Mercer 2011
- Details
- Category: Past Events and Results
- Published on Tuesday, 03 January 2012 07:45
- Hits: 51
Mercer Competition by Grant Benns
Despite the forecast, the weather on the day was reasonable – a 4000’ cloud base (cloud cover – the judges like that!) but with a stiff breeze coming across the box at 45 degrees which proved a bit of a positioning challenge. We had a good turnout – ten competitors in seven very different aircraft.
Mercer Field (Regional Airport!) is looking great and the facilities have been improved, with more to come. In fact, I can see us using the field more frequently in the future – flat paddocks, un-controlled airspace up to 4500’, a cafe opening soon, a 1200m sealed strip going in soon too, fuel and a warm welcome – aerobatic nirvana!
We had time for everybody to have a decent 15-20 minute crack in the box each – a critiquing/practice session followed by the judged flight. As you can see from the results below, we had a good range of categories flown, and a fair spread of results too. The final results were determined by the best percentage score, regardless of category. The top 3 were very close (the guy in forth drifted a bit...) and in the David Cranna in the mighty Zlin Z50LS prevailed, flying intermediate. Very generously, Dee and Neil put up a dinner meal voucher at the Tuakau Tavern as the prize for first, second and third – prizes at a NZ Aerobatic Club Event...now we are talking! Many thanks to you both for your support of the event.
The results-
| 1st | David Cranna | Zlin Z50LS | Intermediate | 71.77% |
| 2nd | Russell Bell | Giles G200 | Advanced | 71.08% |
| 3rd | Richard Hood | Giles G202 | Advanced | 70.08% |
| 4th | Grant Benns | Extra 300L | Advanced | 67.71% |
| 5th | Brent Griffin | Giles G202 | Intermediate | 65.83% |
| 6th | Jeff Hunter | Alpha | Sports | 65.67% |
| 7th | Keith Tetzlaff | Extra 300L | Sports | 63.45% |
| 8th | Murray Rogers | Vans RV6 | Sports | 62.93% |
| 9th | Trish Stephens | Vans RV6 | Basic | 56.62% |
| 10th | Darrell Brown | Pitts S1 | Intermediate | 55.85% |
David flew very cleanly and consistently, as did Darrell (as usual). However, the difference between 1st and 10th is getting a score – any score! – for each manoeuvre as drawn. Brent had his first real go at aeros in the Giles, and, as expected, he flew it very well – somebody to watch in the future. Great to see some new faces and planes – welcome Jeff and Trish. And great to see Murray battling with the (light) controls of the RV6 whilst the CT4 is temporarily out of the air. Keith had about as much practice as me (none!) and our combined ‘g’ tolerance totalled about 4’g’ – but we had fun, I think! As expected, unlimited pilot Richard cruised through Advanced (also without much practice) but had the result of the Nationals reversed by the consistent and polished flying of Russell – the battle of the Giles’.