Contest History
  In February 1998 the first Charles A. Mackey Open was held in Fountain Valley, California. This contest was conceived in order to honor one of the "Heros of Control Line Flying", Mr. Charles A. Mackey, for his vast contributions to our sport-hobby.
  Anyone who has read American Modeler, Model Airplane News, Model Builder or Flying Models anytime since the 1950's has seen an article written by or a model designed by Charlie Mackey. With over 60 articles published including his famous book "Pioneers of Control Line Flying" Mr. Mackey has long been a major force in Control Line Flying.
  Were it not for the efforts of heros like Charles A. Mackey many of us would not be flying today. He kept those articles and designs flowing to keep our interests in Control Line Flying high while many flyers were moving over to Radio Control. In addition to these contributions he spent 15 years of his time traveling all over the USA to interview such "Pioneers" as Oba St. Clair, Wayne Norman, F.B. Thomas, Francis Reynolds, Roy Mayes, Bob Palmer, Irwin Ohlsson, Madman Yates, Bud Jamison, Harold De Bolt, Leon Shulman, David Slagle and Bob Tucker. The results of this massive effort was then published as "Pioneers of Control Line Flying" which Mr. Mackey then proceeded to give to Pampa so that they could sell the book to raise funds.
  Since his retirement Mr. Mackey has been residing in Fallbrook, CA, designing model airplanes and combat kites, teaching his grandson to fly Control Line and painting pictures of aircraft. He can often be seen at the flying field testing a "Monster" or "Grandpa's Bipe".

 

General Contest Information
County regulations prohibit any engine runs prior to 9:00 AM!
- A pilots meeting will be held at 8:30 AM both mornings.
- Pre-registration is encouraged, however registration will be accepted at the field up to 10:00 AM on a "space available basis".
- Flight order will be determined for both rounds by lottery.
- All stunt events will be scored in the standard manner.
- Old Time and Profile 40 will be scored 0-10 with a "k factor".
- Contestants will have three attempts to make two official flights.
- Trophies awarded in each event to third place.
Special rules for Profile 40
- Any profile model (1/2" fuselage maximum width, excluding plywood or balsa nose doublers)
- Any engine maximum .40 cu in
- No "Builder of the Model" rule in effect; therefore no appearance points awarded
- No flaps bonus- 10 points
- No tuned pipe bonus- 25 points
- Modern stunt pattern scored 0-10 points per maneuver with OTS "k factor"
- Maximum of 3 attempts for 2 official flights
- Flight becomes official when the aircraft turns into the inverted part of the reverse wingover
- Score for both official flights added to determine winner

 

Banquet Information
   Many individuals have contributed a great amount to Control Line flying. It is unfortunate that we often recognize their contributions only after their deaths. It is the intent of the Charles A. Mackey Open to honor a "Pioneer of Control Line Flying" each year at our banquet.
  Mr. Charles A. Mackey, for whom this contest is named in honor of, has graciously offered to host our banquet each year. He will be choosing one individual each year whom we will honor.
  This year's honoree will be Mr. Barton Kaplinski
  The 2000 banquet will be held on Saturday evening at the Holiday Inn Orange County Airport.
  Please plan to join us and help to tell Bart how much we appreciate all of his efforts on behalf of our sport/hobby.
 

Official Contest Hotel
  The official hotel of the Second Annual Charles A. Mackey Open will be the Holiday Inn Orange County Airport, 2726 S. Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, Ca 92705.
  We have arranged a special rate of $75 per room which includes breakfast for up to 2 persons per room. The hotel is located approximately 5 miles from Mile Square Park with easy highway access. Phone numbers are as follows:
– Phone (714) 966-1955
– Fax (714) 966-1889
  Please mention the "Charles A. Mackey Open" by name when you register in order to receive the special room rate.
 

About Registration
  Last year we had 107 entries!
  We expect that number to increase in 2000. This may create a space problem if you wait to register. The flying site offers us five (5) circles. We intend to provide two (2) practice circles on Saturday and one (1) practice circle on Sunday. This means that we can not support more than 100 official flights in a 7-1/2 hour flying day. Since registration in 1999 resulted in 214 official flights over the two day period it is easy to see that we will probably exceed that number in 2000. We could have a space problem if many contestants wait until the day of the contest to register.
  For this reason we are requesting that you send in your registration early to assist us in planning the flying site for efficient usage. Your early registration will accomplish two things:
1) you will guarantee that you will be able to fly in the contest, and
2) you will save $5.00 per event.
   Please note that we will accept entries on the day of the contest up to 10:00 AM strictly on a "As Available Basis".   

Click Here for an Entry Blank you can print out
and send us for your entry...