Page 26 - MFWDec 2023

IN THE BAY

Kevin Botherway

The F5J in the Bay had reasonable participation with Dave
Griffin organizing the entries. Our NZ World Champion
team was back in the air having just arrived back from
Bulgaria. The forecast looked marginal for Sunday, but we
pushed on with the competition. We had a few people from
around the country coming which made it a fun event.
Most turned up for secret practice on Friday, followed by a
great BBQ dinner and garden tour with Joe and Jan
Wurts. Flavoursome BBQ lunches were also served by
Joe for both days of the competition.

The next morning was fantastic with blue sky and very little
wind. It made for tricky launching and landing, with light
wind altered by thermal activity changing directions for
most of the day. We flew 3 groups all day and managed a
very relaxed 7 complete rounds. The air seemed to top out
early in the morning. An inversion layer around 100m high
meant you could not climb out and as you hit this ceiling
the planes got pushed aside by the thermal. Pilots needed
to search around to hold on to height for the 10-minute
window. Myles Moloney had a new to him, old PlusX. This
was well repaired from the previous owner’s crash and
finally up and flying. Unfortunately, Myles had radio
problems so reverted back to his old model. Stewart Cox
and Bruce Clarke were both flying Maxa electrics and did
very well even though they are heavier models.

Saturday night dinner was at a local eatery providing a
nice evening by the Napier, Ahuriri Port. It enabled all the
pilots to catch up as it has been some time since our last
meeting.

Sunday was slightly overcast, and conditions were set to
eventually swing to a sea-breeze. We altered groups
around and had the remaining 5 rounds in 2 groups of 2.
With an odd number of participants, one person timed
themselves with the use of a glider keeper making it
possible. The thermals did take some searching with a
slight lack of sun making it more challenging than
Saturday. Usually, towards the end of the group round,
with a little patience, most found themselves in a
comfortable height position.

Overall, most guys are getting a consistent quality of flying
and improvements in precision landings. With limited
repairs or damage over the event, it made for a fun,
enjoyable weekend.

Soaring Rocks!!!!!!
Rowdy
76 th

Model Flying New Zealand
Come soaring with us at the Nationals NATIONALS
Clareville
Jan 1st-5th
2024

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