Tuesday, August 10

Due to some emailing difficulties, Mike hasn't been able to update the website. Here is a quick update...

The Telex Pitts arrived Saturday, July 31 safe and sound at AWAC headquarters at the Ljungbyhed Airport several hours before Mike arrived. By Sunday night, the pitts was together and test flown without flaw. You'll have to ask Mike about the fireworks spectacle he made with his electric drill. (220 volts!)

Despite some marginal weather a couple days, Mike was able to get quite a few practice flights in before opening ceremonies on Thursday night. Thursday morning, Mike did some aerial photo work for a local photographer who runs a website and magazine. www.hobby.se Hopefully, we should be getting a copy of those pictures soon.

The weather for the competition has been beautiful! (mild wind, 75-80 degrees and sunny). The Q-flight started Friday morning and was wrapped up by Saturday night. The Q-flight is a known program in which everyone has practiced the same program. The Q is used to set up placement for the free programs. The free programs are programs which have been created by each individual competitor and have also been heavily practiced. The free programs just finished up last night, August 9. This morning, the unknowns programs started and will continue until Friday. Unknowns explained below.

Note from Mike:

Thank you Nick for helping with the Messages form Sweden.

I have learned a few things here in Sweden that has made it difficult to keep in touch.

1. AOL does not work in Sweden. I can receive messages, but I cannot send messages. Sorry.

2. It is impossible to call collect from Sweden to the USA
(Sorry honey, I love you).

3. Ice water? What's ice water.

As of today (Tuesday), I am 85 points out of first place. Very recoverable position. Now we are entering the "unknown" part of the competition. That is where a flight is created by the countries participating. Each country introduces a maneuver (13 maneuvers in all) and without practice, you must complete all the maneuvers (flawlessly) and remain in the box regardless of wind drift. This is my favorite part of the contest and I hope to chisel away at those 85 points.

Back to watching the competition!

Thanks Nick.

Michael