Tucson Aerobatic Shootout 2009

CARF Teampilot Chris Brislin from Australia did a pretty good job at the 2009 Shootout. Read a short report from his father Norm here:

"The Tucson Aerobatic Shootout sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) took place over 5 days from the 7^th to the 11^th October 2009 at the Tucson International Modelplex Park (TIMPA) in Tucson Arizona. TAS is a world-class event attended by top class pilots from Austria, Germany, Canada, UK, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand to name just a few. Chris Brislin from Australia was invited to fly his Composite-ARF 3M 260 powered by the DA170 with KS95 canisters in the Invitational Class IMAC and the 4 Minute Freestyle Class.

Chris’s Extra 260 3M in his custom “Star Scheme Lime Green/Black/White“ colours certainly attracted plenty of attention for it’s unusual scheme, lightweight 36lb build and use of the JR high voltage servos and receiver. Competition at Invitational Level is fierce with consistency in flight being of great importance. A zero on any maneuver can cost multiple places. A different Unknown is handed out to the pilots each morning for them to fly in the afternoon and only the top ten pilots at the end of Saturday fly in the finals on the Sunday. Chris flew consistently well and finished 4th in IMAC.

The Freestyle Event was flown on Saturday and Sunday well attended by members of the public, press and Tucson commercial TV stations. After the first round Chris was in second position 2 points behind Gernot Bruckmann from Austria. After the second round Chris was in first position ahead of Gernot by 11.5 points. Chris was scheduled to fly the final round of freestyle before Gernot and realized that to have a chance of winning he had to “give it all”. Unfortunately 3 minutes into the performance Chris touched the ground inverted with the rudder and crashed! Final Result – Chris Brislin 2nd by 1.8 points.

A great 5 day event – a must to attend if you ever get the opportunity."

Watch Chris's breathtaking freestyle flight here on Youtube: Chris Brislin Freestyle TAS 09