The 58th Annual

Southwest Regionals Model Airplane Championships

    Eloy, Arizona      

19, 20, 21 JAN 08

updated: 13 FEB 08 5pm MST

January at Eloy, Arizona was again the site of the SW Regionals. We have operated at a number of sites around central Arizona, but but I believe our Toltec Road site is one of the best. It's easy to find, not far from a major freeway with lots of motels and restaurants, plus it offers a lot of space not only for 3 contests running concurrently, but also for free flight flying and chasing! The 3 contests - AMA Free Flight, FAI Free Flight, plus SAM RC Old Timers and this year's first informal swap meet provide a lot for modelers to do!

One big change we made for 2008 was to spread out AMA/NFFS/SAM Free Flight over 3 days instead of our traditional 2. The RC Old Timer contest has been running their effort as 3 days as far back as I can remember, but now, due to suggestions and a survey, we switched to 3 at AMA etc FF. The weather was just great, but things seemed more relaxed and I was concerned that maybe we had fewer entrants, but a review of each event's results showed many events with more than the usual suspects turning in times. In terms of numbers, there were 48 entrants in AMA etc Free Flight, 47 in FAI Free Flight, and 22 in RC Old Timer.

Distinguished Folks

News about our favorite model magazine columnists: 

~ Larry Kruse and Gene Smith both managed to make it this year, evading whatever bad weather might have been between Oklahoma and Eloy. They got in a lot of flying They both had Tomboys, too.

~ Don DeLoach will be doing a report on the SWR for Flying Models mag. We'll watch for that.

~ Elmer Nelson, vice president of the Phoenix Model Airplane Club, will submit a report for the NFFS Digest. He always does a good job on that project. 

Notes from Greg Tutmark, AMA FF Assistant CD

From the Table

Well, it’s been eight or nine years now – honestly, I’ve lost count. This SWR was the best ever for me. Everything worked pretty smoothly , the weather was great, and I just plain had a good time. The three-day format made everything so much easier that I felt better after three days than I used to feel after one day in past years. In previous years, the swap meet has been in Casa Grande, at the Holiday Inn. This year, the room rent went prohibitive. Bill Bickel has single-handedly carried on this collecto and finally was not able to continue. The contest committee decided to advertise an informal swap meet at the contest site. I’m most pleased to report that it was –albeit small- a total success. Best of all; it was free. By mid-afternoon Saturday, people started congregating around the AMA table, and as if by magic, a swap meet happened. Expect the same next season.

Each year, I try to recall the high points than meant the most to me.  This year things are no different. I’d like to remember some very special people that have made this year (and many others) memorable:

First, there is Al Lidberg, my host, chauffer and plain old good buddy. Even if SWR did not take place, I’d come south just to visit Al.

Then there are John and Katy Patton, somehow John or Katy always seem to be there when I need a hand (or a sandwich). Couldn’t do it without them.

Good old Steve Riley – one of the first people I met the first year I came to SWR. Steve’s moved to New Mexico , but still finds time to come to Eloy .  He’s a good friend and I look forward to trading tall tales with him each winter.

Dan and Marion Keegan from Carson City . I can’t remember how many years ago it was that Dan brought me a hot cup of Marion ’s coffee on a particularly cold morning, but it has become a tradition. You two will never know how much I appreciate it. Thanks

Don DeLoach from Colorado – it was Don that first suggested expanding SWR to a three-day contest. I consider that to be one of the best ideas ever-  I wish I’d thought of that myself. Some years ago, Don presented me with a cold can of my favorite beverage after the contest, He’s continued this up through the present. Don, the cold brew in the afternoon is as welcome and appreciated as Marion Keegan’s hot coffee is in the mornings.

Herb Kothe - Herb was one of the first people I met on my first trip to Southwest Regionals. I had no idea of his amazing history – I can’t imagine the skill it takes to be as good as Herb is for as long as he’s been doing it. Every year Herb has sought me out to renew our friendship and wish me well. He is truly a living legend. This year I offered (in jest) to take up a collection for Herb so he can get newer airplanes. I’d bet he’ll still be showing us the way long into the future.

Dave Gardner lives up here in Washington. Most of you don’t know Dave; he’s a control-line flier and occasional SAM proponent. You probably have never heard of him, but i have to tell this little story. In early December, I had a full knee replacement.  I missed work for all of December; and finances were understandably somewhat strained. It didn’t look as if I’d be able to make SWR ’08. Dave came up with 20,000 of his own airline miles  and sent me a free airline ticket. Now you know something about Dave Gardner.

I even brought an airplane to fly and actually flew it. It was one of Al Lidberg’s GE Cabinettes . I powered it with a Gmot300 CO2 motor. It flew fine. Gene Smith even took pictures of it. Thanks, Gene – alas, the baggage handlers got the best of the Cabinette on the trip home despite a hard case and lots of bubble wrap. We’ll have to wait and see what next year brings

All during the contest, people kept thanking me for being there. The way I see it, I should be thanking ALL of you. The contestants and their pit crews are the people who make SWR run. And where else would I be so fortunate to be able to hang out with so many wonderful people? So, to each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart a most sincere THANKS.

greg

Pictures

Our pictures are due to the courtesy of Arline & Don Bartick, Don DeLoach, Eut Tileston, John Nystedt, Gene Wicks, Steve Hesla, Ben Nead, Caley Hand, Mike Woodhouse, Rick Carnrick

AMA/NFFS/SAM Free Flight

Observations from AL

We again set up both Free Flight contests with north and south flight lines. Each of the 3 days saw the north line used first in the morning and then with a wind now coming out of the north about mid-day, we changed to the south flight line. These were quite calm shifts without gripes from the flyers, too, as all had been warned that shifting was planned. Rather than move the AMA, etc officials desk, Greg stayed put on the north side yet found that a clear space was left open so that activity on the south side could be clearly observed.

Ken Kear showed up with his Satellite 1300 with a Rossi .60 - what a ground shaker! It was last flown about 12 years ago, but everything worked well and Kenny racked up a series of maxes, finally timing out on the 5 second runs. This plane may outlast us all. In an extreme contrast, Kenny also flew a Jimmie Allen rubber model and some smaller gas FFs.

It was great to see Mike Woodhouse, over from England again. Mike flew F1B and took pictures for an article in the UK magazine Aviation Modeller International. That mag is where Aeromodeller went as they include such a section each month. He took me aside at one point and quietly said, "I understand there are some folks over there who make aeroplanes from dead trees and cover them with paper. Then they paint them with liquids made of nitrocellulose and then they fly them!"

Ben Nead from Tucson chose the SWR to stage the Carlo Godel Rapier postal contest where builders mailed in their models to be flown by Ben and Rick Carnrick of San Antonio. Ben Jr memorialized the event by taking video coverage and we hope to be able to see that soon. They set up at the far east end of the flight line on Sunday and I'm sure many folks didn't realize what was happening over there. It was exciting to see the relatively tiny models fly so well!

It was nice to see 3 Powerhouses entered in that special event. Tom Carman's [from CA] was a full size version with a Super Cyclone on spark and Dick Nelson plus Jean Andrews, both from Tucson, flew smaller versions; Jean's  with a TD .09, Dick's with a TD .049.

With the sale of the Holiday Inn in Casa Grande, we lost our room reservation for the annual MECA Collecto, but then we took the opportunity to stage a less formal swap meet at the field on Saturday. Without having to ante up about $500 to a hotel, the swap meet was presented as a free activity for sellers or buyers! Lots of engines and other model items changed hands, so it looks like this activity should continue.

My Honda chase bike had suffered from a clogged fuel system at the Las Vegas SAM Champs so I bought a bicycle to bring along to Eloy as a back-up chase vehicle [and for some useful exercise]. On Saturday afternoon, I flew my Tomboy and took off after it on the bicycle. The field to the south periodically gets plowed, which does get rid of brush but it leaves the field less than smooth. While I could keep going on the bike, I discovered that I couldn't both ride and keep the model in sight. Please, no nasty comments about walking and chewing gum or other multi-tasking! I turned back to the field to get out the Walston receiver and my truck. Son Chris and I went out searching. There was no signal at the launch point, and still no signal half-way through the south field. Finally we came up on the uncrossable ditch about 3/4 mile from launch. Chris waved the receiver antenna around and got a signal there, but off to one side and the model was found about 100 yards off the 'line'. This was my first necessary use of the Walston system in about 18 months of ownership - nice to know that it really works!

Greg Tutmark did his usual excellent job at the AMA desk. He really enjoys the duties there and has gotten to know most of the folks. He says he likes the 3 day arrangement - and so do the folks who were there at Mondays' award ceremony. Guess we ought to continue with 3 days!

A week or so after the contest, I sent an email to Mike Woodhouse in the UK thanking him for coming to Eloy again. I also told him that I had enjoyed our fragmented conversations. He replied, "Fragmented? I'll have you know I speak the language like a native!" 

Here's a pic of the 4 guys who put together the AMA side of the SWR: Steve Riley, AL Lidberg, John Patton & Greg Tutmark:

2008 FAI Southwest Regionals Model Airplane Championships

The weather for the 2 days of FAI flying at the 58^th SWR in Eloy was close to perfect with blue Arizona skies. On Saturday, Jan.19 the temperature ranged from just a bit below freezing to about 60°F and winds from 0-7 mph. Sunday, Jan. 20 started out nearly as cold but breezy up to 12 mph. But after 10 AM the wind speed dropped and was never more than 4 mph with total calm for long periods and the temperature at 65°F.

We had a total of 47 sportsmen flying the FAI events. They came from PA, VA, FL, LA, OH, MI, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CO, CA, OR and all the way from Great Britain (Dave Oldfield F1A, Mike Woodhouse F1B, John Bailey F1C, F1J). F1A had 5 flyers in the 1^st fly-off. Sunday morning the cold, breezy air saw then the final fly-off between 3 sportsmen, which was won by René Limberger, the 2007 America Cup winner. F1B had 6 flyers with all maxes. Bob Biedron from Virginia won Wakefield after 2 fly-off rounds. Unlucky Jim Bradley could not get a flight off in the 2^nd fly-off after breaking 3 motors. The 6 pilots with all maxes in the combined F1C/P event chose to fly off on Sunday. Don Chesson won with a long distance flight of 8min 35sec with his new flapper. Bobby Hanford came in 3rd with his Astro-Pearl F1P. On Saturday he set a tentative 2008 record of 29min 14sec. Bernie Crowe was the sole electric flyer so he won F1Q.

The windy conditions in the first 2 rounds on Sunday made it difficult for the mini event flyers. But in F1G 6 sportsmen still managed to max out all 5 rounds. The fly-off in F1G was exciting and went for the 3, 4, 5, 6 minute round in the late afternoon with less and less thermal activity. Tiffaney O’Dell with her electronic timer Coupe came out ahead after 9 rounds of flying to win the “Bear” and carry him off for a year in Oregon . The F1H glider flyers Mike McKeever and Jim Parker were the only ones clean going into the 3-min and then the 4-min round. Mike had a big smile after he made the 240 seconds flight while Jim missed it by 1 second. F1J had only 2 sportsmen flying. They were Faust Parker from Texas and John Bailey from the U.K. . John had an overrun in the 2^nd round, which did not let him get a score before the round closed. This gave the win to Faust Parker. He is taking the “Bear” again to Houston , which will make Julie happy.

A big thank you to all participants and helpers who made this contest a memorable event.

Peter Brocks  

Click here for FAI results

FAI Pictures

RC Old Timers

Well, that's our contest. We [SW Regionals Modelers Association] may have as much fun putting the contest together as the contestants do flying in it!

We would like to see YOU here at Eloy next year - watch for announcements for the MLK long weekend in January, 2009.

Sponsors:
Southwest Regional Modelers Association
AL Lidberg, Peter Brocks, Elmer Nelson, John Nystedt, , Steve Riley, Bob Angus, with a lot of assistance from Greg Tutmark, John Patton, and Herman Andresen.

Back to SW Regionals Introduction

Webmaster, editor, caption writer: Al at   aalmps@aol.com