SEN 3308
- The 2025 FAI Southwest Regionals Model Airplane Championships
- Jim Hurst, well known SoCal Free Flighter
- Mini Neuron Upgrade
The 2025 FAI Southwest Regionals Model Airplane Championships
From: Mike Fruciano
The Southwest Regionals celebrated the 75th anniversary of the event, making it one of the longest running events in Free Flight. Free Flight flyers and enthusiast came from several countries and across the United States to enjoy the event held on January 18-19 on Webster Field in Eloy, Arizona.
The Saturday competition began on cool mornings with temperatures in the low 30’s Fahrenheit and light breezes from the SSE at 5-6 MPH. Buoyant air persisted as the first rounds started at 8:30 AM and flyers were achieving maxes. Full sun and blue skies persisted throughout the day and temperatures rose to a high of 64 F and light winds clocked around to the typical NNW direction for the later rounds and fly offs. Models were easily retrieved by foot, bicycle and motorbikes. Sunday’s weather was very similar to Saturday with the addition of some high, thin clouds.
Saturday’s competition included F1A, F1B, F1C/P and F1Q events. The cool morning temperatures led to hot competition, especially in the F1A class with 15 competitors. The USA Junior Team had an excellent showing in F1A led by John Mah-Gersting (First Place Overall, First Place Junior) and Aarna Appajappa (Third Place Overall, Second Place Junior). Shlomi Rosenzweig finished Second Overall in F1A.
Sunday’s FAI competition started at a chilly 8:30 AM and included F1G, F1H,F1J and F1H classes. The air warmed up quickly again and flyers posted maxes well into the 4th Round when the air became tricky with frequent shifts and small thermals. F1S competition was tight with 10 competitors and 3 lady fliers. Frank Menano squeaked out a win in F1S by 2 seconds over Janne Van Nest in second place and local flyer Jennifer Donnelly in third place.
Complete scoring for all classes along with photos can be found on www.swregionals.org
Many thanks to the men and women that have been a part of the Southwest Regionals over the last 75 years! And a special thank you to Peter and Brigette Brocks for the support along with the rest of the Southwest Regionals board of directors!
Mike Fruciano
FAI Contest Director
RESULTS 2024 ARIZONA FAI CHAMPIONSHIPS
DECEMBER 7, 8 at ELOY, ARIZONA
Peter Brocks, CD
F1A 1 2 3 4 5 F/O F/O F/O F/O Total
1 Jim Farmer 180 180 180 180 180 360 480 600 627 2967
2 Shlomi Rosenzweig 180 180 180 180 180 360 480 600 430 2770
3 Jasminka Pecenkovi 180 180 180 180 180 360 232 1492
4 Enes Pecenkovic 180 180 180 180 180 268 1168
5 Andrew Barron 180 180 180 127 180 847
6 Peter Brocks 0 180 180 54 180 594
7 Peter Allnutt 0 2 DNF DNF DNF 2
F1B 1 2 3 4 5 Total
1 Alex Andriukov 180 180 180 180 180 900
F1Q 1 2 3 4 To
1 Jack Murphy 180 180 180 180 180 900
F1G 1 2 3 4 5 Total
1 Peter Brocks 120 120 120 120 120 600
2 Mike Fruciano DNF 93 120 61 120 394
3 George Morris 120 53 59 32 DNF 264
4 Shig Saimo DNF DNF DNF 40 DNF 40
F1S 1 2 3 4 5 F/O Total
1 Jennifer Donnelly 120 120 120 120 120 120 720
2 Jack Murphy 120 120 120 120 120 104 704
NO FLIERS IN F1C/P, F1H AND F1J
Jim Hurst, well known SoCal Free Flighter
From: Ted Hidinger
To SEN
Roger,
I just received word Jim Hurst has passed away. Jim suffered a stroke a couple of weeks ago on a Thursday evening, when I went to see him the following Monday he seemed to be doing better, we had a great visit, the doctors were talking about having him moved to a rehab facility. As the days went by I checked in with his brother every day, it seems he had good and bad days, it seems he had a real bad day this Friday, today (Saturday) his brother informed me he passed around 4:00 PM. As I find out more about Jim’s funeral arrangements, I will put the information out here for those of you who might want to attend. RIP my friend Jim!
Mini Neuron Upgrade
From: Frederic Aberlenc
Dear friends
Some flyers had problem during the update of MiniNeurone in Lost Hills. We are working on this problem. During this time, please dont update them, you can fly with the old firmware. Just ignore the message asking you to update.
We really apologise for this situation and we will keep you informed asap.
Best regards
Frédéric ABERLENC
FLYING NEURONS
Europarc de Pichaury (Batiment C2 NIDAIX)
1330 Rue Jean René Guillibert Gauthier de la Lauziere
Les Milles
13290 Aix-en-Provence
Mob: (33) (0) 6 86 56 69 97
www.flyingneurons.com
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Roger Morrell