Sunday, May 21, 2000 - Prince George's Radio Control Club held the 1st Annual Capitol Classic Scale Combat Contest today under foreboding skies. Six fliers fought through six rounds of combat for a total of six flights apiece.

The damp air created problems with our streamers. They just kept falling off in flight! To get around this problem, we tried plastic surveyor tape, but it wouldn't cut very well -- mostly it just slid off our wings! However, George Boardman did get a cut on me with his prop. But his engine quit. After landing and inspection we found that he had over 10 feet of streamer wound around his crankshaft!

Pam, from Prince George's Radio Control Club, chose this event as her first foray into combat. Although she lost a plane during the combat, she flew well and looked like she had a great time! I think she'll be dangerous at the next event. At the halfway point we stopped for a wonderful lunch of grilled hamburgers and hot-dogs.

Overall I had a good day. I flew all rounds, didn't loose any planes, and took first place! Despite the problems and overcast conditions, Contest Director Alan Goodman put on a great event with six pilots braved the conditions to do combat. Throughout the day, we overheard the heavy population of pylon racers saying, "We need to get into this!" It's apparent that the combat bug has bitten the racers at this club!

The weather forecast surely played a part in the light turnout, but PGRC's next event will surely be better attended. I'd like to thank Pica for donating the 1st and 2nd place prizes, and thanks again to PGRC for putting on the event and for spreading the word of combat to their club members!

Contestants

The Winners!

• First Place - Chris Shepherd
• Second Place - Earl Nester
• Third Place - George Boardman