A champion will recognize a champions deed Well said, we where all in ahhh
about Peter's performance!!!
Peter B
-Original message-
From: Skip Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:48:31 -0400
To: soaring@airage.com
Subject: [RCSE] US Nationals Championship Flight
- Original Message -
From: Skip Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Soaring@airage.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:40 AM
Subject: Championship flight at the Nationals
I know there are many flights that allow pilots to achieve top ten finish
at the US Nationals, but one flight in particular should not go unnoticed.
Personally I was bouncing around in the upper group after, hitting a very
poor landing earlier in the day, knowing my fate was sealed. I was calling
air for Cody in the previous flight group, my back to the winch launch
line, when I heard a very high speed flutter by some competitor on launch
in the next group. I turned, expecting to see a model that I had seen
flutter numerous times, and much to my surprise...it was a Pike
Perfect...and Peter Goldsmith was piloting. I said to Cody I think he just
fluttered an elevator...yep...I see flaps going in and out. And this was a
National Championship flight, last round, and Peter was sniffing around a
top spot. It's the last round thing which all competitors know all to
well.
The air was no gimme, with 30% of the flight times not being achieved.
After Cody landed I said, I've got to watch this. This appears to be a
REAL championship flight! Pilots in Peters group were not happy, many
falling out, yet here he was and his PERFECT ...appearing to be guiding
this object...barely in control...flaps going in, flaps going out...oddly
circling..appering to have half flap in all the time...you know...no
elevator, hunting, falling, rising...maybe 5%-10% control! No one on the
ground knew what was really wrong he had actually blown out on the
over zealous launch and was hitting a well timed thermal, the elevator
servo, and BOTH aileron servos... yet I heard the beep, beep, beep of
Peters digital trims being pushed to the max, trying to urge the PERFECT
to do its job. So here was the PERFECT, coming up to 9 minutes...all other
competitors in his group had fallen from the sky, and Goldsmith was
inventing a new class...F.R.FLAP RUDDER! And getting his time!
Then it appeared there was trouble as the model kind of started galloping
around the sky below 100 feet, trying to set up for landing, the
controlling became more difficult...that ground thing appearing in its
future, spot landing, all coming into play. Flap rudder has its
limitations!
No he didn't get his landing, BUT he DID land within the field boundaries,
overflying the slot by 25 seconds (10:25) and qualifying the flight.
Amazingly, we later found out, had WON the group! Most others would have
tried to land the injured bird, and probably crashed it, but Peter hung
tough, literally a National Championship position on the line, his years
of aerobatic training coming into to play. As our modern day computer
mixing radios were not up to the task, it was in his thumbs, his mind, and
his judgment that was getting the job done. Yes, I know Daryl had a wild
one with a blown out stab flapping in the breeze at the Worlds, but at
least there was some assemblance of order...all servos were working!
This flight secured his 3rd place overall National finish, and will be a
flight remembered by all who witnessed it for a long time. When we looked
over the PERFECT on the ground, the culprit was a nylon geared elevator
servo that had stripped from launch pressure...the elevator kinda flopping
around, and then noticing that even the control horns on the aileron
servos were broken and floppingYes this was a National Championship
flight. Peter was giddy after the flight, also stunned and amazed at
what had just occurred. We stood there dumbfounded, looking at his wounded
PERFECT, basically agreeing this can't fly. He won 3rd
overall...AMAZING!!! I just had a moment to reflect on this Championship
flight! Well done Peter!
Skip
- Original Message -
From: Skip Miller [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Soaring@airage.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 9:40 AM
Subject: Championship flight at the Nationals
I know there are many flights that allow pilots to achieve top ten finish
at the US Nationals, but one flight in particular should not go unnoticed.
Personally I was bouncing around in the upper group after, hitting a very
poor landing earlier in the day, knowing my fate was sealed. I was calling
air for Cody in the previous flight group, my back to the winch launch
line, when I heard a very high speed flutter by some competitor on launch
in the next group. I turned, expecting to see a model that I had seen
flutter numerous times, and much to my surprise...it was a Pike
Perfect...and
