Seven pilots compete at Fun Fly compo
Jan Venter had bad luck on his first round and was unable to fly further.
SEVEN pilots pitched to fly the recent fun fly, but it was a pity that Bert Strydom, Lionel Charters and Marius J van Rensburg couldn’t make it. Jan Venter, Allan Joubert and Kevin McGovern took part for the first time. Manoeuvres were different to last time and judges Lewis Colman and Kitty Steenmans ensured that pilots completed each task. Jan Venter had bad luck as he landed in the field on his first round and because he damaged the nose-cone, was unable to fly further.
First round pilot to stop the plane in shortest distance measured diagonally from the line to stopping distance – Dennis Steenmans had the shortest distance with 9.4m, Neil Benecke in second (11.2m) and Kevin McGovern in 3rd (12m). Jacques Joubert had 12.8m, Mike du Mollard 13.1m, Alan Joubert 33.4m and Jan Venter unfortunately crashed his plane.
Second round, longest glide. Aircraft to take off and climb for one minute, slow idle and glide for as long as possible (timed from wheels off to wheels touching) – Alan glided the longest with 3.22min, in second, Mike (2.57min), third, Jacques (2.51min) , fourth, Neil (2.41min), fifth, Kevin (2.26min) and Dennis scored 0 after misjudging the landing.
Round three, climb and perform. Aircraft to take off and climb for one minute, cut motor to idle and perform one loop, 1 stall turn, four horizontal rolls and land. (timed from wheels off till touchdown) – Kevin took honours (1.29min), second, Dennis (1.37min), third, Alan (1.43min), fourth, Mike (1.51min), fifth, Jacques (2.12min) and Neil (0).
Round four, limbo. Aircraft to take off and perform passes below the line from both sides – Dennis (11 passes), Kevin (8), Jacques (6). Neil (3), and Mike and Allan (2 passes each).
Round five, loops and touch and go in two minutes. Aircraft performs one complete loop, one complete 360 degree horizontal turn, then 1 touch and go into wind to finish one sequence (timed from wheels off for two minutes and greatest number completed sequences wins). Dennis was first with 6 sequences, Kevin, second (5), Jacques, Allan and Mike all completed four sequences and Neil three.
Round six, aircraft to climb at full power for 25 seconds, perform at least five downward spins, and land on the runway as close to 65 seconds as possible. Winner will be pilot landing nearest to 65 seconds – Dennis was spot on with 65.10s, Alan closely behind with 67.60s and Kevin in third with 68.57s. Jacques came fourth with 75.35s, Mike in fifth with 75.38s and Neil with 76.01s in sixth.
