'mystery' Texaco plane - any one know what it is? It's not a Scram.

Eut's winning SOS plane - Miles Magister

Bob Angus sets up the RC OT flight line with outdoor carpet to minimize start-up dust

RC Old Timer Results