There are currently some guys dicking around with model aircraft; or more formally stated, they are competing in the 2014 FAI Asian-Oceanic Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft, Class F3A.
It’s all happening at behind the National Sports Stadium in Soi Chayapreuk; and naturally I had to go and take a look.
There are teams from a number of countries and they are cordoned off from us mere mortals. There is no commentary and all you can do is watch a succession of aircraft carrying out a series of acrobatic patterns in the sky in front of some judges. I am sure it is very skillful, and each performance is applauded with polite clapping; but for the uninitiated it is, how can I put it, boring.
It is well organised and official helpers carry planes out to the flight line:
Three aircraft are stacked up waiting their turn:
And then they do their thing in front of the judges (the small spot centre right is the performing aircraft…):
I tried to get a shot, but they are almost impossible to catch in the viewfinder, and even at 150mm they didn’t exactly fill the frame:
The good news for those who like these things is that it is on all day until Saturday, with the semis on Friday and the final on Saturday afternoon. The even better news for those of us who prefer our radio-controlled flying to be more recreational in nature, is that there will be a radio controlled air show on Sunday at the same location.
As we left the stadium we found a couple of drift cars having a practice for what appears to be an event this weekend; something else to point a camera at.
That’s one of the things I like about living in Pattaya, there are regular events being held all through the year which you can go and photograph or just enjoy. City Hall does not get enough credit for encouraging this.
Comments 🔗
2014-05-14| Ray saysPattaya looks great. Wish I could find a nice condo there. If you come across one clue me in.
2014-05-15| Spike saysI know of one, but the owner is asking an unrealistic price. Something about needing cash for a Leica. Or was it a Pentax…