Team Australia Muncie USA 2011: Wednesday to Friday

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay posting any updates, we have had some long days and a hotel thats WiFi has been less than reliable.
Wednesday saw all but Steve at the Eli Field starting our practicing. Peter Goldsmith, multiple Australian F3A international representative and now Horizon Hobby employee met Glenn and I at 8am to let us into the training field.
Glenn, James and Paul put their planes together and got some flying in. They reported that their aircraft felt a little mushy particularly in roll and as a result increased their throws slightly on the ailerons. Glenn had some problems with his engine getting quite hot so the Team Manager went on a mission to Champaign acquire a Dremel and other supplies from Home Depot (a large version of Bunnings). We put some cooling holes behind the spinner and also slightly enlarged the inlet holes in the cowl. Later that night we went to Peters house and he made some very nice depron ducts onto the engine. We also swapped out the C50-13XL for the 14XL motor that Glenn took for a spare. Peter Goldsmith knows everyone over here and at one point picked up his iPhone and said I'll ring Andrew Jesky and ask him how hot he runs his motors, his advice was 150 Fahrenheit was ok and now Glenn's motor is running around that temperature so all good now.
Steve arrived late on Wednesday afternoon.
The weather has been very hot and humid every day, around 36 to 40 degrees C so we have all been drinking about six bottles of water a day!
For the last two days the guys have all done at least eight or ten flights a day and with the help of some expert coaching from Peter all are flying really well. Peter has given the guys some fantastic advise that I'm sure will filter through to everyone in Australia including the advise of the week - chew chewing gum! Apparently it reminds your brain to breath, instead of holding your breath through those tough maneuvers resulting in not getting enough oxygen. Never will I hit the wrong rudder again.....
On Friday morning we were all invited to Horizon Hobby's for a tour. Wow what an amazing place, we went everywhere from R&D to the Warehouse and met some really great people not to mention Quique Somenzini and Mike McConville!
Tomorrow we are going to put in a few more practice flights and then drive over to Muncie. Team registration and processing is at 8.30am Sunday.

Cheers,

Jason.