In Memoriam Kirby Parker

Transcription

1 June 2012 In Memoriam Kirby Parker On April 26 th the NWSS lost its master scorekeeper Kirby Parker to a sudden illness. He was 78 years old. Kirby passed peacefully with his loving wife Mary Ann at his side. Kirby joined the NWSS in 1978 shortly after moving back to his home state of Washington from his previous home in the SF Bay area of California. It was during his stay in the Golden State that he developed his passion for radio controlled gliders and even worked for the classic brand Soarcraft for a short time. He brought that passion back with him to the Tri-Cities and used his considerable energy and organizational skills by managing a contest series, the Sun Fly, which has run continuously for over 34 years. Kirby was a mainstay of the Northwest Soaring Society and volunteered his time generously toward many tasks critical to the organization over his entire tenure. He used his programming skills to develop a scoring program that has been used throughout the region and helped to compile the results on a yearly basis for our annual awards. In 1991 Kirby was honored for his work with the NWSS Cliff Mink Service Award and again in 1999 with a Master s Class designation. Kirby or KP as he liked to be called retired from Energy Northwest about 8 years ago where he held various computer and system programming positions over the years. He kept busy with many other interests including competitive table tennis, reading and gardening. 1

2 KP was born in Dayton, Washington, the only son of Elmer Leo Parker and Ann Geraldine (Bateman) Parker. In addition to Mary Ann, he is survived by sons Brett and Garth Parker, stepchildren Kim Votry, Karin Waller, Curt Waller and six grandchildren. Sun Fly Memorial Please come to what has always been Kirby s Sun Fly contest on June 30 th and July 1 st as we will have a special Memorial for him out at the field. We will have some testimonials and fulfill his wish to have his ashes spread amongst the sod and thermal winds. Bring your electric RC plane as we plan to have a Mass Launch in celebration of his life and friendship. (Tom Culmsee June 2012) Sailplanes in the Old Days By Kevin Martin I was flipping through the pages of the latest issue of Model Aviation when I came across an article on the history of slope soaring. The article got me thinking of my early days in RC and my introduction to soaring. Like many of us, I got my start in flying models with rubber powered Guillows kits in the mid-1960 s. They were difficult to build and even more difficult to fly (probably because I always built the low-wing WW II fighters because they looked cooler). Since I lived in a small town in the middle-of-nowhere northern Minnesota, my selection of kits to build was limited to the local Woolworth dime store. In 1966 the family moved to Portland. It didn t take me long to discover the nearest real hobby shop within bicycle distance. At least once a week my brother and I would make the eight mile trip to Hillsboro to stock up on goodies. I discovered a whole new selection of airplanes, including towline gliders. I somewhat mastered the art of silk and silkspan covering with multiple coats of butyrate dope to seal it up (no Monokote until 1968). In 1967 I discovered RC. My first radio was a single channel with a rubber band-powered escapement for rudder-only. I scratch-built a plane and powered it with a Cox.049. The thing would only launch and crash. But I persisted I soon graduated to a better single-channel radio. It was a Controlaire transmitter and receiver kit that I assembled along with a pulse coder that enabled proportional rudder control with an Adams magnetic actuator ( galloping ghost ). The plane was a Carl Goldberg Skylane built from a kit which, after numerous modifications, actually flew quite well. Analog proportional radios were available at that time, but unaffordable by a kid with a paper route. In 1968 the family moved back to Minnesota. I was traumatized. No more hobby shops or flying buddies, and really long harsh winters again. I quit flying models and became a rabid duck hunter. Then in 1975 after finishing college I decided to take up RC again. By this time I was living in Duluth, which actually had a hobby shop and an AMA chartered club (but the winters still sucked). I bought my first digital proportional radio, a five channel Kraft (which is still in my basement somewhere). Radios were very expensive back then. It cost $300 at a time when I was making $500 per month. I started with a.30 2

3 powered trainer, a SIG Kadet, and worked up to a.40 Sweet Stick and Super Kaos (the largest engines at that time were.61 cubic inches). Since the club field was under four feet of snow for six months of the year, we needed to fly something that didn t need a runway during the winter. One of the guys in the Duluth club came up with slope flying. I don t know where he discovered it but it sounded like an interesting concept. I purchased and assembled a Graupner Dandy, a kit of a thousand parts (it is still flyable and currently resides in my workshop). It had rudder and elevator control. Duluth is built on a steep slope with 800 vertical feet. A road, appropriately named Skyline Drive, snakes along the top. It has many large turnouts and parking areas, making it perfect for slope access. And, being in northern Minnesota, the trees don t grow very tall. There was only one drawback IT WAS FRICKIN COLD! We would fly in winds of mph with the temperature at F (not C!). We looked like Nanook of the North in our snowmobile suits, bunny boots and big mittens. I don t remember how I managed to move the control sticks. Landings consisted of trying to avoid auto traffic while slamming your plane down on a frozen, icy street. We discovered that Monokote shatters at these temperatures. One could get it only one two flights before your wing covering was all busted up or your fingers and toes were numb. But we were hard-core flyers! In 1976 I had the opportunity to move back to Portland. The first thing I did was look for a power club. However, while visiting a local hobby shop I saw a notice announcing a thermal contest sponsored by PASS at Blue Lake Park. I was intrigued. I didn t know anything about thermal sailplanes, only slope. While still in Duluth, I had constructed a 100-inch ASW-15 with a Duralene fuselage. I figured that might work for however they flew thermal contests. So I showed up at the contest. I remember scoring 28 percent of perfect. But I was hooked. Within a few weeks I started construction of a SD 100 kit and got rid of all my wet flying stuff. I haven t started a glow engine since then. June 2012 Shavings from the Editors Desk By Jim Pugh Well it is that time of the year again, just a reminder, nominations for the board of directors and the Cliff Mink Service Award are open June 1, 2012, the term in office is for three years for the board of directors. Outgoing board members this year are Rex Grace, Kevin Martin and Jim Pugh. Please send your nominations to the NWSS Secretary Art Boysen, Cathybum@aol.com by August 1, Please make sure that the person that you are nominating is going to be willing to serve on the Board. Thanks this month to Tom Culmsee for his memorial for Kirby Parker, Colleen and Bruce for the Orin Crooks Contest write-up and to Kevin Martin for his newsletter article. Last but not least, here are some more items of interest. NWSS Request for Donations for Retrievers NWSS is soliciting contributions to help defray the costs for a retriever. Donations should be sent to Colleen Bumgarner, NWSS Treasurer 1020 Eid Road, #8 Moscow, ID According to Colleen so far we have received $ for the retriever fund. 3

4 2012 F3J Once again it is F3J time for the World Championship. This year it will be held in South Africa, the dates for the Championship are August For more information on this year s F3J World Championship please check out the following websites. USA: Canada: and for raffle tickets South Africa: The USA and Canada sites are offering merchandise for sale. They are also offering raffle tickets for some really great items. Please check out their websites and if you are so inclined please purchase some raffle tickets/merchandise to support the teams. Other news note, we understand from a reliable source that Art Boysen accidently went pheasant hunting at the Orrin Crooks contest in Lewiston. It is my understanding that the pheasant won. NWSS Eagle Volume 2012, Issue 3 June 2012 The Eagle is the official newsletter of the Northwest Soaring Society. More information about the NWSS can be found at our website: Newsletter Editor: Jim Pugh syjpugh@centurylink.net, Hardcopy production and mailing: Sandie Pugh parrot2luv@centurylink.net Contact Jim Pugh for address corrections, technical issues with electronic editions and information about receiving The Eagle. Send articles, classified and photos to Jim Flyers for NWSS contests should be sent to Richard Van Dijk, NWSS Contest Coordinator (richard@alderspur.com ) who will proof them and forward to the newsletter editor and webmaster. Three delivery methods are available for The Eagle: directly to you as a pdf; download pdf file from the NWSS website ( notification when it is posted); or hardcopy NWSS Calendar/Coming Events June 1, 2012 Nominations for 2012 Board of Directors and Nominations for Cliff Mink Award are open. August 1, 2012 Nominations Closed for Board of Directors. August 1, 2012 Masters Class paperwork due for consideration for August 15, 2012 Nominations for Cliff Mink Award closed. Masters Class nominations closed. September 14, 2012 Board of Directors meeting before the Tournament at the flying field. September 15, th Annual NWSS Tournament September 15, 2012 Board of Directors meeting reconvened after flying for election of Officers for March 9 or 16, 2013 Board of Directors meeting at central location. 4

5 Orin Crooks Memorial Glider Meet May 12 th and 13 th 2012 By Bruce and Colleen Bumgarner What a difference the weather makes, so much different from last year. We had 15 flyers that enjoyed beautiful sunny weather, winds 4 mph to 6 mph they even asked if Bruce could bring up more wind. Seven rounds were called Sat. 5 min 7 min 10 min 6 min 8 min 8 min 5 min. Duane Cassidy lost his plane on first round because of several factors so was out for the 2 days. On Sunday flew 5 min 7 min 8 min 10 min 8 min and 5 min temp was about 85 so warmed up. Line landings were used both days. This was the first meet in Lewiston where the Parkers were not here with all the familiar faces. A moment of silence in memory of all the pilots we have lost thru the years with a special thought for Kirby. They are all flying their planes in heaven I m sure. Special thoughts for Mary Ann. Kirby had trained Cathy Boysen well. He had always downloaded the new programs and a notebook of what to do. So Cathy did an excellent job keeping score with her lap top and she has same printer Kirby had. Tom Culmsee was there for help if needed. Res Class winners: 1. Jim Frahm Les Grammer Art Boysen Meter winners 1. Tom Culmsee Steve Adams Doug Coleman 9261 Competitor 1. John Sandell (not NWSS) 2. Rex Grace Robin Kirkpatrick 7956 Expert 1. Jim Frahm Dave Johnson Doug Coleman Thermal Wizard was won by Dave Johnson air time 91:58. Jim Frahm was close with 91:55 5

6 Board of Directors President Doug Coleman Vice President Kevin Martin Jim Pugh David Webb Richard Van Dijk NWSS Jim Frahm Rex Grace Lee Urbaniak Art Boysen Officers Art Boysen, Secretary Colleen Bumgarner, Treasurer/NWSS Archivist Jim Pugh, Newsletter Editor Les Grammer, Scorekeeper Sandie Pugh, Newsletter Production Richard Van Dijk Contest Coordinator Dave Portwood, Webmaster NWSS Membership Application New Member/Renewal Name: AMA/MACC # Address: Phone: City: State/Provence: Zip: Address: Can we publish your address on the NWSS webpage? (Anti-spamming measures are taken) Y/N Dues: Individual $20.00/year Family $25/year Junior $12.00/year Please select the type of newsletter delivery you want. Please mail me a hard copy: Y/N Please send me and telling me when a newsletter is available to download from the NWSS webpage, (Acrobat pdf format): Y/N Please the newsletter directly to me, (Acrobat pdf format): Y/N Use address above: Y/N Use an alternate address: Y/N Mail application and Check made out to the NWSS to: Colleen Bumgarner, NWSS Treasurer 1020 Eid Road, #8 Moscow, ID

7 2012 Aero Tow Schedule Los Banos Scale Aerotow and Slope, Los Banos Reservoir, CA, Bruce DeVisser CD, Apr 21-22nd Yakima Aerotow (13th Annual), Glessner's Field, Yakima, WA, Gene Cope CD May 4-6th (Fri-Sat-Sun) Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, May 26th Lewis & Clark Aerotow, Lewiston ID, Ted Wilkins CD, June 2-3 (New event this year!) Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, June 10th Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, July 15th Monroe Aerotow (10th Annual), CMAA Field, Monroe WA, Don Bailey CD, July 27-29th (Fri-Sat-Sun) Mission BC Aerotow (12th Annual), Anderson's Sod Farm, Dave Smith CD, Aug 10-12th (Fri-Sat-Sun) Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, Aug 19th August Aerotow (RC Sport Flyer magazine Open event), Yakima WA, Wil Byers CD, Aug 17-19th (Fri-Sat-Sun Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, Sept 22nd Last Chance Aerotow (3rd Annual), Wenatchee WA, Dave Jensen CD, Sept 29-30th (Sat-Sun) Portland (PASS) One-day, Hollin Airport, Brooks, OR, Jim Gibson CD, Oct 20th If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this schedule, please contact Art Boysen at ( ) 7

8 2012 NWSS Contest Schedule April CD 28/29 Mission, BC Vancouver Tune-Up Ron Turner May 5/6 12/13 Lewiston, ID Orrin Crooks Memorial Bruce Bumgarner 19/20 Woodburn, OR Barry Kurath Memorial 2M/RES David Portwood 26/27 Farragut, ID Ed Huffman Soaring Classic Robin Kirkpatrick June 2/3 Spokane, WA Paradise Fly Off's Steve Adams 9/10 Mission, BC Vancouver Thermals Ron Turner 16/17 Pasco, WA Fry Fly Les Grammer 23/24 Woodburn, OR Thermalitis Tom Culmsee 30/1 Pasco, WA Sun Fly Doug Coleman July 7/8 14/15 Spokane, WA Soar At Paradise Jim Frahm 21/22 Carnation, WA Soar Carnation Sherman Knight 28/29 August 4/5 11/12 Woodburn, OR Thermal Search Kevin Martin 18/19 Carnation, WA Dennis Otter Memorial Sherman Knight 25/26 Eugene, OR Rippin Thermals Tom Culmsee September 1/2 Spokane, WA N. Idaho Championships Lee Urbaniak 8/9 15/16 Pasco, WA NWSS Tournament Tom Culmsee 22/23 29/30 8

9 Oakalla Hawks 2012 Vancouver Thermals Contest Date: June 9 & 10 Anderson s Turf Farm, Mission, B.C Contact: Ron Turner Phone: (604) raturne@shaw.ca Format: 2 days of blissful thermal duration competition in stunning Mission, BC Times: 8:30 am Registration. 9:00 Pilots Meeting, 3:00 pm last round Tasks: Tasks announced at pilots meeting Rules: MAAC rules will be followed. MAAC sanctioned event. Entry fee: C$20.00 or US$20.00 maximum per contest Membership: MAAC or AMA membership proof required. Radios: All AMA/MAAC frequencies, narrow band and ISM band equipment only. ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE CHECKED FOR RANGE & CONTROL FUNCTION PRIOR TO FLYING. Equipment: Lunch: Location: Please bring stop watches, sunscreen, water, donuts We will barbecue on-field around Noon Follow "R.C. GLIDER" signs starting at intersection of Sylvester Road & Highway 7, 4 miles east of Mission, B.C. Motels: Best Western Mission City Lodge (604) Best Western Regency Inn, Abbotsford (604) Camping: Self contained units may be parked on harvested areas. Contact Jerry (604) for details. Nearest non-self contained camping is: Sun Valley Trout Park Silverdale Ave. Mission ATTENTION: DRIVING/DAMAGING THE TURF IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. ALL TRASH AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE REMOVED AFTER THE CONTEST 9

10 DATES: 8th Annual Fry Fly Eltopia, WA June 16/17, 2012 (One 2-day contest) LOCATION: From Pasco on Highway 395 to Spokane. Go North about 8.6 miles from the Kartchner road overpass (near King City truck stop) to Sagemoor road. From the North go about 14.3 miles south of Highway 17 intersection to Sagemoor road. Turn East on Sagemoor and go about 3 miles to bridge over canal, then follow NWSS/Soaring signs. AMA/MAAC MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED FEES: $ for 1st day, $10 for 2nd day, $ 5.00/day for 2nd airplane. CLASSES: Open Expert, Open Competitor, 2M/RES as a combined class. TIME: Registration: 8:30, Pilots meeting 9:15, Fly at 9:30 Last round about 4PM on Saturday, 3PM on Sunday. EQUIPMENT: 12 volt winches and retrievers, NWSS 50 foot landing lines and/or spot landings AWARDS: 1 st thru 3 rd in Open Expert; 1st-3rd in Open Competitor; 1st-3rd in RES/2m as a combined class. (WSU Cougar Cheese awards for one last time!) Thermal Wizard trophy for most time in the air: (Max time counted = max task time) TASKS: Rounds 1-6: One each of 3P; 5/7/8/9/10 ID in any order. Rounds 7-9: One each of 3P; 5/8 ID, any order. Rounds 10+: Pilot's choice of 3P, 7/10 ID. (We'll fly as many rounds as we can day 1, and pick it up where we left off on day 2.) Flight windows will vary between minutes; if you re flying 2 classes, you must fly Open class first. Food service IS NOT available. (Bring your own food/drink) CD: Les Grammer (509) SW Jones, Pullman, WA (les_g@frontier.com) Lodging (area code 509) King City Truck Stop Motel Highway 395 / Hillsboro road Pasco Budget Motel 1520 N Oregon, just South of 395 / I182 intersection, Pasco Super N Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, Bali Hi 1201 Geo. Wash. Way, Richland Days Inn 615 Jadwin, Richland, Quality Inn 435 Clover Island, Kennewick, Red Lion 2525 N 20th Ave Pasco (was doubletree) Red Lion 802 Geo Washington Way Richland On-Site RV ok, but not on the grass. No hook-ups for any service. 10

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13 SOAR PARADISE Hosted by INLAND EMPIRE QUIET FLYERS Spokane, Washington Hi-way 195 and Paradise Road (10 miles south of Spokane) July 14 th 15 th 2012 Classes Open (expert and competitor), 2-meter, R.E.S. and Woody Task Thermal Duration 1 each of the following 5, 7, 9, and 12 in the first 4 rounds followed by pilots choice after round 4. Times, Fees, & Awards Registration at 8:00, Pilots meeting at 8:45, and flying will begin at 9:00 First plane $15/day second plane $10/day Awards for 1 st 3 rd for Open and R.E.S. and Woody and 2-meter combined Last round at 3:00 on Sunday AMA or MAAC membership required. Practice on Friday. Camping for self-contained units at field. Accommodations Davenport Hotel $$$$$ Doubletree Hotel $$$ Motel 6 $ Travelodge Airport $$ Spokane New York Seattle I miles Paradise Road X CD: Jim Frahm CO-CD: Doug Coleman # jnsfrahm@q.com dougalert@aol.com 13

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15 2 Meter Season Points as of June 1, 2012 Last Name First Name Class Days counted Days flown Season Points % of perfect seas pts ave. all days all days Brightbill Tom E Johnson Dave E Portwood David E Culmsee Tom E Pugh Sandie E Adams Steve E Ehrlich Steve C Coleman Doug E RES Last Name First Name Class Days counted Days flown Season Points % of perfect seas pts ave. all days all days Culmsee Tom E Johnson Dave E Portwood David E Frahm Jim E Eaton Ken C Grammer Les E Pugh Jim E Martin Kevin E Van Dijk Richard E Boysen Art E OPEN Last Name First Name Class Days counted Days flown Season Points % of perfect seas pts ave. all days all days Johnson Dave E Grammer Les E Culmsee Tom E Frahm Jim E Headrick Curtis E Coleman Doug E Urbaniak Lee E Adams Steve E Webb David E Turner Ron E Stewart Don E Van Dijk Richard E Boysen Art E Carroll Scott C Grace Rex C Bumgarner Bruce E Kirkpatrick Robin C