Planes, brains and aerodynamics

[Guest Chainsaw]

Source: http://www.standard.net/hilltop/175639/

 

Anyone who participated in or watched the paper airplane contest held after the Max Impact concert on June 3 at the Salt Lake City Public Library might not have been surprised to see Hill Air Force Base defending champion, Jerome Jenkins of the 538th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron, busy folding paper airplanes of his own.He wanted to defend his title as champion, Jenkins said. Good thing then that Master Sgt. Jon Werner of the 388th Operations Group was given a heads up about the contest and extended an invitation to the reigning champ.

 

As Jenkins folded planes, his wife, Angela, added her own designs and "good luck" to each one. She also folded a few herself, and the pair timed each one as it flew downward from the second story balcony.

 

When asked about the competition, Jenkins admitted that he might have a few challengers this month. "There are a few over there that look pretty good," he said.

 

One of Jenkins's competitors from the base's contest in February also showed up. Michael Starrett, whose mother, Beth Starrett, is a STINFO officer at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, happened to arrive a little late, and almost ran into trouble when the airplane paper ran out.

 

More paper was found and Starrett quickly crafted an airplane inspired by another competitor in February's contest and ran up the stairs to the second floor balcony to compete.

 

As each age group took turns tossing their airplanes, hoping for a long distance flier or even a long hover, a few mishaps occurred.

 

More than a few airplanes accidentally went down the elevator shaft, while some drifted off course and ended up at the downstairs art exhibit. Two or three even targeted audience members, and though no one was seriously hurt, one airplane hit an unfortunate bystander in the face.

 

Once it was time for the adults to fly their planes, Jerome and Angela Jenkins both took their places on the balcony. As Jerome let his first plane fly, gasps erupted from the audience. It was the fastest and farthest flying anyone had seen up to that point, although a few of the younger participants' had come close, Starrett included.

 

After another try or two, Jerome's turn was done and it was now Angela's time to shine. Instead of distance, her goal was to have the plane with the longest flight time. As her aircraft caught pillows of air and drifted almost lazily, it became clear that she would be some fierce competition.

 

When the adults were finished flying their planes, everyone crowded on the first floor to hear who won. Several children were sporting huge grins after the children's age groups were awarded prizes, and Starrett also walked away with a prize -- a humongous paper airplane kit.

 

When it came down to the adult winners, Jerome yet again was the reigning champion. As for Angela, she also won a prize for her hovering aircraft, and the couple went home with a poster and a hardcover book on aircraft.

 

All in all, it was a great day for Team Hill as well as for many of the children who got to see a little bit of aerodynamics at work and even how paper airplanes can really travel the distance with a little bit of luck.