Battle Creek Field of Flight
2013
Battle Creek, MI
Joe Zvada Wins in BC!The Saturday evening and Sunday morning flights were cancelled due to rain in the area making the standings on this page the final results! Congrats to Joe Zvada, Paul Petrehn, and Joe Heartsill for podium finishes. An impressive week of flying by Gary Heavin, and Nick Donner round out the top 5.
Saturday Morning 7/6 - 3 tasksQuicker winds and a three part task for competitors in BC Saturday morning. The first target was a JDG positioned south of the airport. Lots of steering made for very close scores - top eleven were less than a meter!
Task 2 was a HWZ with two goal options for pilots to choose from. The low surface winds became variable approaching this target for most pilots increasing the challenge of the task, but not decreasing the results. Seven pilots were under a meter on this target. Task 3 was a JDG positioned in such a way that required a lot of left turn to get there, which was not to be had for most pilots. There were lots of logger scores on this task. Friday Evening 7/5 - 1 taskA single task was called Friday evening and had pilots flying into the festival grounds for a MDJG. The winds were more predictable than previous nights leading to some very close scores. The task was one by Mike Nelson with a 0.10 score!
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Friday Morning 7/5 - 3 tasks
Dawn broke Friday morning with light and variable conditions again for competitors in Battle Creek, MI. A GBM, HWZ, and LRT were called near and around the airport environment. Positioned just west of the airport lies Fort Custer which is a large yellow PZ on the official map. The wind line that proved most advantageous during the launch window was impossible to take off on due to the yellow Custer PZ. Pilots had to scramble to get what they could. All tasks will be scored using loggers as no one made it close enough to throw a marker today.
Thursday Evening 7/4 - 1 task
A single HWZ task was called Thursday night in very light and variable winds. Timing was everything and those that timed it right were able to get good scores.
Thursday Morning 7/4 - 3 tasks
Competitors return this week to Battle Creek, MI for the annual Field of Flight Balloon Fest and Airshow. The multi day event will run through Sunday, and offer the best tune up for pilots going to the US Nationals later this month.
After cancellation of the practice flight Wednesday night, 4 tasks were called by director Jim Birk Thursday morning. Shifty winds and hazy conditions made for an interesting flight
Task 1 was a JDG in a familiar field south of town. The winds held fairly constant through this task and many were able to come in low and score well.
Task 2 was a JDG in a church parking lot. As balloons approached this target, winds began shifting unpredictably. The early balloons had the advantage here, but good scores were still to be had further back in the pack if you were able to time your approach with a favorable shift.
Task 3 was a HWZ with two goal options for pilots. Most went for the southern of the two options, and timing your approach in the shifting winds was crucial. Balloons on the deck near the target were at times flying drastically different directions at the same altitude.
After cancellation of the practice flight Wednesday night, 4 tasks were called by director Jim Birk Thursday morning. Shifty winds and hazy conditions made for an interesting flight
Task 1 was a JDG in a familiar field south of town. The winds held fairly constant through this task and many were able to come in low and score well.
Task 2 was a JDG in a church parking lot. As balloons approached this target, winds began shifting unpredictably. The early balloons had the advantage here, but good scores were still to be had further back in the pack if you were able to time your approach with a favorable shift.
Task 3 was a HWZ with two goal options for pilots. Most went for the southern of the two options, and timing your approach in the shifting winds was crucial. Balloons on the deck near the target were at times flying drastically different directions at the same altitude.
UPDATE - This task was thrown out because
Task 4 was a HWZ with three intersection options that were to be scored using GPS Loggers. Shifting winds plagued the field here as well, but many were still able to get very close approaches over their intersection.
Follow this space all week for recounts of the action here in BC.
Task 4 was a HWZ with three intersection options that were to be scored using GPS Loggers. Shifting winds plagued the field here as well, but many were still able to get very close approaches over their intersection.
Follow this space all week for recounts of the action here in BC.
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