Despite a generally poor summer we were fortunate this season to pick 6 very flyable weekends .Particularly memorable was the weekend of July 26^th/27^th when we held our International F.A.I. event INTERGLIDE Generously sponsored by Heino Korvel .who supplied a fully molded model glider Tragi 707 for 1^st Prize .

Hosted by the Pete Allen and the I.S.A club who organised an excellent competition and very good social evening and BBQ which I’m sure was enjoyed by all and particularly our European friends. Interglide Champion was Colin Paddon .Read the full report at

www.Interglide.co.uk or at www.barcs.co.uk

 

 Sunday 21^st September we were blessed with beautiful weather, warm sunshine very light winds with a hint of easterly direction .Perfect thermal soaring conditions,

This gave us an ideal day to conclude the 2008 season.

Off the 45 competitors who had entered the 2008 league 6 pilots still had a chance to contest the final 2 team places. And represent team UK in the European Championships. Which are to be held in Poland in 2009? (Adrian Lee had already qualified in 1^st Place). 

The competion was run to our normal format of 5 rounds and 2 fly offs

Every 10 minute slot (25 total) was flown out, as was the 2 x15 minute fly offs .

Though this sounds easy it was actually quite difficult as the thermals were often small and difficult to track.

As four of the team contenders Dave East, Bob Dickenson, Ian Duff, and Nic Kidd Found out, all four being unable to fly out just one of their slots, and thus missing out on a team place.

It was a day where good team spotter’s skills were essential.

    

Spotters if they were not careful could be fooled By the Marsh Gibbon  Red Kites who I’m sure set out to deceive , They often appear following the models round and round in that imaginary or illusive thermal .

 

After 5 rounds five pilots qualify for the fly offs and the extra points that can be gained.

Conditions remained perfect for the late afternoon finals all pilots launching on the start buzzer unfortunately Simon Jackson’s competitive nature caused him to overstress his model on launch and the subsequent wing flutter damaged a wing servo forcing him to land.

Without a second model Simon had to accept 5^th place all the other pilots went on to make the 15 min time.

Round 2 saw the 4 remaining pilots launch simultaneously .Austin Guirrier landing on 13mins, the other 3 managing to fly close to the15 min time.

I must thank Pete Weston who was the volunteer C.D. for this competition .He ran the

Event in a strict but fair manner .Exactly what was required for such an important climax to the 2008 season.

 

FINAL PLACES                 FLYOFF ONE               TWO                  TOTAL        

1^st MIKE RAYBONE               993.95                      1000                    1993.94      

2^ND COLIN PADDON             994.95                       996.98                1991.93     

3^RD CHRIS GLOVER              974.77                       995.97                 1970.74       

4^TH AUSTIN GUERRIER        1000                          864.92                1864.92

5^TH SIMON JACKSON                 0                                   0                         0

Thanks also go to Carol Boorman for again taking on the position of score person and Kevin Beale for all his behind the scenes work particularly event matrixing and associated paper work.

Without volunteers like Carol, Peter, and Kevin it would be difficult for our league to continue and to improve.

I am currently looking for Volunteer Teams to C.D. and run F3J 2009 events  if you are interested please email me at WIXY3@HOTMAIL .COM

 

For the first time this season competitors have been allowed to include one FAI Euro league score to count towards team qualification.

I am very pleased to see how well this was accepted by F3J UK competitors.

Some 31 UK Pilots recorded FAI scores.

Colin Paddon was highest placed Brit with a score of 299.3 in 10^th place

Phillip Kolb (designer of the Pike Perfect) Was Euro League Champion with a score of 308.8  

There were 410 pilots in the Euro League 2008.

It’s my belief that competing in Europe raises the standard of competitive flying and long may it continue.

 

Congratulations go to Adrian Lee who flew exceptionally well all season winning   the 2008 UK F3J League.

Adrian’s winning scores.

R1         R2        R3      R4             FAI         R6           Best 4 from 6

99.5      103.6   102.0   100.9        102.4       78.5         Total     408.9

 

2^nd Place Colin Paddon     with a final score off                        400.0

3^rd Place Austin Guirrier   with a final score off                        395.6

 

Therefore these 3 pilots will represent the UK at the 2009 F3J European Championships

Adrian Lee, Colin Paddon , Austin Guirrier.

Reserves  Ian Duff and Bob Dickenson. Kevin Beale.

Full League Results are on the BARCS web site.

 

Provided the necessary volunteers come forward to help run f3j events in 2009 the team (Graham & Kevin) intend to continue managing the BMFA/BARCS F3J League (Southern /Midland area) next year.

We intend to propose the same format as 2008 with the only change being the introduction of the new Fai landing tape rule.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support .

Graham Wicks.

 

Picture below F3J League Champion Adrian Lee