Processing and Official Practice

Our official practice and processing time was scheduled for today at 13:30 and 14:50 respectively. Fly first and the process right after on line #2. With this in mind we decided to sleep in and relax in the morning. I was sent down to get Kelly a coffee from the fancy coffee machine in the eating area. With explicit instructions I headed down and on arrival in front of the machine, I started pushing buttons. Lets just say I botched it and heard the wrath on return to the room. I am no longer being sent down for coffee :-)

We slowly gathered our gear and headed towards the rental car when a text came through from Chad... seems things have changed and we are now processing at 12:10 and flying our official practice session at 15:10. Rolling with the punches :-)

On arrival at the main site we were advised that processing was now at site #1 and flying at site #2. This meant our planes needed to be assembled, weighed, measured and sound tested and then disassembled and moved to site #2 for the flying portion. Rolling again:-)

Chad double checked the processing location and they said they would be ready for inspection very soon. As we had planned for the new 12:10 time this would unnecessarily push us once again. We took our time and although we went in earlier than stated in the notification, we all passed with little difficulty.

Weighing & Measuring

Neat device weighs and measures.

Sound Testing

Team results were as follows

Weights
Chad  A - 5042 grams  B - 4987 grams
Michi A - 4868 grams  B - 4920 grams
Ethan A - 4515 grams  B - 4828 grams
Dave A - 4886 grams  B - 4920 grams

All passed noise testing as well :-)

Once completed we had a walk about and then headed to the #2 Flight Line for our team flights. On arrival the judging panel was still training so the RSA team was consequently still waiting to fly. Looked like a solid hour delay. Rolling some more:-)

We decided to return to the main site for lunch and met up with many friends and old acquaintances from previous worlds. Lunch was tasty and we knew the #2 Flight Line was open for practice as the entire judging panel arrived for their lunch. They had tablet training as well to acclimatize them to the electronic scoring system. This system will display the scores in real time on a big screen for spectators... eek!

We tried to ply the USA Judge for tidbits... but it didn't work!

 We finished lunch and  headed to Site #2 to get ready for our official practice. This practice session (10 minutes per team member) gives each pilot the chance to fly one of the sites & gives you a feel for the surroundings and obstacles if any.

We reassembled the planes and then watch the Swiss Team fly. The Czech team was next but they where halted for 20 minutes while a Super Puma helicopter did a flight demo practice session for the airshow tomorrow. Hey they need practice too!

Assemble, disassemble.... see a trend! 

Judging practice :-)

Ready for practice.

We finally flew with Chad, Michi, Ethan and myself getting their shot. The UK team, Kazakhstan and Brazil had been scheduled to follow but they ended up flying at site #1. We were the last so we stuck around and had a few photos taken of the team. Hartley and Pat had to leave to attend the Manager's meeting at 17:15 so they missed out. :-(

Team Canada F3A 2015

 We packed up and went to site #1 to get an ice cream cone!! It closed a minute before we arrived... rolling again! We had a visit with a few folks and met up with Linda and Tim Jesky (from our South African adventures) and Cindy and Mike Wickizer. They had just arrived today.

It was hot and humid today so it was time to head back to the hotel and freshen up for dinner. We left Pat & Hartley to attend the Manager's meeting, which had been pushed back to 18:00 for some reason.

Dinner was Chinese Take Away (very good BTW) just near the hotel and as we arrived back, the flight order was announced and we discussed who flew when and where. Generally good times with one early am for Sunday and a long day for me as I fly after 6 pm. Hope I can stay focused in this heat!

Hartley arrived back at the hotel around 9:20 PM and we all discussed meeting details and flight order. Goodie bags dispensed and it was time for bed.

I have added a link on the right side of the page to the starting order that has been posted on the Worlds Website. You can cycle through each day and see who flies when and where. I'll add scores later.

Our team members fly at... (This is approximate & subject to change with little or no notification whatsoever :-)

Preliminary Flight Schedule
Day 1- Sunday
Site #2 Ethan at 09:06
Site #2 Chad at 15:19
Site #1 Michi at 17:30
Site #2 Dave at 18:15

Day 2 - Monday
Site #2 Chad at 08:39
Site #1 Michi at 10:59
Site #2 Dave at 11:40
Site #2 Ethan at 18:06

Day 3 - Tuesday
Site #1 - Ethan at 11:31
Site #2 - Michi at 15:20
Site #1 - Dave at 16:05
Site #1 - Chad at 17:49

Day 4 - Wednesday
Site #2 - Michi at 08:39
Site #1 - Dave at 09:15
Site #1 - Chad at 11:04
Site# 1 - Ethan at 15:56