Category Archives: Aviation

Great American Air Race – “UNBELIEVABLE!”

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Air Race-1April 29: By Dan Kreigh. For the stock race, normally eight planes IS a crowded field. We had FIFTEEN race planes!!! It sounded like a heard of confused mosquitoes feeling their way around the pylons. We had six P-51s, six T-28s, one P-40, one Duet and one Champ. The Brian Min’s Duet was the only thrust vectored controlled entry using two propellers. (I think it hit the pylon) Veteran race pilot Stan Hinman handedly won the Gold Stock Race with an early P-51 model.

Air Race-2The Unlimited race was equally chaotic insane shear–pandemonium impressive!!  These were the reckless fast boys!!  Racers ran the gambit which included fearless IFO’s, THREE ducted fan jets, an Icon, a Stryker, T-28’s …..and misc…. In the end, rookie Colin Bowman took the Gold Unlimited with his micro Habu ducted fan jet with some smooth precise flying.  But there are reported rumors that there are some pretty fast planes in the works ….so savor your victory while you can Colin…..

Air Race-3Last but not least, the combat round took a dubious turn when IFO piloted by Mason Hutchison snagged and drug two models behind it.  Mason had a regular streamer and a second “legal” mylar streamer.  But the un-cutable mylar streamer tangled in the props of two hapless models pulling them along like flies stuck to fly paper.  Interesting strategy Mason….  With three models stuck together as one, Mason got the most points and won the first Combat round!  Below, Mason’s black IFO is pictured dragging Jeromy’s IFO and Elliot’s P-51 around….  Also shown is Shalom Johnson’s Icon model in the combat mix.

Each winner gets a perpetual trophy that is handed from winner to winner with the new winner’s name on it.  A record of the past winners is also recorded on the trophies. Congratulations to Stan Hinman, Colin Bowman, Mason Hutchison and Erik Lassen (for being brave enough to enter the only Champ). More Pictures and Videos can be seen at:
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Next Race, Friday May 16th, at the Mojave Airport on Byers’ road, (behind the Sheriff station), 9:00 break!!

Mojave Fly-In Attracts Worldwide Attention

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Fly-in racerApril 19-20: Over 1,500 people and 500 planes descended on the Mojave Air & Space Port this Saturday and Sunday to participate in what organizers are calling one of the most unique events in Aviation history. The Mojave Experimental Fly-In (click here for link) featured nine speed record attempts, an awards dinner, and planes from all over the world flying in to participate. Seven new speed records were set by five separate airplanes. “There have never been more records set by more airplanes at any event in the history of aviation record setting.” Says event organizer, Elliot Seguin.

Fly-in planeThe purpose of the event was to highlight and promote experimental aviators, an the unique place Mojave holds as a mecca for home-builders and innovation. “The last renaissance of experimental aviation was spearheaded by Burt Rutan in Mojave during the 80’s” says Seguin, a senior Scaled Composites engineer, “I believe we are seeing the dawn of another renaissance.” Mojave is uniquely positioned to attract this type of testing and building, and the Mojave Air & Space Port relies on the engineers and enthusiasts to continue pushing the limits here as much as the experimental pilots and designers rely on Mojave to keep the culture of innovation fresh and relevant.

The core of the event is Cathy Hansen’s Plane Crazy Saturday, which is a monthly event put on by the Mojave Transportation Museum (click here for link). The fly-in hopes to be an annual outgrowth of plane crazy Saturday and was originally designed by local Mojave residents, Seguin and Hansen, to help Mojave companies like Scaled Composites find engineers.

The Awards Dinner featured 150 guests, and featured local rock band “Shame and Glory”, as well as NASA Flight Director & Kittplanes Editor, Paul Dye, who spoke about taking risks in flight testing. Five individuals were recognized during the dinner for their contributions to flight testing, building, designing and experimentation.

For more information, pictures, a list of records, and video of Tom Aberle’s 3km speed record attempt, visit the Mojave Experamental Fly-In website at http://www.MojaveFlyIn.com.