SA Scale and Jet Masters 2005 -- Paula Denysschen

SA MASTERS

The first ever-combined SA Masters for scale and jets was held over the weekend of 5th & 6th March 2005. The competition was originally scheduled for Zwartkops, but due to a changing of chiefs in charge at the airbase we could not get permission to use the facilities. The venue was then changed to split venues. Static for both disciplines took place Saturday morning at Extreme RC Academy. The facilities they offer for static judging is of the best in the country. Where else can you place the judges to do static scoring in an air-conditioned environment? Static was completed by lunchtime. After everyone had lunch flying commenced on a very well groomed grass field. F4C as well as S.O.S was flown on Saturday afternoon. Flying was of a very high standard with no mishaps by anyone. On Saturday evening a braai was held in the Lapa next to the pool, another part of the top facilities of Extreme RC Academy.

The final positions for F4C scale was Koos Pretorius the victor, followed by Humphrey Le Grice and in third place Johan Ehlers Snr. S.O.S only had two competitors with Johan Ehlers Jnr in first place and second place was taken by Ian Edwards.

A word of thanks to Extreme for the use of their facilities as well as to all the helpers.

Sunday was used for flying of the jets and the venue that was used was O.D.I north of Pretoria. We also only had five competitors, three in F4J and two in Sports Scale. A stiff wind blew throughout the day but luckily straight down the runway. Flying was of a good standard with only Greg Casson loosing a canopy during his second flight. Freddy Kotze had a bad day with a none start in round one and an engine failure in round three when his Bay Turbine threw two blades on the Turbine wheel.

The final score was Mark Savage first, Glen Roberts second and Greg Casson third. Sport Scale was Malcolm Cameron first followed by Freddy Kotze in second.

Thank you to all the participants, judges, helpers and to Koos for doing the scoring. After a good lunch prepared by Adriaan we had a prize giving at which the team to participate at the 6th World Jet Masters in Hungary was announced. The team to go will be Mark, Greg and Glen and James Peel as the team manager.

On behalf of all the modelers I wish you good luck and trust that you will make South Africa proud.