Contests, Contests, and More Contests This Flying Season!

Control Line Aerobatics

By Joe Daly | [email protected]

As seen in the July 2023 issue of Model Aviation.

Bob McDonald, pictured with his Aquila, is a perennial VSC competitor. He often brings self-designed models and places at the top of events he enters. His models exhibit beautiful workmanship.

I WANT TO THANK Contest Director (CD) Jim Hoffman for his excellent coverage of the Vintage Stunt Championships (VSC) and the great photos. For anyone who has not attended this event, it should definitely be on your Control Line (CL) Aerobatics (Stunt) bucket list!

Speaking of bucket-list contests, the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) Regional Championships will start this year and take place in the Northeast and Southeast. PAMPA will be supporting existing contests; the Northeast contest will partner with the Gene Schaffer Memorial Cup, and the Southeast will partner with the King Orange International (KOI). Both events will take place in the fall.

The 34th annual VSC took place in Tucson, Arizona, March 15-19, 2023, bringing together model aviation enthusiasts from across the US. VSC is a CL Stunt-only contest that pays homage to the people and designs of a past era of CL modeling.

Despite a light drizzle on the first day, the weather for the contest was mostly excellent, with pleasant wind and air temperatures throughout the week. The event could not have happened without the support of a large group of volunteers, including the Shorts family. Lanny Shorts pull-tested, David Shorts is writing the PAMPA article, Joyce Shorts tabulated, and granddaughter, Sarah Shorts, served as a runner. Jim, as CD, was ably assisted by Lou Wolgast, John Callentine, Mark Smith, Rick Green, Bart Klapinski, Ivan Murphy, Keith Trostle, John Wright, Warren Tiahrt, Sharon Hoffman, Gary Gingerich, and a long list of judges, tabulators, pit bosses, runners, and pull testers.

The competition featured four days of flying, with participants arriving as early as the weekend before to fly and socialize with fellow enthusiasts. VSC attracts people of all skill levels, from first-time fliers to some of the finest craftsmen and pilots in the country. This year’s longest-distance traveler was Bob Whitney, who came from Coconut Creek, Florida.

The contest includes five separate events: Old Time Stunt (OTS), Ignition OTS, Ringmaster-only OTS, PAMPA Classic, and Super 70s. The most popular events were OTS and Classic, which were formatted to run on two circles, giving all contestants an opportunity to have four official flights in each event. Unlike other competitions, VSC does not incorporate PAMPA skill classes, allowing participants of all skill levels to fly together.

Noteworthy among the airplanes entered were a pair of Jerry Phelps-designed Classic Patriots flown by Bob McDonald and Steven MacBride, a pair of Dennis Schauer-designed Gladiators flown by Bob Harness and Dennis Nunes, and a pair of beautifully crafted Noblers flown by Chris McMillin and Roger Kramar. John Callentine and John Hill, both master craftsmen, entered a pair of Rabe Mustangs. Bob McDonald also flew and won Super 70s with his own design: the Aquila.

David Shorts always brings something unique. This year, he brought a huge Icarus Ignition model.

The event ended with an awards ceremony and sit-down banquet on the final Saturday evening. One of the highlights of the evening was Lanny awarding hats to members of the group who are still involved at any level at or beyond the age of 80. This year, three hats were awarded to Gordan Delaney, Bart, and Bob Whitney.

John Hill, from Texas, brought two spectacular models. Here, his 57-ounce Rabe Mustang is next to John Callentine’s Rabe Mustang. Both are in the front row in appearance judging at any contest.

Two Gladiators were on hand, thanks to Bob Harness (46-size) and Dennis Nunes (35-size). Both were beautifully crafted and performed well.

Lanny Shorts flew an electric-powered Formula S in Classic. Here, the appearance judges, Jim Allen and Roy Andrassy, give it a good look. Both judges are legendary in the RC Pylon Racing world.

In conclusion, the 34th annual VSC was a huge success, bringing together model aviation enthusiasts from across the US to celebrate the history and beauty of CL modeling. With excellent weather, a supportive community of volunteers, and participants of all skill levels, VSC is an event not to be missed for any model aviation enthusiast.

Two PAMPA Regional Championships Are Set!

The PAMPA Northeast Regional Championships and the PAMPA Southeast Regional Championships are both highly anticipated events in the world of CL Precision Aerobatics. These events offer pilots from their respective regions a chance to compete against some of the best in the area, while also providing a fun and welcoming environment for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

The PAMPA Northeast Regional Championships are scheduled to take place on September 16-17, 2023, in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The event will feature a variety of contests, including OTS, Classic Stunt, Profile Stunt, and PAMPA skill classes. Pilots from across the country will converge on  Bridgewater for this exciting event, eager to show off their skills and compete for top honors.

Meanwhile, the PAMPA Southeast Regional Championships are scheduled to take place at the KOI event on October 13-16 in McAlpine, Florida. This event is one of the most popular events for CL Aerobatics enthusiasts in the Southeast, attracting pilots from throughout the country and around the world.

KOI is known for its exciting competitions, which now includes the PAMPA Southeast Regional Championships, as well as its festive atmosphere and opportunities for pilots and enthusiasts to connect and share tips and techniques. The events featured are Warbirds, OTS, Nostalgia 30, Profile, and PAMPA skill classes.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer to CL Precision Aerobatics, both the PAMPA Northeast and Southeast Regional Championships offer you a chance to become involved and take your skills to the next level. These events are not only about competition, but they are also about camaraderie  and the joy of flying. They provide a platform for pilots to connect with one another, share their knowledge and experience, and push the boundaries of what is possible in this exciting and challenging sport.

Mark your calendars and get ready to take flight!

SOURCES: PAMPA www.pampacl.org