Douglas LovellSite of the Green Mountain Aerobatic Challenge

Douglas LovellGrant Russell bringing home the Model 12

Douglas LovellRob Marsicano and John Fellenzer in Champion Flight

Chapter 52 went on a timber harvest in the Green Mountains for the weekend of July 10-12. Jay Tesauro felled second place in Primary. Aaron Ham, Grant Russell and Scott Jordan sawed out first, second and third in Sportsman. John Fellenzer buzz cut first Intermediate, Dan Tourgee second and Kirrill Barsukov third flying his beautiful red and yellow big radial Yak. Sergey Prolagayev, Doug Lovell, and Ron Chadwick chopped-out first through third in Advanced. Dennie Thompson cleaned up with Kendal Simpson in Unlimited, bringing home first and third.

Fifty-two came home with twelve out of fifteen placings at the contest. In Sportsman through Unlimited all but one placing went home with Chapter 52.

The contest had thirty-one competitors, fourteen from fifty-two. Jay was our sole representative in a field of four Primary competitors. Aaron, Grant, and Scott faced-off together with Bob Sabbatino against six Chapter 35 pilots in Sportsman. John, Dan, and Kirill were the sole fifty-two's in a field of ten Intermediate. Rob Marsicano flew the Advanced category to complete the field of four. Dennie and Kendal were joined by thirty-five's Robert Cipolli in Unlimited. Laurie Zaleski and Miriam Levin cheered us on and supported contest operations.

The Unlimited pilots treated us to a four minute free program in which Kendal, Robert, and Dennie placed first, second, and third.

The fifty-two company frequency enjoyed happy chatter as our various two, three and five ship formations, and solo pilots made our way south to home bases.

The Green Mountains provide a beautiful setting for a contest and Chapter 35 were gracious and sporting hosts. The whole contest from Thursday practice to Sunday Freestyles were enjoyed utmost by all who participated thanks to cooperating weather, conscientious organization, high spirits, and comradery. Thirty-five put on a great event, perfect for aerobatics. Our Springfield hosts welcomed us and more than tolerated our weekend invasion. The Chamber of Commerce organized a Saturday morning pancake breakfast with fresh strawberries, blueberries, pinapple, melon, Vermont maple syrup, juice and coffee that could not be beat anywhere within four counties.