Matt's competed in unlimited in the 2007 US
Aerobatic Nationals, held in Sherman TX, USA from 23
- 29 September 2007. He flew
Rob
Holland's MX-2, designed by
MXR
Technologies, a new generation aerobatic
aircraft.
After only a few hours practice, Matt scored an
impressive 10th place overall, and 5th in the
Freestyle Competition. He was awarded the perpetual
Goodrich Trophy (on permanent display at Osh Kosh)
for the highest scoring non US Citizen in the
competition.
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Matt and the MX2 |
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Matt with Rob Holland's MX-2, during his workup for the US Nationals |
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Matt and Rob with the MX-2 |
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Matt trained with Rob Holland in the North East prior to the competition. |
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Tony and Julia's Hangar |
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Matt and Rob spent the days leading up to the comp practising nearby at Tony and Julia Wood's ranch. |
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Cowboy and Rob |
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Cowboy, Tony and Julia's pride and joy, is at home in aerobatic aircraft, both on and off the ground! |
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The Camper |
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With the weather in Texas typically hot, Matt and the family were grateful to be able to enjoy airconditioning (and for Mitchell, the occasional Thomas the Tank Engine DVD) inside the camper. |
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Preflight Prep |
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Rob talked Matt through his preflight prep throughout the comp |
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Unlimited Pilots |
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Fellow competitors, Debbie Rihn-Harvey and Robert Armstrong "dirt dive" the Unlimited Q, while Chandy looks on. |
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Pushing the plane |
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The plane was pushed back into the hangar after every flight, to keep it cool in the hot conditions. |
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Help pushing the plane |
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Intent on everything, Mitchell soon worked out that Dad might need a hand pushing the plane back so often! |
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Catching up with Hampy |
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Matt and Rob "Hampy" Hampton flew Strike Eagles together in the US, and also shared a hangar at Mt Olive NC. Both had a great time reminiscing about their many flying "adventures"! |
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Matt tries on an MXS |
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Always on the look out for the latest aircraft, Matt gladly accepted the chance to try out (on the ground anyway) MXR Technologies new MXS |
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