A report by Chris Henry

THE EVENT

The F3A (Pattern) Masters were held this year in The Barossa Valley in SA over 4 days in Early March.

This event is the premier event for Precision Aerobatics in Australia, and is also a round of the World Cup. Usually, we have a number of the best in the world attend including the World Champion. He has attended at Albury in the past. However due to the Covid-19 issue, none were able to come this time.

In fact, the event was to have been held last year in April but was delayed for that reason. However, most of the country’s best were there with pilots from almost every state except NT. One pilot drove from Perth by himself. A 3-day trip each way. 

TCMAC was represented by Rob Hulett, flying in Advanced class and Chris Henry in F3A class. And it is certainly a long way, especially driving across the Hay plains, arriving at 3pm and doing 3 practice flights. I did sleep well that night.

THE LOCATION

We stayed in the town of Tanunda, in the heart of the Barossa Valley. A very picturesque place with grape vines on almost every available piece of ground and wineries everywhere. The flying field was only 9 minutes from our cottage, and on a ridge above a winery.

The field is owned by the original winery owner who is into ultralight flying and has a hanger for his plane. We were able to leave our models there at night which saved a lot of time with rigging each day. The club has great infrastructure, nice clubhouse with a good kitchen area for catering, toilet and shade area with grape vines around it. 

I had a good look at the solar power setup which powers the on-filed charging station, the fridge, computers etc. Very simple and a good model to emulate.

The strip is grass, but is mown and watered almost every day, producing a near bowling green surface. Easy take-offs and landings. Except where the jets take off, there are some burnt patches.

The only problem with the field was being on a ridge at the end of a valley means quite a lot of turbulence when low to the ground. And while the weather was nice, most days were calm in the morning with very strong winds in the afternoons, or vice-versa. I even landed from one flight at over half throttle. Made for some interesting flights.

Dinner was at various places. There are plenty of eateries in the valley. We tried the 1950s diner one night. Quite good, with photo opp. with Elvis, of course. The event dinner and AGM were held at the Lyndoch Hill Estate winery. Quite excellent meal and service.

Some guys even bought some wine. Imagine that. Including Norm purchasing a couple of $500 bottles of port for his brother and daughter. And Phill bought a 1945 port for $10,000. Yes, really.

THE FLYING

Rob had a problem with his plane, blowing up his speedie on a practice flight, and competing with his new plane that he only had for 2 weeks. He flew well, but the plane needs some trimming yet.

I few well too, with only around 10% difference in the scores between all of the F3A class fliers and even managed to score an equal highest score in one round. The plane performed perfectly, and I really enjoyed the event, with my favourite caller, Ralphie from Tassie. Great fun and banter during the flights.

Overall, a great event. Good to see lots of friend we haven’t been able to see for so long, and for the guys from Melbourne to attend too. They only had a few days of notice that they would be able to cross to SA. The atmosphere is what really makes these events, and at times it was very relaxed, but also could be very intense when the guy flying before you does a good flight.

Only one real loss, when Normies plane appeared to “go off the air” or perhaps he was a bit disoriented while flying too far out. Either way, it speared in at full power from 600 feet, into a vineyard. Nothing left. Oh, well only a $12,000 plane (maybe he can console himself with a $500.00 bottle of Port, ed). But considering the 400 odd flights over the event and practice, that’s pretty good.

The next Masters will be held in Casino in Northern NSW, and will be a practice for the committee who will be running the World Champs in Australia in 2023. That will be great to see.