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TRIPOLI Pittsburgh

Launch Report

September 7, 2025

Page 13

Rick Shubert has been a member of TRIPOLI Pittsburgh for a few years now and has been flying more and more.

This year he has openly declared that he is interested in the George Pike Award and was out in September flying like George used to.

Rick Shubert

Flyers: 15

Flights: 52

After flying a bucketful of his 3D printed whirlygigs, pyramids and whatchamacallits, Rick moved to the high power pads.

First off was his classic Purple People Eater, flying on a LOKI H-144 white.

Rick flew the People Eater for his level 1 certification years ago and added some 3D printed "altitude reducers" to the fins for his level 2 certification.

Next up was Rick's Atomic Piledriver heading up on a J-435 white.

Rick Shubert's Atomic Piledriver makes a left turn and heads towards the river.

As the Atomic Piledriver continues its track to the west, things appeared bad for Rick Shubert.

Winds were favorable and the Atomic Piledriver was blown back towards the launchpads enough that it landed just in the cornfield to the north.

With the flight of the Piledriver, Rick's flying day came to an end. Was his hectic day enough to put him in the lead for the George Pike Award?

Check out the final page of this report to find out.....

Photo: Todd Harrison

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