[NSRCA-discussion] Why did I go to the NATS and other random thoughts

[Tim Jesky]

Don,
  Great read! Thanks for posting it FYI.. the tech bag is Linda's and the
sand bags are mine.Thanks for picking them up.
Tim

On Sat, Jul 21, 2018 at 2:49 PM, Don Szczur via NSRCA-discussion <
nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

>
> Would like to congratulate all the winners at the NATS and thank the
> contest management- Al Glenn, Peter Vogel, Tim Jesky, both Jeff's, Monty
> and so many others that made the NATS a success.
>
> Steve Maxwell came by - so nice to see Steve after all these years.  I
> thanked him for giving Joseph that DLG some 10 years ago.  Joseph got so
> much flying out of that plane!  After talking to Steve, I was inspired to
> write down some thoughts about attending the NATS.
>
> Challenge.
> Challenge motivates focused activity in order to meet set goals.  By
> participating in the NATS this year, I have been reminded how focused
> preparation for the NATS increases flying skills.  This spills over to
> others we come in contact with as well.  Coaching sessions at the local
> flying fields.  It spreads.  It was fun seeing some of the local modelers
> bring out their old pattern planes (talking Kaos and Summit vintage) after
> watching, talking, coaching and helping me with my preparations for the
> NATS.  The result is local clubs having "club class" events this fall.
> Talk of attending future NATS is often the topic of conversation at these
> sessions.  Someone once told me that flying at the NATS (and the
> preparation leading up to) advanced their flying skills significantly.
>
> Memories and nostalgia.
> This one hit me hard this year as I was packing up the plane upon
> completion of practice just before sunset on Tuesday evening.  The air was
> perfectly calm and the sun was setting.  It was beautiful weather.  It's
> more than just a tradition of going to the NATS.   The memories-
> particularly of site 1 and all those FAI finals over the years... all the
> U.S. teams that were selected at this site....standing next to Michael
> Rommel at Site 1 as he watched one of the flights at the 2011 World
> Championships-- as he was admiring one of the flights that day with the new
> Contra system... . Site 4 and the memories there of so many pilots that
> started in Intermediate and Advanced and are now top level FAI and Masters
> pilots...the potato guns, the Cajun meals, the ice cream, pictionary games
> using an i-phone, the unknowns selections at the FARM house... the museum
> and all the history there.  Took a step into the Lee Renaud library.
> Randomly pulled a red hard-bound book off the second shelf from the top,
> flipping open to mid-1960s section. Noticed the cover picture of Ralph
> Brooks and his wife.  Read the article, round by round articulate account-
> and how Ralph Brooks nailed the tail slide and came out on top of that F3A
> worlds.
>
> New friendships and rekindling old ones.
> I got to meet several pilots for the first time.  As I drove up to site 4
> last Sunday I met Forrest.  He is pretty excited about pattern and showed
> his flying skills by winning Advanced.  He was gracious enough to call for
> me during the prelims.  There was another pilot, an intermediate pilot,  I
> had not seen him in years. We had met briefly at the Sayre contest in 2001
> when I brought the big CAP out of the back of the Ford Taurus and proceeded
> to do a demo flight.  He remembered all those details that from that
> contest that took place 17 years ago. Rekindling  friendships and talking
> about some of those past contests was fun.   It was REALLY cool getting to
> see Ivan Kristensen.  I remember the first NATS I attended in 1983 when
> Ivan and Dave Brown were battling it out for the win.  It was great that
> Ivan is back into Pattern again and seeing him compete at the NATS. So many
> others.
>
> The adrenaline.
> Competing at the NATS just steps up the game.  It came back again- how to
> suppress the butterflies- the nerves- and transform that into quiet
> confidence.  All the pilots have to go through that same feeling.  The NATS
> brought back those feelings and the competitiveness to fly at an absolute
> best.  It's just plain exciting to be flying in the same field with many of
> the best pilots in the country and in fact, the world.
>
> The banquet and socials.
> The banquet was awesome.  The tribute to Ron Van Putte was so nice.  His
> family was there to hear some of the stories.  I never knew he was a
> Doctor-- a PhD.   Pretty cool.   I remember how he always used to tell the
> story about that Augusta, GA contest in 1990 when he came so close to
> "beating Don Szczur".  It came down to the last round- it was a great
> competition but I was somehow able to beat Ron in the last round.  He loved
> to tell that story.  I also recall the Model Aviation articles from the
> 1970's and 1980's that shaped me as a pattern pilot. Yes, I did follow his
> advice and get a Kaos as my first pattern plane.  Thanks John Fuqua for the
> presentation.  The auction was well administered by Mark- short and
> productive.  I came so close to bidding on that Brio, but how many more
> planes could I fit in the station wagon? (no Dave, it's a newer Taurus than
> the one I had 18 years ago at Sayre).  The BBQ at the Wed evening social.
> I did NOT REALIZE that BBQ was flown in by Al Glenn (Memphis BBQ?) - it
> was awesome!
>
> Other random thoughts:
>
> Chip, we missed you at the NATS.  Your presence was absolutely missed.  I
> heard many say it was not the same without you there.
>
> Technology.  I finally got on the computer today to check the websites,
> emails and facebook posts after being away for a week.  It may be time to
> replace my 10 year old tracfone.  One must be connected to keep up with the
> happenings.  The successful part about staying away from technology is that
> I was able to stay focused on flying at the NATS, but the trend is that the
> NATS will continually evolve into a technology driven operation. This is
> a new technology driven experience.  With wifi perhaps I can use the
> Spektrum ix-12 transmitter to get app and email updates in the future.
>
> Kal and Tom.  Welcome to the pattern community and congratulations on the
> junior team slot. Looks like Kal is flying very well in FAI.  Good luck at
> the IMAC worlds. For those who got to witness Kal demonstrate the unknowns
> on Thursday, of the many words I heard, the one word I heard most was
> "wow".  I was talking earlier in the week to Mike Wickizer.  I noted how
> Brett moved from Advanced straight to FAI and how, in his first NATS, made
> the finals.  But that was not it.  I told him how after watching him do
> those first rolling circles in the first unknown, that Brett would be a
> world class competitor.  That was back in the mid- 2000's.  I say the same
> comment about Kal now.
>
> Congratulations to Andrew, Jason and Brett as the U.S. F3A team in Italy.
>
> Drones- I noticed a drone course just behind site 3.  I sense some evening
> drone racing  taking place at a future NATS venue for the under 20 crowd.
>
> The bear sighting on site 4.
>
> Glow or Electric?  Wow, there was a glow CK Allure bipe I got to fly after
> the NATS.  It flew incredibly well.  The new owner of this aircraft from
> California is very lucky.
>
> Lost and Found.  I was the last one off Site I after the FAI finals.  I
> found a silver phone type of charger.  If someone is missing that item, let
> me know and I'll mail it to you.  I also have the tech-inspection bag with
> the black and red checkers, and a couple sand bags.
>
> To my wife and daughter.  Thank you for the support and encouragement.  To
> Joseph- thank you for the support and encouragement.
>
> Many asked me how Joseph is doing.  Yes, Joseph is doing well.  He is very
> busy this summer taking a 5 credit evening class and working an
> internship.  It was so special to find out this week that he was selected
> to receive a $3000 AMA scholarship.  The timing could not be better.  A
> deep thank you to the AMA and those who donate to make the AMA scholarship
> program what it is.  Congratulations to all the other scholarship winners.
> Joseph will be attending Mississippi State this fall.  He did not fly at
> the NATS but will be returning to the (2019) world championships.
>
> It was announced that Muncie will be the location of the 2021 F3A World
> Championships (July 2021 I believe was announced).   I remember all the
> past world team members that came in 2011.  Maybe they will come back again
> to renew old friendships and make new ones.  All the pilots we spoke to in
> Switzerland and Argentina love the Muncie flying site venue.
>
> I think I heard Tim Pritchett say "D7 watch out for D2" in reference to
> the NATS perpetual district trophy award.
>
> See you on the contest circuit!
>
> Don
>
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