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The 2008 United States National Aerobatic Championships

North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI), Sherman/Denison, Texas

Sunday, September 21 - Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Unlimited category has been through the mill now with three categories completed at Nationals. They flew their first Unknown today. The only other category that has flown more than one flight is Advanced, which flew their Free program in the morning.

We were at last able to post some results this morning. Congratulate Debby Rihn-Harvey, David Martin, and Zach Heffley for their placement at the top of the Unlimited Known. Vicki Cruse provisionally won the Unlimited Free with enough points to bring her from position 12 on the Known to second overall. Robert Armstrong and Hubie Tolson provisionally follow Vicki on the Free. Scores are provisional until the protest period has passed and scores certified by Contest Director, Doug Bartlett.

Results of the Unlimited Unknown were updated several times today while the pilots were flying. That's the fastest results have ever been available from Nationals so far as we know. Robert Armstrong, Hubie Tolson, and Zach Heffley are the provisional top placers.

The weather pattern was a repeat of the past two days-- morning fog lifting in time for the start of flying followed by increasing winds and fair weather cumulus well above box heights, clearing in the evening for pristine blue big sky backdrops. Wind was on-judge for the two afternoon flights and most pilots have fully adjusted to that condition.

The Advanced category, as previously noted, flew their Free program today. Known program winner Hector Ramirez won the Free program as well. The Known had Alex Land and Patrick Clark in second and third. The Free program has Robbie Gibbs and Patrick Clark in second and third. Overall Hector is one hundred points ahead of Patrick who is fifty points ahead of Alex Land. Alex is fifty points ahead of Robbie Gibbs.

The Sportsman Known has the Benham brothers Charles and Jerry at first and third with George Hendrix in-between. There are twelve competitors, and the point spread from the first to the last is less than 150. That's about the point value of one average Sportsman figure.

The Air Force competition in Glider Sportsman has Brandon Burfeind, Scott Hatter, and Hans Hilterman at the top of the order with less than 100 points separating them. There are six gliders participating in Sportsman. Glider Intermediate has one civilian among seven Air Force pilots. Paul Jennings is in second place between Phil Wilson and Andy Davis.

Selection of the Unknowns for the team category occurs when the top ten pilots each submit a figure. The jury assembles the figures into a flyable sequence and presents that back to the pilots as their Unknown.

Unlimited pilots get a well earned break on Wednesday. Intermediate will fly their Free program. Advanced will fly their Unknown. Sportsman and Primary will fly their second flights. Images of the Unknowns are posted on the results pages.

Click on a thumbnail to see an enlargement.

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by Douglas Lovell
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