Curtis Switzer and his 1/3-scale Stearman.
By Gerry Garing
We knew the weather could be problematic today. However, we were hoping for the best. Arriving at the field around 7:30 AM, the skies were clear with a breeze. By the 8:00 AM pilot meeting, the had wind picked up to a stiff direct crosswind and was forecast to become even stronger. By pilot vote, the decision was made to fly round 3, after which, conditions would be assessed. Another vote among pilots would decide whether to continue or cancel flying for the day. Since the forecast for Sunday is clear skies and light winds, round 4 could be flown Sunday, which would be four complete rounds of flying.
Flying got underway around 8:30. A few pilots elected to not fly that round. Those who did were certainly challenged, but handled it well. The wind was stronger at altitude. The effects could be seen on maneuvers such as the figure-8, with the wind pushing the planes off course.
Takeoffs and landings are the riskiest parts of crosswind conditions. Coordination of aileron and rudder is what keeps the plane on track and not blown over. The upwind wing needs up-aileron to keep the wing low and not allow the wind to get under it. At the same time, opposite rudder is applied to keep the plane aligned with the runway. Pilots who do not typically use rudder often struggle in these conditions. The pilots here are very good.
Unfortunately, two beautiful models were lost today. Neither crash was wind related. One suffered a structural failure in which the vertical fin seemed to flutter and eventually detached from the fuselage, resulting in total loss of control. The second crash was another loss of control situation; this one was due to either a lost or errant radio signal. In theory, any plane can be rebuilt. It is unlikely either of these will, as the damage was excessive. There were no other major incidents to report.
The vote was taken after round 3, and the decision was made to cancel flying for the day. It turned out to be the right call, as the winds became quite variable in speed and direction. By early afternoon, a brief but heavy rain was moving in. Rain, including a thunderstorm, continued throughout the remainder of the afternoon. Power was out for a brief time at the campsite. The bad weather should be through by early evening, and the forecast is quite favorable for tomorrow, the final day of competition.
