The Golden West Air Show will again be sponsoring the EAA Chapter vs. Chapter Aircraft Competition at Marysville (KMYV) on Sunday, June 8. The event is open to all EAA Chapters, and is being organized and conducted solely by EAA volunteers.
The format for the Golden West Air Show will change this year with Aerobatic Performers flying on Saturday only. Sunday will be a display day that is open to the public, and will allow our competition to expand the level of activities. In addition to the traditional aircraft judging, there will be a Spot Landing and Bomb Drop contest. The Chapter with the highest point total (including Bomb Drop and Spot Landing) will be declared the winner.
The winning Chapter will be awarded a 1st Place Photo/Plaque plus Prize Money, which has been increased to $300 for 2014. Each Competitor (and their passengers) will receive a Sunday breakfast voucher and Airshow passes for the day, all courtesy of Golden West. A Sunday Fly-Out with a free breakfast and a possible fund raiser for your Chapter?…..Sounds like a winner to me!
This year’s contest will include 4 judged entrants per Chapter: 3 Homebuilts and 1 Antique thru Contemporary (1970 or earlier production aircraft). If they so choose, each Chapter will be allowed one additional non-judged entrant (of any year make or model) to compete in the flight contests, for a possible total of 5 entered aircraft. Note that the flight competition will involve a total of 2 aircraft from each Chapter (details later).
Additional judging points will be awarded for
- the greatest variety of aircraft entered
- the oldest homebuilt (no repeat from 2013)
- the oldest Antique/Classic (no repeat from 2013)
- the oldest participating pilot (no repeat from 2013)
- the youngest participating pilot (no repeat from 2013)
The “no repeats” can still enter the competition but will not receive any bonus points. Sunday’s event should conclude by 13:30.
Each Chapter can enter 2 aircraft into the flight competition. If they so choose, a Chapter will be allowed to enter one additional non-judged aircraft to compete in the flight contests, for a total of 5 entered aircraft. This aircraft need not be a Homebuilt or Classic/Antique (ie. A 1995 Cessna 172 would qualify). The only restriction is that flight competition aircraft must be LSA or larger. Gyrocopters and helicopters need not apply! Points from the Flying Competition will be added to the point total for the Aircraft Judging to determine the overall winning Chapter.
Spot Landing Contest.
A Chapter may enter 2 aircraft, each allowed to perform one spot landing. A touchdown stripe will be marked on the runway surface. Competing aircraft will fly downwind, base, and final approach from standard pattern altitude. Points will be awarded to the top 4 Competitors for the closest landing on or beyond the designated stripe. Touchdown will be determined when both main gear are firmly in contact with the runway. If the aircraft “skips”, measurement will be taken from the furthest point of touchdown.
The landing may be accomplished at the pilot’s discretion using power, flaps, slips, etc. as necessary, providing the approach and landing is accomplished in a safe manner. No points will be awarded for landing before the stripe or for flying that is deemed unsafe. Contestants must coordinate their landing attempt with the appropriate Judge prior to takeoff.
Flour Bomb Drop
A Chapter may enter 1 aircraft to perform one bomb drop. A garbage can located on the West side of the runway will be the designated target. Competing aircraft will be supplied one “flour bomb” which will consist of a paper lunch bag containing approximately 2” of flour. The bomb run will be conducted by flying a downwind, base, and final approach from standard pattern altitude, with a “bomb release” altitude of 400’ AGL. Points will be awarded to the top 3 Competitors for the bomb landing closest to the garbage can. No points will be awarded if the release altitude is determined to be lower than 400” AGL or for flying which is deemed unsafe. Contestants must coordinate their bomb run with the appropriate Judge prior to takeoff. (I’ve been told the safest place to be during this contest is “in” the garbage can!)