District IV
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
North Carolina, Virginia
Spring has sprung. Nic Burhans, a District IV associate vice president and participant, brought us this report about the Fauquier Aero Recreation Modelers (FARM) Spring Pattern Seminar:
In preparation for the 2024 Coastal Plains Pattern Classic, the FARM Club in Bealeton, Virginia, hosted an extended weekend Pattern flying gathering on March 15-17. This event was open to any new, regular, or older person who was thinking of getting back into RC Aerobatics (Pattern) flying, or any AMA members who were possibly interested in Pattern flying and their helpers. Seventeen District IV and District III pilots from Virginia and the Carolinas participated throughout the weekend.
The National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA) District 2 Pattern flying and judging seminar, and practice judging event was shepherded by FARM Club’s Don Szczur and Gerald Hood and started with Friday’s ground checks, setups, trimming, and tweaking.
Don Szczur’s Saturday morning review seminar on Pattern judging changes for 2024 during the FARM gathering.
The weekend’s weather conditions were a major factor for the event. Don’s Saturday morning review/seminar on the Pattern judging changes for 2024, the new Pattern sequences, and general judging practices were forced to move to the leeward side of the club’s shelter. A variety of in-depth Pattern system questions were researched and addressed. Plenty of hot coffee was available to keep the participants active in the cold wind. After Saturday’s provided lunch, a flightline judging clinic was conducted, where each pilot was judged by left, right, and center judges who scored and took notes on defects. The group discussed/reviewed the scoring at the end of each flight.
As a resulting aspect to the seminar, Don provided specific tricks/techniques to high-wind Pattern flying and aspects of high-wind judging.
Don and Gerald provided an engaging, in-depth, and helpful Pattern flying weekend for all of the Pattern fliers and their ground helpers.
2024 Coastal Plains Pattern Classic
The Kinston Aero-Modelers of Kinston, North Carolina, hosted the 2024 Coastal Plains Pattern Classic (CPPC) at the club’s newly upgraded FRIA facilities and expanded shelter area.
Twelve contestants flew a wide variety of Pattern aircraft. The 1/4-scale blue Cub flew very well in the contest and took second place in the Sportsman class under the control of Robert McGoughy. Don Szczur did some nostalgic flight demonstrations with a yellow Kaos.
The day was a learning evolution, with the new 2024 Pattern sequences in place for all, some participants moving up in classes, and three first-time Sportsman class participants. Morning flying was precluded because of heavy fog, but the downtime was used for aircraft repairs/upgrades by Tim Pritchett and Rick Harn, and to review the new requirements for AMA sanctioned event altitude NOTAMs and Remote ID waivers, as well as all of the new AMA and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Pattern judging requirements for 2024.
After a good day of flying and learning, early evening rain moved in to close down the contest, and awards were presented.
Go fly and have fun safely.
