THE NEW PRO-AM CLASS

The ProAm class is a new addition to Top Gun and is similar to what other contests call ‘Fun Scale’. Since there is no “builder of the model” rule as in the other classes, there is obviously no static judging. All that’s needed in order to get the 25 static points is a picture of the full-scale subject to prove that the color scheme is correct. Without the “builder of the model” rule, pilots can buy, loan, rent or build their entry, making it a ‘flying skills only’ contest.

With 37 pilots in the mix, the first three rounds were flown to whittle the field down to the top 15 pilots, who then competed in the fourth and final round on Sunday. The class proved a huge success, and I am sure this will be a recurring tradition at Top Gun from now on.

The name ProAm implies that pros will compete with amateurs, opening it up to planes that previously have competed in Top Gun yet because of the three-year rule are no longer allowed to compete. (A plane can only be invited back for three years in order to ensure that new and interesting planes show up all the time.) Last year's Mr. Top Gun winner Jeff Foley didn't finish his new entry for 2004 and opted to compete in ProAm; he out-flew the competition and took first place.

Flight maneuver planning is a big part of the experienced scale modeler’s bag of tricks. A good scale modeler will not only perfect each maneuver, he will also work each maneuver into a cohesive flight routine. Judges at Top Gun can see when a pilot has worked his flight into a solid routine and reward him for doing so.

Kalvin Lim posing with his Mig-15. Kalvin is from Singapore and also won the “Best Buns” award. This award is presented by an all-female panel.

Like static scoring, the flight score begins at a perfect 100 and the judges make deductions according to the performance of maneuvers throughout the flight to arrive at the final flight score for each round. Again, a glance at the scoring sheet will demonstrate the high caliber of flying skills at the contest. Ramon Torres received the highest flight score from the Master and Expert class, for his performance with a twin engine Beech Baron. His average score of 94.458 is very difficult to achieve and demonstrates the type of flying that is customary at this prestigious event.