Second round of North Island Series 2013 was held in the central north island forestry town of Tokoroa during the second weekend of April . To get to the field on time we hit the road minutes before 6AM . The dawning sky changed every second with a sea of clouds looking towards Meremere plain on top of Bombay Hill resulting in quite a “ middle earth ” like scenery . “ This is going to be a fabulous weekend ”, we told ourselves as we left Auckland .
Just as we approached Tokoroa , the morning fog finally dissipated after driving under it for two and a half hours . As if reserved by Wayne R ., crystal blue sky , the sort that you see in winter Nelson warmly received us at Tokoroa airstrip .
I was the last pilot arrived that day , barely on the clock , only managed a few quick hellos before we all got rounded up for briefing . The pilot register was quite a list , with pilots from all corners of North Island , as far north as Whangarei , Auckland , Waikato , Bay of Plenty , Taupo and Wellington . As Tokoroa airstrip was an active full size airstrip , Wayne detailed the procedure when radio got cracking and / or when manned aircraft was sighted . The radio did get busy couple of times but since they sounded Martian we regarded them as static in both cases nevertheless still remain vigilant to any full size activity .
We got enough interests in Sportsman , F3C and 3DNZ . All categories have at least 4 entries making it quite meaningful . The category with most entries was the Sportsman as this is the NZMF HeliSIG category that prepares pilots into more advanced category , such as F3C or 3DNZ .
Competitions got underway shortly past 9:30am , First round was rather difficult though it was windless but the sun was at 11 o ’ clock high making depth perception difficult and competition nerve made it worse , when I finished the top pirouette of Dimond 3 , my heli was literal right over head of me . Funny that heli was much easier to see at that position . Everyone tic-toed through this round . 3D guys did their 2 minutes freestyle off to the right and only bring their helis back to the square for landing .
Lunch was burger and sausage cooked by Julie and Wayne . That burger was quite notable , slice of beetroot and onion ring made it luxurious but one only needed to part a big gold coin for it . Competition nerves disappeared with the saucies and burgers . Side dishes were the chitchats .
With full stomachs and the sun moved behind us , second round started shortly past two . A little breeze was present to cool us down from the competition heat . Level of flying went up many steps , manoeuvres were centred , stops were definite and smiles returned to our faces .
First day of competition concluded at 4:30 , I was exhausted from the sun and the 4 flights I did in 2 rounds of Sportsman and F3C and yet the 3D guys quickly queued up tearing the sky , loosing it all up while a very annoying glider messed about … As annoying as those flies : )
Top : Phil Davies and TT Raptor Middle : Allen James manning Mission Control Bottom : Taupo ‘ pit stop ’
Photos Dean Hastie
Dinner wine got the better of me ; I retired early to bed , missing the Polynesian hot pools and chitchats at Wayne ’ s and most importantly , the opportunity to sabotage his competition heli and sealed the result of F3C .
On Sunday , it was fog all along the way into Tokoroa but at airstrip sun was again in full force with crystal blue sky . I was told that another party at Taupo went all the way into small hours and saw some sleepy eyes . The final run went under way as scheduled , the level of flying was piping hot even with difficult lighting condition . It was the last round and there was no holding back . Piros were in the blur , motor were screaming , blade tips breaking sound barrier and judges getting ready to dodge … Competition completed with all flights in this round landed safely and with style , another evidence of level of flying of this round . Again , smiles everywhere , satisfaction on the flight just done and sense of achievement completing the event . In no moment helis queued up and trash talks resumed . Competition ? Nah ! I take it more as fun flies with equal flying opportunities . See you in Hamilton !