2026 Nationals

Uggh, weather has NOT been favorable this year.

So far in 4 days we have not managed to fly each group once. For reference, a full competition is 3 flights per group. We have 2 more days scheduled, but weather is forecast to be garbage both days.

I finally got my first flight in today. Not great but not bad either. I am currently 6th out of 25 in Sportsman. This was the known sequence, which is not my best. I generally do much better in the two free sequences, because I can tailor them to my aircraft. Unfortunately I strongly doubt we will get a free sequence in, let alone two.

But a lot of fun and I got a whole lot of box flying in over the last 2 weeks.
 
Just got the schedule for final two days. They are not even going to try to fly sportsman because the group is so large. I understand the logic, but it sucks to sit in Kansas for two weeks and get one competition flight.

Oh well. Next year.
 
That sucks. So do you go into the records as the 6th place finisher, or is it just a null event for Sportsman this year?
 
Half Fast said:
That sucks. So do you go into the records as the 6th place finisher, or is it just a null event for Sportsman this year?
Click to expand...

I don't know. Two flights are required for a "championship" to be awarded. But the results will still get posted, and they already bought the trophies so ...

They changed the plan this morning. Sportsman second flight scheduled for tomorrow. Weather forecast looks bad, but at least they are going to try. Fingers crossed.

My free program is much stronger. Really hoping I get to fly it. But still a great event.
 
All of POA pullin for ya, can’t go wrong!

Fair winds and following seas!
 
That sucks. So do you go into the records as the 6th place finisher, or is it just a null event for Sportsman this year?
Tools said:
All of POA pullin for ya, can’t go wrong!

Fair winds and following seas!
Click to expand...

Isn't today Thursday? I thought Thursday's toast was "To a bloody war or a sickly season!"
 
Oooo, now it appears they might try to squeeze in some of us tonight, if the weather holds. Cool.

We are right on the edge of a frontal system, so 10 miles east or west will make all the difference.
 
If the leading edge comes through while you’re in the air, you could have a winning routine of flips, flops, and spins.

 
The FAA waivered airspace here is cool. We are at a fairly busy Class D airport. Several regional airlines run scheduled service, and Kansas State has a flight school here. The box is offset from the main runway, so not unusual to have aerobatic and GA or airline traffic running side by side. The tower does a great job of deconflicting it all.

Multiple regs are waived inside the circle. Minimum altitude, minimum fuel, use of anti collision lights, and several others I can't remember.

I am terrified of ATC, so being forced to fly several times a day with a tower has been good practice for me.

Screenshot_20260924-130706.png
 
Got my second flight in. I am pleased with how I flew and scored, but competition was stiff. I placed 4th in the free program, but stayed in 6th overall. I am a bit let down that I did not meet my goal of medaling (top 3) in a flight, but I feel like I have a solid base to make a run at the championship next year.

If anyone is interested in watching my flight, it starts at 44:20 here.

 
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I wonder how competitors completely tore down their plane and rebuilt it themselves? One? That’s a cool accomplishment even before knowing how to fly upside down and every-which-way, then place 4th in a competition. Cool stuff.
 
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