The NOIC as it is now know, was first run in 2004 as a joint venture between the Sault Ste Marie Flying Club and the Cambrian RC Flyers. Contest directors for this annual event are Craig Knight from the Sault, and Lee Prevost from the Cambrian club.
This was the first model aerobatic competition using IMAC rules ever run in Northern Ontario, and it is now one of the “must attend” events on the IMAC circuit for not only Ontario, but the North Central IMAC zone as well.
This year was the 5th NOIC in so many years (last year we of course hosted the Nationals which don’t count!), and while our numbers (17 pilots) was down, the joy and enthusiasm of those who attended was, as usual UP!
People started coming in on Wednesday which was a sunny day…and then the rains came! Thursday and Friday were a wash out for practice, much to the chagrin of all who came early. Lucky for us Saturday was overcast but no rain, and after a soggy set up, pilots were in the air by 9:30am.
Classes consisted of mostly Basic and Advanced, with only one pilot in Intermediate and Unlimited and four in Sportsman. We used only one flight line, and barring a 20 minute rain delay, we managed to fly three rounds of Basic and two rounds of everything else.
Dinner at a local restaurant was very well attended but poorly serviced (something about a big conference in town—they even ran out of garlic for the salads!!!!) but we had great conversation and everyone eventually ate, and some even practiced their unknowns while they waited!
Sunday was supposed to get sunny by the afternoon, but it stayed very cool and overcast. Undaunted, we flew the Unknowns and one round of Knowns for all classes. Winners are posted on www.scaleaerobatics.ca and pics are on that site as well as www.cambrianrcflyers.ca
We were treated to some very special helicopter demos by Colin Bell who was competing in Sportsman class. He recently placed 4th at the XFC in helicopters and needless to say what he can do with a chopper defies physics. In a word “holycatfishbatman!!!” Our Unlimited pilot Don McLellan did a great job in a freestyle routine with his 40% Aeroworks Extra 260, and both pilots were warmly applauded for their efforts.
Great thanks go to our perennial sponsors Apex Business Solutions (flat panel display), SmartFly (for their wonderful products), Isabella Clockworks (for two nice clocks) , and MAAC who provided great prizes for everyone. Pilots from 1st to 3rd place got beautiful plaques for their efforts, and a warm round of applause to the Cambrian RC Flying Club for hosting the event was given by all present.
So another NOIC in the books. Next year we should be back in our regular slot (August long weekend) and who knows, maybe in the Sault at their new field!