Leinster Aerobatic Championships May 23-24, 2009
By Brian Carolan
Photos from this event can be viewed in the gallery -- click here.
Due to the decreasing number of Clubs interested in running comps we at the Model County Flying Club were asked to run this comp in addition to our usual one.
After considerable debate about losing the field for club activity and the extra work load, we decided to go ahead and run this comp. We also owe the Cork Model Flying Club a 'thank you' for facilitating us re the dates.
The forecast was for a windy/showery Sat morn and then an improvement. This is what we got. We had time, allowing for one long weather break, to run a complete comp with all rounds being flown.
For the first time in Ireland there was an 'F' round flown. This is the schedule flown by the top 30% at the World Champs in the Semi Finals and the Final. This is a more difficult schedule with manoeuvres like a loop with reversed integrated rolls, knife edge loop and 1&1/2 snap rolls from knife edge to opposite knife edge.
There was a good turnout for F3A Tier1 and Tier2. Both of these classes were very closely fought affairs with a good standard of flying in both. It was great to see Paddy Gavin return to Masters which he won in style.
We had no Sports Class entry, perhaps because it was so early in the year. We would like to see and would welcome some renewed interest in this. So if you think you can fly a model aeroplane why not come along and have a go.
There was a social get together on Sat, evening which was well attended and enjoyed by all. Food and refreshments were available all day Sat, and Sun, mostly off the BBQ. The food available included homemade buns, strawberries and cream as treats for the guests and helpers.
| Pilot | Class | Total Score | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Position |
| Angus Balfour | Tier 1 | 3000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1st |
| Shane Robinson | Tier 1 | 2940.71 | 923.40 | 982.01 | 982.04 | 976.67 | 2nd |
| Ray Keane | Tier 1 | 2886.00 | 962.22 | 969.31 | 955.09 | 930.02 | 3rd |
| Niall O'Sullivan | Tier 1 | 2851.70 | 923.40 | 948.15 | 943.11 | 960.45 | 4th | John Martin | Tier 1 | 2845.97 | 948.58 | 971.43 | 923.15 | 925.96 | 5th |
| Brian Carolan | Tier 1 | 2660.00 | 868.84 | 908.99 | 851.30 | 882.35 | 6th |
| Paul Houlihan | Tier 1 | 2654.54 | 873.03 | 892.06 | 859.28 | 889.45 | 7th |
| Gordon James | Tier 1 | 2648.61 | 891.92 | 880.42 | 868.26 | 876.27 | 8th | Noel Barrett | Tier 1 | 2369.43 | 795.38 | 829.63 | 714.57 | 744.42 | 9th |
| Leslie Cowpar | Tier 2 | 3000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1000.00 | 1st |
| Dave King | Tier 2 | 2528.75 | 836.48 | 836.07 | 856.21 | 810.98 | 2nd | Jim Howard | Tier 2 | 2271.00 | 698.11 | 756.62 | 715.03 | 800.00 | 3rd |
| Kevin Murphy | Tier 2 | 2216.00 | 777.36 | 730.14 | 708.50 | 660.98 | 4th |
| Paddy Gavin | Masters | 412 | 425 | 410 | 375 | 402 | 1st |