Scale Nationals 2009
By Eamonn Keenan
The rain forecasted for day one of the Nationals duly obliged (just after the pilot briefing) and delayed proceedings for about an hour. A steady breeze ensured that the Laois clubs main runway was in use most of day one, and an adjacent one on day two.
Two of the Laois stalwarts were unable to compete this year namely the MACI Scale Secretary, Paul Fetherstonhaugh and Steve Elster. Paul was suffering from a severe throat infection prior to the Nationals and wisely didn't compete. Steve selflessly forfeited his chance to fly and occupied the judges chair instead as we were one short.
Clubman Class
Clubman scale boasted 11 entries and it was gratifying to see faces not seen for a few years returning to the fray. It was soon noticeable that the enhanced placement and execution of manoeuvres observed in the past couple of years was maintained and even improved this year. Perusal of the results will show how competitive and closely grouped the scores were and how our scoring methodology has bedded in.
Seamus Lynch flying a Zlin 50 L set the benchmark with some assured flying. This first flight represented the best of his 3 rounds with the half rolls from inverted flight and a few placement errors contributing to downgrading in rounds 2 and 3. A very good performance considering that he had not been flying competitively for a few years. Andy Ryan's 1/3 scale petrol powered Super Cub has been a regular over the past couple of years and his scores over the 3 rounds were very consistent. As with other competitors who elected to execute an “overshoot", a constant error leading to a downgrade was evident i.e. approaching the touch down point too fast. As with all of us who are competing a thorough reading of the rules and unearthing as much information on the characteristics of the prototype been flown, will pay dividends. A similar case in point is contained in the notes on 'Take Off , where it states — If the prototype used flaps for take off, then the model aircraft should also, but this may be subject to the competitors judgement taking into account the wind strength. Any flapless take off due to wind must be nominated to the judges before take off — most did not.
Another example evident where marks were lost was not landing the model as per the prototype i.e. on main wheels, or a three point landing or as applicable where it has a tricycle landing gear, as highlighted under "errors"— does not adopt landing attitude appropriate to subject type. All competitors had models with these three types of landing gear, but not all competitors demonstrated the correct landing attitude.
A silver finish on Melvyn Inwoods Texan almost contributed to its disappearing into the grey skies over the Laois countryside during the first round. Judicious use of the sticks determined whether it was coming or going away in the distance, resulting in a safe return. Martin Sweeney, Kieran McEvoy of the host club and Mark Quigley of the N.D.M.F.C. were all flying the ubiquitous Pc9 with great effect, all three finishing in the top 4 positions. Martin and Kieran scoring 1800 points in each of their two best rounds, demonstrating their thorough knowledge of the manoeuvres presented, combined with very consistent flying and placement. Steve Quigley on his first competitive outing with his very attractive Stearman in white and red livery, petrol powered, placed 2nd overall with the result that 2 trophies now grace the Quigley's Hall of Fame, Mark earning a well deserved 4th place.
A Bulldog in RAF colours was John Longs choice of prototype. A somewhat unsure 1st round was followed by a much more confident 2nd round. John was unable to attend on Sunday and lost the chance of a third round. Similarly, Liam Jackson from the Roundwood Club flying a Super Cub with its large doughnut wheels flew two good rounds, but was also unable to return on Sunday. Another Pc9 in the capable hands of Brian Foran put on a spirited display. A third round only marred by a few errors would have seen him threaten the top 4 positions. Another member of the Laois Brigade, Fergus 0 Reilly with his Aviomodelli Cessna, powered with a 120 four stroke had an engine cut necessitating a hasty return to terra firma in the 2nd round. Resulting damage to the nose wheel caused his withdrawal from the 3rd round on Sunday.
F4C Scale
F4C produced 4 competitors . Dave 0' Flaherty with his Dart Kitten , up from the Rising Sun Club in Cork, completed his 3 rounds at a slow and steady pace so typical of the prototype. Liam Jackson of the Roundwood club demonstrated his large Super Chipmunk, petrol powered, to good effect in the first round but an inadvertent half turn spin at the top of a stall turn and a nose over on landing depressed his marks in the 2nd round. Again, being unable to attend on Sunday has no opportunity to rectify matters in the third round. Fellow club member Tony Greene had dusted off his highly impressive and atmospheric Stuka of WW2 notoriety for the event. Flying with all his usual assurance he was chalking up consistent points in his first round when a heavy landing caused his premature exit from the event. I was flying my Super Decathlon Laser 150 four stroke powered again this year and after 3 rounds ran out the winner of the class.
Novice Class
Only one competitor registered for the class. Walter Renno of the Laois Club flying a very nicely built Fiesler Storch , put in some very credible flying despite a stiffening breeze which at times upset the stability of this lightly loaded model. All in all a very good performance, as Walter was quiet ill with pneumonia a few weeks previously. Well done that man!
Prize giving was the usual opportunity for photo shots, scurrilous and unsubstantiated remarks, cat calling and congratulations!. Apart from the official medallions, the club as usual generously supplied Newbridge Silverware up to 4th place for competitors and also to Denis Lowry for his score keeping duties over the weekend. Steve Elster presented the gongs and Silverware on behalf of the club and thanked all who had made the weekend so successful.
| Pilot | Class | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Static | Final Score | Place |
| Eamonn Keenan | F4C | 1592.0 | 1577.0 | 1582.0 | 1277.0 | 4454.0 | 1st |
| Dave O'Flaherty | F4C | 1059.5 | 1250.0 | 977.0 | 1228.0 | 3537.5 | 2nd |
| Liam Jackson | F4C | 1530.5 | 1282.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4454.0 | 3rd |
| Tony Greene | F4C | 1376.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1376.0 | 4th |
| Martin Sweeney | Clubman | 1878.0 | 1788.5 | 1830.5 | 0.0 | 3708.5 | 1st |
| Steve Quigley | Clubman | 1805.0 | 1779.0 | 1832.0 | 0.0 | 3637.0 | 2nd |
| Kieran McEvoy | Clubman | 1808.0 | 1380.0 | 1809.5 | 0.0 | 3617.5 | 3rd |
| Mark Quigley | Clubman | 1704.5 | 1798.0 | 1790.0 | 0.0 | 3588.0 | 4th |
| Brian Foran | Clubman | 1791.0 | 1751.5 | 1637.0 | 0.0 | 3542.5 | 5th |
| Melvyn Inwood | Clubman | 1602.5 | 1623.0 | 1763.0 | 0.0 | 3386.0 | 6th |
| Andy Ryan | Clubman | 1653.5 | 1676.0 | 1653.5 | 0.0 | 3329.5 | 7th |
| Seamus Lynch | Clubman | 1667.0 | 1563.0 | 1181.0 | 0.0 | 3230.0 | 8th |
| Liam Jackson | Clubman | 1542.0 | 1593.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3135.0 | 9th |
| John Long | Clubman | 1466.0 | 1665.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3131.5 | 10th |
| Fergus O'Reilly | Clubman | 1578.6 | 1387.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2966.4 | 11th |
| Walter Reno | Novice | 1400.5 | 1436.5 | 1256.0 | 0.0 | 2837.0 | 1st |