Bruce Davidson launching under stormy skies, St. Louis

Our own Bruce Davidson just capped off a few weeks abroad in Europe, competing in the German F3K Open in Dresden – a huge, multi-national handlaunch soaring event. Bruce placed 35th out of a huge field of 94 pilots, and 2nd among all US pilots. Check out more conversation about the German F3K Open on RCGroups.

Bruce and his wife Christine then embarked on a week of sightseeing in Italy, making their way back home just in time for the MVSA’s Gateway Handlaunch Contest! Bruce battled with the ever-stronger St. Louis crew and ended up on top after two days of good flying. Read the MVSA contest report here!

Be sure to read Bruce’s German F3K Open report after the jump!

Another great contest is in the books. First off I want to thank all of the people that were working so hard to make this a must attend event. Christine and I had a big time and the bus tour to Dresden was one of the high points. That place is incredible and providing us with an interpreter was over the top. The contest started tough for me with a bit of bad luck on top of a coupe of bad decisions. By round three my chances were gone. The level of skill in this event is unmatched. My goals changed from getting in the flyoffs to supporting the team and putting the hurt on as many pilots as I could. I was taking a few more chances. As much as we bitch about bad conditions it is situations like this that make a great contest even better at sorting out the best on the field. Friday started with rain and we had a short break around noon for a pilots meeting then one flight group before the real storms came in. Team MMT had a big tent and I had about 8 pounds of snacks so we had some quality time while we waited it out. After three rounds they called it a day and we hit a local eatery for some great food and local beer. Saturday was the day of wind. I had the ballast box full all day and was quite happy with the way the Sirius handled the conditions. I only landed out once and that was mostly due to focusing on the plane and not my position down wind. When the ground came into view it was an oh crap moment! I felt like I could have pushed harder when I left the thermal an made it. I had moved up quite a bit in the standings by Saturday evening. Flying was over around 7 as we made our way to the on field dinner. It is hard to beat the Pole Cat pig roast but these guys did an outstanding job. They put a full champagne glass in everyones hand to kick things off with a toast. The buffet had all of the standard German fare and plenty of it. After dinner the live swing/brass band kept things hopping while the beer kept flowing. The band thought they were done for the night but the crowd was relentless and they could not refuse an encore. Sunday morning we finished the rest of round 9 and only had enough time to complete the 10th round before the flyoffs. I finished in 35th place with 92% of the top score. After my rough start, I was happy. For the finals I was tapped to call for Jonas Ekman. We started with 5×2 and he nailed all but the final transition with a small overflight and a stumble on the catch giving up about 4 seconds to much. Next round was all up, last down. The first flight was an easy get for the entire field. For the second flight we moved to the upwind corner of the field and got a good read before launch. It was forward and way right and as soon he hooked up the entire field joined us for another max. The third flight was dicy and nearly everyone landed in the order they would finish in the standings with just a couple of pilots getting the max. The last task was last flight counts with a 5 min max. On the first throw most went downwind and caught a fast mover with lots of energy. It didn’t take long for everyone to be way up and way out. As we discussed a strategy to get home another thermal popped at the end of the field so Jonas pushed to it for some more altitude on the way home. Big Congratulations to Christoph Mebus for not only winning the big dance but also winning the Junior class. YES HE IS A JUNIOR!

I learned a lot hanging out and flying with my new MMT (Sirius) team mates. That was some impressive flying Mattias and Jonas, congragulations. I have a new set of skills to develop.

Now to get everything packed up and ready for the flight to Rome.

Bruce Davidson

After 11 long years, Bruce Davidson finally nabbed “THE BIG ONE” in the handlaunch soaring world – the Torrey Pines Gulls’s International Handlaunch Glider Festival. Bruce beat out 60 of the best handlaunch glider pilots in the world to end up on top. It’s been a long time coming for one of the hobby’s greatest proponents and best pilots, and now he’s got his!

Bruce posted a great write-up on the contest over on the IHLGF 2009 thread @ RCGroups, or you can read it after the jump below. But first, don’t forget Bruce’s First-ever, First-Annual Handlaunch contest, dubbed “THE BRUCE” will be taking place August 28th-August 30th 2009 at his homestead right here in sunny Kentucky! Sign up now!

Bruce sez:

What an awesome weekend. Most of you guys know that I got new airplanes about a month before the contest. I skipped out on lots of work to get in plenty of flying time before the big event. I had to learn a new flying style with no rudder and a plane that likes to fly much faster than I am used to. I had about 16 hours flying time with the new toys before heading west.

I got to the field on Thursday afternoon and quickly got things together to put up a few flights. I believe this is my 11th year attending this event and every year I am amazed at the strength of the thermals in SoCal. A big part of the IHLGF is the social aspect and seeing old friends that I only get to see once or twice a year. The other part that makes this a must attend event is the efforts from the TPG crew trying to stay one step ahead of us and ensuring every aspect of the event is planned out and checked off. I don’t know how many of you guys were there but your efforts are greatly appreciated. I tried to hit every one of you with a thank you while I was there and if I missed any of you I am sorry, thanks again for your hard work to make sure we enjoyed our time on your field. A big Thank you to Craig Allen for all you do to make sure all the visiting pilots have a place to sit in the shade and a cooler full of drinks. He puts out a great spread with about 4 shade canopies and an electrical grid to tap into and charge our toys. After a few flights and lots of catching up a bunch of us headed to the local rib hot spot for some cow and beer. Thursday evening ended with a few of us trying to keep up with team Kiwi and a bottle of Jack. That leads me to a very foggy Friday morning but lots of fun with a full field of like minded individuals and great weather.

This year the flying field was moved much closer to the road with a row of trees that came into play all weekend. The wind was a bit stronger than years past and set us up for some very challenging conditions. Saturday morning started our day with the first of many gut check flights. Task H, “the ladder” is a rough way to start because you either get 1000 points or 771 points or less, ouch. This is a task that should be reconsidered as the penalty is extreme for just missing a few seconds, I survived it. Round two was task P, 1-2-3-4. I missed the cycle on the first launch and had to listen to all the other callers talking to their pilots getting a 4 while I scratched out a 1 in sink. As a left hander I tend to launch with a natural arch to the right while the rest of the field goes left and this time it hurt me. The lift was already moving fast and they left me behind. My next throw was short of 2 minutes still in the sink cycle and left me with some free time to make a good read for the next launch. I managed to pick off the 4 and then the 3 to end that round with a 848 that was to be my throw away round.
Round 3 was task M, 5×2, I don’t remember many details from this one but know that I did drop a few seconds to end up with a 924. The wind was starting to pick up. Round 4 was task C, next to last and last with a 4 min max. By this time the wind was cranking but the lift was strong so I was flying with 2 ounces of ballast. The strategy in this round was not to let anyone get away and that puts the pressure on your caller. This year I teamed up with Adam Weston and he was focused for the entire weekend and some rounds he was doing everything except touching the sticks for me. We have worked together in contests many times and have a similar flying style so he knew when I needed a push. The huge lift in Poway was always followed by the worst sink you have ever flown in so chasing something downwind was a big risk and quickly put you in the hero or zero position. First launch we managed to get a good read and put it right into lift for the first 4. Now the pressure was on because the next flight was gonna count. We had a read on lift to the left but I held my plane until someone flew into it to verify. It didn’t take long before someone verified our suspicions and I chucked right into it for an easy 4. Round 5 was task E, all up last down. This one is another gut check with three throws that you gotta eat. On this task I watch my streamer while Adam studies all the other indicators and with 15 seconds to go we agree on the direction. With the wind you were pretty much committed to stick with your choice and we made three good ones in a row for the grand. Task J for round 6 is best 3 with 3 min max limited to 6 throws. I don’t remember anything about this one but the score so the air must have been good. Last round of the day on Saturday concerned me quite a bit with task B. Last flight counts, 5 min max. I have missed the train on this task before and got crushed but a good read put me into it on the first chuck and I walked off the field 3 minutes early with 1000 points. I try very hard to just fly the task and not get caught up in score watching so when they passed around the scores at the pizza joint I was happy to see me in 3rd. place with a strong throwout round. So pizza, a couple of beers and some ice cream and we hit the sack early for the last day.

Sunday morning starts out like a normal SoCal day with lift kicking off at sunrise and light winds. Our first task was E, all up and I had a bit of concern when we first got to the field but by the time my round came around the lift was great and I managed to grab em all. Round 2 was B, last flight 5 min max, I got the grand but don’t remember any details. Task M, 5×2 for round 3 and again I know it went well but not much else. Must be the whisky. We ended normal flying with task J, 3×3 with a 6 throw limit. I popped the first one right off. On my second throw I tried to go after some lift downwind and the sink was naaaasty. I landed way way of the field in like 45 seconds. By the time I got back Adam was standing there like the statue of Liberty pointing our the lift and put me into it for 2 good flights to get a 881.

Now to the finals, Adam and I did such a great job for each other we were both in and had to look for another timer. I tagged Lex Mierop to guide me through it. His first question to me was what are my intentions, to win, hold my position or just be conservative and get through it. I said we came to win so give me all the information you can and I will take care of the balls. After that things get a bit blurry for me so maybe Lex can chime in here. I do remember him spotting some big saves for me. I must have dropped a few seconds on the first task, 1-2-3-4, but I came out with a 955. I do remember in the next task, all up, on the second flight it was all sink and we were all down in less than 2 minutes. On the third flight I was just hanging right over head and everyone on the left was sinking fast. I look upwind and Jun was on the other side of the trees working some light stuff. There was two ways to get to the other side of the trees, launch over them or fly over the pits up the window and pass through. I was already to low to go up and over so up pit row it was and as soon as I took a right to get under him I hit the sink and nearly cried. I pushed on to pick it up low and fortunately the lift came back through the window and I had to scrach for everything as it passed over the field. It seemed like forever but it finally broke loose and Jun and I got the time, whew. I believe Oleg was the only other that got the time as he headed down wind hard on launch. Round 3 started with some big sink for the 5×2 task and I thought it was over when I landed way downwind and out. Fortunately for me it was bad for everyone else and I managed a 838. Last round of the contest was 3×3 and I started with a short flight but long enough to be a keeper. On the second flight I tried to catch up with all the guys that took it downwind and got pounded on the way. It was looking very bad and I was about land way out when all of the sudden I hit the biggest lift I have ever flown in. It was crazy, I was full aileron in the opposite direction and still standing on a wing tip going up so fast it was funny. It finally calmed down a bit once I got on top of it but what a ride it was. I finished that round with a 983. After the flyoffs I was hoping I just held my position, the conditions were tough and I didn’t think I had enough to take it all. There were some really strong pilots in that flyoff and some impressive flying.

I guess if you wanna hear more you should plan to attend the Pole Cat Challenge this year. I have some more fuel for the clinic!

I had a great time and it will be quite a while before the smile is gone.

Bruce Davidson
Team, we don’t need no stinkin rudder, Sirius

Ben Wilson is covering the Soaring NATS for the AMA’s NATSNews daily publication.

View our 2007 NATS Photos (updated daily, hopefully!)

Live(ish) updates on RCGroups: The Road to the 2007 NATS

Update: Ryan Woebkenberg has made a report on the NOS NATS: 2007 Nostalgia Nationals.

Update: Unlimited Final Scores. F3J Preliminary and Final Scores.

Seems that LASS regular and handlaunch enthusiast Brian Kopke got together with fellow DLG-flinger Bruce Davidson and flew out at Bruce’s “ranch” in Shelbyville a few weeks ago. One of them returned home one plane shy of a quiver.

Brian got his Photon II discus-launched glider caught in the tallest tree on the lot. Repeated attempts to extract the plane have been fruitless. Bruce has sent in some photos to attest to it’s predicament as his goat (“Nickolas”) and his pygmy donkey (“Lucy”) stand guard.

LASS members Bruce Davidson and Ken Marks represented Louisville at the East Coast Handlaunch Glider Festival in Wilson, NC from October 20-22. The brand-new XP-5 DLG from Polecat Aero was unveiled, and Ken and Bruce had a grand old time.

In the end, Bruce placed 3rd and Ken was 14th out of 24

Results are here, pictures are here, and you can read all the war-stories you want over at RCGroups!

Local boy Bruce Davidson recently competed in one of Europe’s largest handlaunch glider contests in Laucha, Germany – about 2 hours south of Berlin. Over 80 competitors from a dozen countries were involved. Bruce, along with US handlaunch hot-shot Phil Barnes travelled to Germany to represent the United States. Bruce ended up 13th in the preliminaries, with Phil in 3rd. Bruce missed the cutoff by just a hair, as only the top 12 pilots proceed to the final fly-offs. Phil ended up in 11th place.

The competition was of a very high level compared to our US competitions, and you can read Phil and Bruce’s reports of the contest here at RCGroups: German Championship F3K @ RCGroups.

We’re very proud of our teammate and are glad he was able to represent the US well!

Photo courtesy of Arne Asper

Already, our man Bruce Davidson took home 2nd place in NATS Handlaunch!

More later. Until then, you can keep up with all the NATS news with the… NATSNews from the AMA.

First, let’s go back to Thursday, June 29th – the day before the contest, and LASS’s usual “evening” flying day. President Ed Wilson shows up to the field, but doesn’t look so hot! Later that evening, he would go to the emergency room with a pretty serious infection! 18 months of careful planning and orchestration, and he gets sick then! A more hang-dog look on a face few have ever seen. The doctor tells him to cool his jets for at least 24 hours and prescribes him some super-serum to get him back in action as soon as possible. The LASS crue quickly fills in the gaps to get the MidSouths off the ground!

Handlaunch – Friday AM

Friday morning comes and the weather is fantastic at Hays Kennedy Park. The field has just been mown and winds are light and variable out of the south. Registration for handlaunch at the MidSouths has never been stellar, and we weren’t really sure how many would show! Luckily, we had 12 intrepid souls show up – including Jeff and Bret Carr from way down in North Carolina, and hot off of Bret’s first-ever contest at the 2006 Polecat Challenge!

Contest director, LASS’s own Bruce Davidson decided to switch things up a bit and try out a bit of a “Pro/Am” arrangement with assigned timers. We’d be flying two seeded groups of 6, and the first place guy would time for the last place. 2nd place would time for 2nd to last, etc.

We managed to fly 8 rounds in some really tough air that we would seem to stick around for the whole of the weekend. The “Pro/Am” timer style seemed to be a hit with all the pilots.

Rounds flown in order were:

6 flights 90 second max

Total time 2-minute max

5 flights 2-minute max

3 flights 3-minute max

3 flights 3-minute max

2 threes and 2 twos

1-2-3-4 in any order

6 flights 90 second max. The last round was chosen from my hat from the first 7.

In the end, LASS’s own Ben Wilson managed to squeak out the win over his mentor (LASS’s Bruce Davidson) by a mere 10 points! Jeff Carr did very well to round out the wood with a solid 3rd place, beating out fellow Polecat Challenger Allan Schwerin (4th) and all-around threat Paul Siegel (5th).

RES – Friday PM

With Ed still at home recuperating, the RES CD task was handed off to contest-directing-newbie Ben Wilson. How hard could it be? Just four flights in a 3 hour window with one winch and retrieval — no problem!

With rain quickly closing in, the pilot’s meeting at 3:30 became the starter’s pistol for anywho who dared to fly into the oncoming cold front. Luckily, it was just a reminder — and not visions of past “MudSouths”. The rain quickly passed, but not before a few intrepid pilots felt the icy sting of little lift and short flight times.

With the treeline so close to the river, many pilots chose to slope the treelines – and woe unto anyone who decided to try their luck on making a circle! “Surfing the wave” seemed to be the way to go.

The sky eventually cleared and the sun came out but the air was still very calm, with only the softest of bubbles to help you maintain. Keen stick-stills were necessary to squeeze every bit of lift off of whatever you could find.

Many AVA’s from Kennedy Composites were flown that evening, but none so well as Don Cleveland’s. Don turned in back-to-back-to-back 10 minute flights, a feat unmatched in such soft air. Second behind him was LASS’s own Ben Wilson who flew his prototype EZ Bubble Dancer from Polecat Aero. Third place went to Paul Siegel also flying an AVA, and just out of the wood was LASS’s own Tony Utley, also piloting an AVA.

Unlimited Saturday and Sunday (Main Event)

Ed still being out, LASS tapped the triumvirate of Gellart, Glover and Siebenaler for CD’ing duties on Saturday. LASS crue members Ken Marks, Brian Kopke, Hank Gullet and Dave Flanigan supported the day by shagging chutes and tending to some fitful winches.

That Saturday morning 41 pilots gathered for the pilots meeting. Thanks to the generosity of other clubs we had 10 winches laid out for seeded man on man contest. No one who flew Friday had found the field’s sweet spot. So there was a lot of guessing and strategy as to where to go and find lift. This seemed to be the tactics all day. A couple of poor souls went too far south one time and found a monster sink hole that put one in the top of a VERY large tree. Others could not make it back to the field and landed in the water along side a dog run. One of the top groups found so much sink that the whole group was down in 4 minutes on a ten minute task. Don’t think the field was a big sink hole instead most people made their time all day, just sometimes they had to work a little harder.

On Saturday, it looked like Don Richmond flying in Grey Cup class was about to put it on everyone for Saturdays overall win but in man on man “it isn’t over until it is over” was bested by Marc Gellart for the win for Saturday.

Sunday, Ed was feeling better, and was determined to get out to the field – and so he did! At the pilot’s meeting that morning, LASS had a special surprised for one of it’s own – the juniorest of junior LASS members, Lee Atchison. Ed spun a good yarn about Lee’s burgeoning talent, and Lee has brought his grades up considerably at school. “Little Lee” has really exceeded expectations, and so Ed and Lee’s mother pitched in to get Lee a brand-new ship, an fully re-kitted Olympic II and a new radio. Lee was terribly embarassed, but we think it made a good impression on Lee and on the assembled pilots.

It had been hot Saturday and Sunday was going to be a repeat. That fact and in an effort to get people back on the road toward home it was announced we would only fly 4 rounds. Flying Sunday was mostly a repeat of Saturday. Several flights were saved by flying out the time at or below tree height. I saw two flights sky out over the river. Meanwhile late in the day several guys went south of the field and skied out for easy times.

Rob Glover won Sunday, but the overall two-day honors went to Karl Miller! Karl received the overall trophy – a Louisville Slugger Bat. Karl is the first two time winner of the Louisville Slugger Grand Championship Bat with his Icon.

Many thanks must be given to everyone who brought winches, shagged a chute, climbed a tree, flew, landed, ate, bought a shirt or otherwise enjoyed themselves!

Full results can be found here: 2006 MidSouth Championships.

The weather looks to be excellent for this weekend with 10-15MPH southwest winds and sunny/partly cloudy all weekend.

Walk-up registrations are more than welcome – but get there early to avoid the rush. Plenty of frequencies are still open – but bring an alternate just in case!

See ya there! Watch the website for photos and scores.