Report on Knettishall National League Competition – 7th September 2019

Thanks to the Bury MFC for allowing use of their Knettishall flying site.

CD: Peter Jenkins

Judges: Ross Donovan and pilot Judges Adrian Harrison and Chris Halgreen

Thanks to Jim Smetherham and Ron Gray for the BBQ, Neville Byford for running the scoring spreadsheet and Mike Rieder for organising the spotting rota.

Photos: Courtesy of Mark Allen and Peter Jenkins

Results:

FAI(P): 1st Chris Halgreen, 2nd Adrian Harrison, 3rd Peter Jenkins

Masters: 1st Al Williams

Intermediate: 1st Mick Broad

Clubman: 1st Mike Rieder, 2nd Graham Gooch, 3rd Richard Clouting

After nervously watching the weather forecast yoyo around between dire and wonderful, we were faced with a coolish day and a 15 mph, gusting 22 mph, wind blowing into our faces. This gradually moved round to be a 90 deg cross wind. The Clubman entrants all did exceptionally well, not only to fly in these conditions, but also to avoid any damage to their aircraft with only one propeller broken!

The FAI flights had to be run at the beginning and end of each round to enable Chris Halgreen and Adrian Harrison to get in their flights and to judge. This was greatly appreciated not least by the CD!

It would be true to say that most of those watching the first flight of the day realised that the wind was going to be a major factor – and it was! Still, those who had never flown in such conditions came away happy that they had proved they could take off, fly the schedule and land. As one Clubman pilot said, he’d never dream of flying in these conditions but now he’d done it he was much more confident of doing so again. It was gratifying for all of the Clubman pilots to see that the only damage incurred was one broken prop. Well done the Clubman boys.

Mick Broad continued to plough a lone furrow in Intermediate but it looks like his days of splendid isolation may be coming to an end with two Clubman pilots indicating they were stepping up to Intermediate next season and possibly later on in this one.
BR> Al Williams found himself on his own in Masters as Greg Butterworth had to withdraw with airframe problems just before the event. This was Al’s first competition since visiting the World Champs at Brescia while he was on holiday in Europe. He’s clearly picked up some tips as his 2nd flight cracked the 300 point. As he pointed out though, there had been hardly any wind at Brescia for most of the competition unlike the situation at Knettishall!

In FAI(P), the two pilot judges, Chris Halgreen and Adrian Harrison, were handicapped as they usually call for each other but did without callers on this occasion. Despite that, they filled the two top places even though they looked pretty cold as they exited their judging seats with Chris taking top spot! Thanks guys.

By one of those coincidences, Mark Allen and Peter Jenkins both scored identical numbers – Mark in Round 2 and Peter in Round 3. That meant that Mark had cracked the 300 ceiling he’d been butting up against – well done to him.

The Bury Club provided the support to set up the gazebo, a welcome shelter during the short sharp rain squalls, the BBQ and hot and cold drinks all day. This time, we were not troubled by any full size aviators dropping in so our spotters were untroubled.

Fingers crossed that we gather at Knettishall again next year when we very much hope that we will see the return of George Drever.

Peter Jenkins.