John Kagan's Daily Excerpts from NatsNews, Johnson City 2008 - May 29th

Stan Buddenbohm could be called the "Glider Whisperer".

Early Morning history was made in Hand Launched Glider (HLG).  Stan Buddenbohm is like the horse whisperer of model airplanes - call him the "Glider Whisperer."  He has a deft touch for coaxing out top performance from his models, and now he is the first person to win the Indoor HLG National Championship with a tip-launched ship. Stan worked his way through a stack of models, losing most to collisions with the bleachers or the scoreboard, but in the end he racked up an 80-second backup with an 86-second stunner to top the field and take the win.  He even had one last flight that is going to be the subject of many "what if" discussions. Glider fliers have been pursuing Ron Whittman's epic 90-second flight for more than 30 years, and Stan had one today that looked like it might have been the one.  After his 86-second performance he hurled up a flight that rolled out even higher, but was about 5 feet further to the side. Instead of clearing the inside of the speaker bundle near the ceiling like the previous flights, this one smacked square in the top of the stack.  The model crashed into the floor leaving only speculation on what it might have been.  I have a feeling that Stan is going to be hot on the trail of the Glider record now that he's proven conclusively that tip-launched gliders can make the grade.

Jim Lewis and Kurt Krempetz took second and third in HLG with their own tip-launched models.

Jim Lewis led Unlimited Catapult Glider for most of the day flying an unusual built-up-wing model and leaving Krempetz a bit stressed out by the chase.  But JIm reminded him, "Kurt, I always start out ahead but you always end up winning anyway!" 

Sure enough, Kurt posted a late 93.6 to back up his earlier 94.5 and edge Jim out by a mere 1.1 seconds!  Stan Buddenbohm locked in third.

Kurt also ran away with Standard Catapult, finishing almost 4 seconds ahead of Stan.  Bill Schlarb was close behind in third.

The Shoot-for-the-Loot
Catapult mass launch drew a minimal crowd, despite my admonitions that it was absolutely mandatory.  Still, there was five bucks in the pot and that at least buys a sandwich for lunch.  Stan topped off a spectacular day with an upset win over Standard Glider champion Krempetz and pocketed his hard-earned cash.  Way to go, Stan!