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ASC, PO Box 589, Marshall, MI  49068    phone 269-781-4021   fax 904-339-9275  email kimojim@aol.com

ASC Nationals and ASC Convention 2000, the BIG SHOW!

The tenth in a continuing series of national caliber ultralight championship events was held this past Labor Day weekend at Marshall, Michigan. It was the 6th National competition on this site. The ASC Convention for 2000 was indeed a very BIG SHOW. The event is the national meeting and fly in for the Aero Sports Connection. This gathering is a marvelous combination of competition, forums, presentations, discussions, and camaraderie.

To give some scope to the size of the event, there were over 14,000 spectators and over 400 planes there during the four day gathering. Flying space included five active runways, covering general aviation, glider towing, powered parachutes, powered paragliders and two fixed wing runways. The feeling of excitement in the air, when so many aircraft congregate, is thrilling, yet, not scary. Every pilot knows that patterns are important, and safety comes first. Still, the electric feeling of seeing so many different aircraft in the air at once, makes everyone realize that we are all "kindred in flight". From the fastest, sleekest trike to the slowest, most maneuverable, powered parachute, they danced in the air all day, each day, to the excitement of all present.

The competition events are focused in three areas which include: Gun slinging, manufacturers show cases, and National events for both Powered Parachutes and Fixed Wing vehicles. Every year brings new and different vehicles and people together to compete.

Gun slinging brings its own form of challenge match. The key players all know that the best are not just winners, but winners with staying power. Although the "head games" of delay and positioning are all part of it, in the end, shear skill and endurance defines the leaders. In Gun slinging, the goal is to challenge the leader, win, and then hold on to the lead as long as possible.

The national honors where also hard fought. Dave Ahlberg was the overall winner in the open class of competition. Dave is the pilot flying under the Boyer Flight Park Flight Team. He took first in spot landing, forth in the cross-country task, first in the 1 1/2 Gallon out and back, and First in the pylon race. dave Coppernoll, last years Open champion and a Boyer Flight Park team member, took first in the Gun Slinging Event.    Now known as the "Nathanael J. Halsmer Top Gun Award - Gun Slinging".

This is the kind of excitement that happens every year at the ASC Nationals! Next year promises to be even better, yet!

Here is an overview of the patterns.  At times there were effectively 9 active runways!  Five are clearly shown here.

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Last updated: December 05, 2008.