Fling Competition Report: June 2008

Up, Up and away

A cold but clear day and the big turnout of fliers meant two rows of parking and then some. Lots of fliers and more than the usual spectators.

The first round was a bit of a seeking flight as pilots hunted the elusive thermals or any additional lift that may have been around. There seemed to be plenty of assistance for the better pilots and enough for the remainder of the pack. It didn't matter,as usual the fun was in the flying and trying, not just in success.

While a few power flyers played around on the main strip, the Flings had everyone else's attention as they flew the last round before lunch and hovered gently about. Suddenly the dreaded cry from one of the pilots, "I've lost it!".

As can happen with a dozen identical aircraft in the sky at once, someone blinks and inadvertantly starts "flying" another model. Unfortunately, because of the steady nature of the Fling, by the time this is noticed by the errant pilot, his glider can be well gone.

So, with no idea of the possible landing area or even if the model had come down, off Gary trudged to look in the surounding paddocks in what ultimately became an unsuccessful search.

During the first round after the lunch break, a couple of onlookers happened to see a plane land out in the field to the east of the flying area. A quick count showed 10 Flings in the air and 11 pilots intently on the controls of their models. Yes, another case of wrong model and another flier with no idea that his craft was now flying solo. At least this time someone had seen an out landing and could point out the corect direction and approximate area.

This time it was Gary's brother Ross who headed out on safari in search of his wayward model. Incredibly he returned in short time with both of the missing Flings. By chance, luck or divine plan both of the models, lost an hour apart, had landed without assistance, completely undamaged and within metres of each other.