This is the pin for the 2024 Top Gun Challenge. All contestants coming will get one. Dave FItzgerald, Chris Cox and Howard Rush
The Las Vegas Circle Burners are holding their 7th Annual Top Gun Challenge Oct. 31st to Nov. 3rd . This contest has grown to be one of the best in the West coast. It is a very well run contest and lots of fun. We have a good turn out of 40 entries or more from all over the USA and Canada. Some even say it's like a mini Nats. The Air field is still at Bennett field 6800 E. Russell rd. There is plenty of Parking ,toilets on site and even electric to charge your batteries. The R/C club comes out and serves food Friday ,sat and sun. The schedule On Thursday Oct. 31st two circles are open all day for Practice. On Friday Nov.1st Old time Classic and Super 70's Then on Sat is Pampa stunt two flights one on each circle with 4 judges. Sunday is Pampa stunt part two with two flights again, one on each circle. the best score from circle one and circle two are added together to make a final score. The top Gun winner gets the Perpetual award. In Expert Stunt Awards to 9th place. Advance 3 awards , Old time 3 awards , Classic 3 awards and super 70's 3 awards . Beginner and Intermediate fly free in Pampa stunt. Special awards for Classic ,Super 70's and Pampa best plane..Beverages water and soda are free all 4 days. Raffle Drawing Sat at field. Pizza Party at the MacBride's home Sat Nov 2nd at 5:30 . All are invited. Builder of the model rules apply. Pampa Apperance judging Friday Nov 2nd 2PM at field.Beautiful awards for this years contest They light up.
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6th Annual Top Gun Challenge Report
Nov. 2nd to the 5th
The event was held once again at the William Bennett air field. The R/c runway is only 100 feet wide so ¾ of it is on asphalt and the rest is over grass. Steven cuts the grass like a putting green so the planes won’t tip over should they roll onto it. The weather for 4 days could not have been better. 5 MPH wind and temperature in the 70’s. We ran Old time stunt , Classic stunt and Super 70’s on Friday. Then on Sat. & Sun. was Pampa stunt. Two flights each day switching circles each flight. After the 4 flights are completed the low score from each circle is removed and the two high scores are added to make a final score. In Pampa stunt we had 25 flyers flying two flights each day. We had so many of the best stunt pilots attending this contest. They came from Canada, Tenn. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Washington State, Florida, and Cal. Dave Fitzgerald a 2023 Nats Champion was back to defend his top gun title. He was able to win the Top gun Best of the Best perpetual award by beating Chris Cox by just a half point. Mike Londke from Tenn. Won Advance by beating Page Peterson by just a point and a half. The awards ceremony by Steven was done with back ground music from the Top Gun Movie. The plaques were 8 x 10 cherry wood and engraving done by Howard Rush. The Las Vegas Radio control; club once again came out to support the event by serving food all three days. This is what really put our contest as one of the best to attend. Everything is covered from smooth flying surface to onsite bathrooms water and soda free , Electric to charge batteries and the food service.
Many thanks to everyone who came out to help , Judges , Pit boses, runners ,and tabulators. A special thanks to Rick Green and Mike Londke for help with setting up the site each day.
Winners:
Old Time stunt:
1st Jim Hoffman
2nd John Wright
3rd Keith Trostle
Classic Stunt:
1st Steve Harris
2nd Dennis Nunes
3rd Keith Trostle
Super 70’s:
1st Steven MacBride
2nd Steve Minchella
3rd John Wright
Pampa stunt Beginner:
1st Joe Motta
Pampa stunt Intermediate:
1st Steve Minchella
Pampa Stunt Advance:
1st Mike Londke
2nd Page Peterson
3rd Roger Kramar
Pampa Stunt Expert:
1st Dave Fitzgerald
2nd Chris Cox
3rd.Howard Rush
4th Steve Harris
5th kestas Dvarvydis
6th Dennis Nunes
7th Tim Just
8th Jim Hoffman
9th John Callentine
We also gave out special awards:
Best appearance award in Pampa went to Kestas Dvarvydis
Best appearance award in Classic went to Steve Harris
Best appearance award in Super 70’s went to Steven MacBride
The Top Gun award Best of the Best went to Dave Fitzgerald
Report done by Reuben MacBride
The pictures were taken By Mike Londke
Nov. 2nd to the 5th
The event was held once again at the William Bennett air field. The R/c runway is only 100 feet wide so ¾ of it is on asphalt and the rest is over grass. Steven cuts the grass like a putting green so the planes won’t tip over should they roll onto it. The weather for 4 days could not have been better. 5 MPH wind and temperature in the 70’s. We ran Old time stunt , Classic stunt and Super 70’s on Friday. Then on Sat. & Sun. was Pampa stunt. Two flights each day switching circles each flight. After the 4 flights are completed the low score from each circle is removed and the two high scores are added to make a final score. In Pampa stunt we had 25 flyers flying two flights each day. We had so many of the best stunt pilots attending this contest. They came from Canada, Tenn. Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Washington State, Florida, and Cal. Dave Fitzgerald a 2023 Nats Champion was back to defend his top gun title. He was able to win the Top gun Best of the Best perpetual award by beating Chris Cox by just a half point. Mike Londke from Tenn. Won Advance by beating Page Peterson by just a point and a half. The awards ceremony by Steven was done with back ground music from the Top Gun Movie. The plaques were 8 x 10 cherry wood and engraving done by Howard Rush. The Las Vegas Radio control; club once again came out to support the event by serving food all three days. This is what really put our contest as one of the best to attend. Everything is covered from smooth flying surface to onsite bathrooms water and soda free , Electric to charge batteries and the food service.
Many thanks to everyone who came out to help , Judges , Pit boses, runners ,and tabulators. A special thanks to Rick Green and Mike Londke for help with setting up the site each day.
Winners:
Old Time stunt:
1st Jim Hoffman
2nd John Wright
3rd Keith Trostle
Classic Stunt:
1st Steve Harris
2nd Dennis Nunes
3rd Keith Trostle
Super 70’s:
1st Steven MacBride
2nd Steve Minchella
3rd John Wright
Pampa stunt Beginner:
1st Joe Motta
Pampa stunt Intermediate:
1st Steve Minchella
Pampa Stunt Advance:
1st Mike Londke
2nd Page Peterson
3rd Roger Kramar
Pampa Stunt Expert:
1st Dave Fitzgerald
2nd Chris Cox
3rd.Howard Rush
4th Steve Harris
5th kestas Dvarvydis
6th Dennis Nunes
7th Tim Just
8th Jim Hoffman
9th John Callentine
We also gave out special awards:
Best appearance award in Pampa went to Kestas Dvarvydis
Best appearance award in Classic went to Steve Harris
Best appearance award in Super 70’s went to Steven MacBride
The Top Gun award Best of the Best went to Dave Fitzgerald
Report done by Reuben MacBride
The pictures were taken By Mike Londke
Contest report 2023
This is the Beautiful Plaques made by Howard Rush to be given out this year.
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Perpetual trophy for top Gun Winner
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Jan. issue of Model Aeronautics article by VP Dist. 10 Greg Stone.
The newly repaived runway has two 160 ft Diam circles that are 3/4 on asphalt. ,1/4 is on very low cut grass. This is a pilots choice to land on the runway or grass. This site is the Home of William Bennett tounament of Champions. RV parking and toilets on site. Plenty of parking. Hotels near by and a perfect place to entertain the family. Pizza Party at the MacBrides house Sat. Night to all flyers and family.
Steven's 2nd Patriot, He won 2nd in Pampa Advance and 3rd in Classic
Rick Green with a beautiful Cavalier. won 4th in advance and 6th in Classic. Was a new plane with not too many flights.
MacBride family help Heidi , Sandy, Reuben, and Christopher all did a fantastic job.
Flying site is a 600x 600 ft parking lot next to IKEA. Fully insured by AMA and smooth surface with no trees or Building to defer wind. A don't miss contest .( Update) 2023 they are building Ashley's store there now.But we now have a great flying site at William Bennett field.See circles about pictures .
Group picture ,A special thanks to Larry Marx who took all the pictures shown.
Pilots meeting by CD Steven MacBride. What a beautiful weekend it was.
Steven CD of contest awarding Christopher Mundell 1st place in Beginner and Best Jr. award
Christopher Mundell my Grandson and Secretary of club Graduated HS June 2021.
Col. Tom McClain won 3rd in Advance and 7th in Classic. Lou Wolgast holding plane .
A look at the site with planes lined up in the pit area.
Gary Gingerich has attended all 3 past events, He won 1st Place in Advance and 4th in Classic.
Bob Harness and his wife had a great time in Vegas. Bob loved the Rampart resort Hotel for a great price of just $69.00 a Night.
Dane Martin, Don Ballante,Dennis Osborn, Joey Mathison
Kevin Came from California and flew in our contest. Dan was our Pitt boss and did a terrific job.
I Remember these they used to run on fuel. Jose Modesto brought an electric take apart from NY. won 3rd place in Expert.
What a site to hold a contest. 600 x 600 feet of smooth paved lot with no trees or Buildings to defer the wind.
Awards were made by RSM What a fabulose place to hold a contest.
Awards were made by RSM. Best part is they add win tags on for all your wins and it takes up less room to show off.
The Rampart Marriott Resort is a 5 star hotel with balconies ,hot tubes and over size rooms. full access to spa gym and Valet parking. Plenty of food courts in the attached Casino.. Bring the wife and family for a great weekend in Vegas. Below is a picture of the room. Not bad for $69.00 a night. :)
Rampart Marriott Hotel is a 5 star resort for only $69.00 a night reserve early only 10 rooms at that special rate.
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AMA Flying site Blog How the flying site at Bennett field was obtained.
http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/flyingsiteassistance/2014/05/17/180/
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Las Vegas Circle Burners new field
Las Vegas Circle Burners (LVCB), Nevada’s newest model airplane club, has just opened a new flying circle. Many of us who have traveled to fabulous Las Vegas think of only the famed Strip – the hotels, shows and gambling. But there is a beautiful flying site right here at Bennett field. This flying site was paid for by Bill Bennett for the R/C Tournament of Champions. Bill Bennett was one of the richest men in the world and he also enjoyed model planes and helicopters. He was once the owner of Circus Circus and Sahara Hotel and Casino. Bill also owned a hobby shop called Circus Hobbies. In 2006 Bill Bennett was inducted into the Academy of Model Aircraft Hall of Fame and a plaque was presented to his friend Donny Weitz at SuperFly V., the all-electric fun fly. When Bill died in 2002 the field was turned over to the Clark County Parks Department. A biography of Mr. Bennett called “The Forgotten Man” was published in 2010.
Bennett Field Las Vegas is a city with a large population of radio control flyers and mostly R/C clubs. Modelers who fly control line are a minority who are scattered around the city with no permanent home or organized affiliation.
Enter the Las Vegas Circle Burners. Reuben and Steve MacBride, two AMA members who relocated to Las Vegas from New Jersey, founded LVCB. Back in northern NJ this father & son proudly flew their control line planes and actively participated in every aspect of control line and model aviation which included being long-time members of the Garden State Circle Burners, flying in and placing in championship contests, organizing, directing and judging contests and more. It wasn’t easy to give up an active control line life for one much lower key in their new city. The Las Vegas Circle Burners formed in June 2011 and has quickly grown to have 50 members. Interest in their club, as well as in flying control line, is growing and hopefully this newly formed club can continue to promote this activity and increase the number of control line enthusiasts in Las Vegas. For more information about this club, contact their treasurer at Tubeman5@aol.com http://lasvegascircleburners.weebly.com/ Acquiring a flying site in Clark County, Nevada wasn’t easy. The first person Reuben contacted was the district ten Associate Vice President, Greg Clemensen. He suggested a few different places to fly control line planes but he did not know of a control line club in the area. One location was a desert lakebed, which was very dry and dusty. Another place was Lake Mead Recreation Park, which is a paved parking lot but not very close to home. With the high price of gas the travel cost would be a real problem. Greg mentioned a radio control club near by. Reuben and his son joined their club and started to fly planes on the 100 x 700 foot R/C runway. Sharing this runway especially on a weekend meant that while they flew, the runway was closed to R/C planes. To get in an eight-minute flight they had to wait their turn. An average time was one flight per hour. The control line flyers soon noticed an area west of the runway that was large enough to fly control line and not interfere with the r/c runway. The problem was an existing fence that was in the way and needed to be removed to make a single circle on the grass. Reuben And Steven approached the R/C club officers and asked if they could help them to speak with the County Parks Dept. to turn that area into a control line circle. The R/C club manages the park to assure it complies with all AMA safety rules and regulations. A request was put in and two years later the existing fence was removed and a new fenced in area was added for control line. The control line flyers are grateful to the Las Vegas Radio Control Club for promoting model aviation and expanding their site to accommodate control line. The Clark County Parks Dept. also did a beautiful job making a safe site. Parks dept. removal of fence. Danny Garcia photo
Adding new fence around complete circle. Danny Garcia photo Danny Garcia and Steve MacBride, President of LVCB, during training day at new circle Club members relaxing in the shade
Reuben Holding Ringmaster during Ringathon event
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Control-line/114972905186718
Read and Learn about all types of Control line flying.
Greg Clemensen AMA Associate Vice President Dist. 10 , awarding Steven MacBride President of LVCB Gold Leader Club award at meeting on Feb 25th, 2013 at the North Las Vegas Airport Meeting.
August 2023 Parks dept. putting in control line take off strip.
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Field has safety fence all around. Nice grass, you can see where old fence was removed to the right.
Fence being removed to make the circle complete. Sept. 2012 :)
Danny Garcia on Training day. Steve MacBride on Buddy safety thong. Notice extra long so Steve can put it around his hand. Beautiful mountain background, and R/c runway behind.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aecA2iY-qos&feature=youtu.be
Bill & Steve hard at work prepairing circle for cement. 2-10-2013
Vintage Stunt Contest 2012 in Tucson Az. Reuben & Steve getting Nobler Started for flight. There was 70 entries in Classic.
Reuben flying in VSC at Tucson AZ. Notice the beautiful flying site they have. 3 Paved circles and 3 grass circles. A great contest to go to and I had a great time.
Skips scratch built Ares, Skip also fly's Radio control and is an expert at R/C speed boat racing.
Bill Ervin Beautiful painted Cobra.
Bill is an expert Builder and flyer.
He quoted if it has wings he can fly it.
R/C planes, electric and indoor flying he enjoys beside control line.
Steven & Reuben on Ringathon Day.
Joey Mathison & Charles with Baby Ringmaster
Larry Marx club trainner showing how to fly control line. We have the Buddy cord, and the planes to teach anyone interested in flying control line. Unlike radio you get to feel the plane and make all the turns by ucontroling it. Very exciting way to fly.
Joey Mathison Holds AMA Jet speed records. His planes have been clocked doing over 200MPH. Yes he spins in a circle at that speed.
Members of club from left to right
Reuben MacBride, Wayne McGartlin, Greg Clemensen ,Anita Rost, Mike Rost
Joey Mathison, Steve MacBride, Larry Marx, Bill Holt
Steven MacBride with his newest Brodak Jet plane. It is a Classic event plane and powered by a super Tigre 51, 54oz. and covered in Monocoat.
Ed Capitanelli from Tucson AZ. with his starduster planes. Ed was a Las Vegas flyer and is a member of LVCB. His wife Peggy also is a member. Ed & Peggy passed away a few years ago.
Rig -a- thon Day in October. From left to right, Joey Charles, Steve, Larry,Bill
Christopher Mundell our youngest member. Chris is a 4th generation flyer of the MacBride family.
He is also the Club secretary with his mom Sandy assisting.
Bill Holts and Charles, They are long time control line flyers in Las Vegas Charles passed away a few years ago.
