Jim Ryan flew multiple missions with
one of his Ryan Aircraft P-47D-25REs.
They fly extremely well on stock
eight-cell NiMH batteries and a 6-volt
Speed 400 motor.
The indoor portion of the NEAT Fair Saturday night included
some incredibly small airplanes.
Father-and-son
partnerships
were common
at the event.
Dave Baron and
his son Richard
prepare their
model while
friend Alfred
looks on.
THE NORTHEAST Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair kicked
off this year as it has the last two years: in the rain. Fortunately it wasn’t a
complete washout for those who traveled so many miles to enjoy a
weekend of camaraderie and flying.
This event is as much about getting together with friends as it is about
learning what’s going on in the electric-aircraft world. AMA welcomed
everyone with a huge banner.
Tom Hunt fills the thankless position of CD for the event and he does
a stellar job, with backup from the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island.
The NEAT Fair is a huge event, with 300 registered pilots and roughly
3,000 spectators, so it’s no small task to have it run smoothly and
efficiently, but the team manages to do it year after year.
This event is held every year near the second weekend of September (the
15th-17th for this edition) in a picturesque section of the Catskill
Mountains near Downsville, New York. The site is a campground with a
huge field that is mowed to accommodate the runway for the one
weekend.
The logistics of finding lodging and restaurants can be a challenge, so
it pays to plan well in advance if you want to avoid having to stay an hour
away from the field. Plenty of food is available from caterers at the field
during the weekend, so you won’t go hungry.
The NEAT Fair is a gathering of modelers who make the annual
pilgrimage to commune with others who share their passion for electricpowered
flight. There are beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Vendors and manufacturers display their products along vendors’ row to
answer questions and show off the latest, greatest items.
Of special note this year was the number of father/son teams I spotted
along the flightline. Many of us have been wondering where the next
generation of pilots is going to come from, and there is hope.
Noted electric expert Dave Baron of Fly RC magazine definitely did
his part to engage all the youth at the field in flight activity. He opened his
well-equipped pit area for them to use to congregate with others their age
and offered advice, refreshments, and encouragement throughout the
weekend. Eleven-year-old Alfred Fusco won this year’s award for
documenting more flights than any other pilot.
The renowned guru of Electrics in this country has to be Keith Shaw,
and he was available all weekend to anyone who wanted to discuss things
The pits at the NEAT Fair were full of a
wide variety of models.
with him. His arsenal of electric-powered
models was on display and open for inspection
by anyone who was looking for information.
With the proliferation of electric-modeling
forums on the Internet there were sporadic
gatherings of people who have “known each
other” online for sometime and had never met
in person. This proves to be an interesting
experience, and it shows how much we really
get to know each other through discussion
groups.
Castle Creations held a gathering of
customers to get a group photo and then
tossed products to the group like candy. It was
a sight, with old and young gleefully
scrambling for their treats.
Vendors’ row was set up directly behind the
pits, where it was readily accessible by pilots
and spectators. There was anything needed to
get started in electric-powered flight, and most
companies had specials to entice attendees to
find their wallets. This is one of the rare
opportunities to talk directly to the people who
design, build, and market the products we use
every day.
However, not all the booths were selling
merchandise; some were there for the sole
purpose of displaying their products and
providing technical support. I saw many pilots
obtain free warranty service and support for
problems they encountered, and it wasn’t
always for a product sold by that particular
manufacturer—it was just to help out.
The noon demonstrations at a large fly-in can
be the highlight of an event or the most boring
waste of time possible. Fortunately Tom Hunt
is well aware of this and controls it better than
most. He keeps it from becoming a large
infomercial for manufacturers and sponsored
teams.
The demos at the NEAT Fair allow anyone
in attendance to fill out a form requesting a
slot to show his or her airplane. The staff
selects featured models to show a wide variety
of aircraft and equipment.
There are invited show pilots such as Keith
Shaw, who demonstrate the cutting edge of
equipment and flying skills, but there are also
“regular pilots” who have built exceptional
models. This format ensures some variation
each day so attendees aren’t bored by
repetition or sales pitches by overzealous
manufacturers. My hat is off to Tom for
keeping it a pilots’ show.
In spite of its size, this event manages to
maintain the relaxed atmosphere of a local flyin
with friends. Families are camped out
together, and groups of modelers become
long-term friends by the end of the weekend.
Commercialism is kept at a minimum, and
the open exchange of ideas through informal
seminars and tech talks provides for a learning
atmosphere. This is where you go to find the
answers to all the questions you have about
electric flight and not feel intimidated by
anything.
District II Vice President Dave Mathewson
was on hand to discuss all things related to
AMA. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of the
Executive Council members relaxed and open
to questions and suggestions. Dave presented
This 72-inch Kangke USA WACO UPF-7 is powered by the AstroFlight 120
monster motor on a 12S2P pack made from A123Racing cells.
Allen Mrock flew his Shell Oil P-39
all the way to a successful landing in
spite of an onboard fire that spewed
smoke all the way in. Never give up
on an airplane!
Team Astro’s Steve Bayens flew its Great
Planes 1/3-scale Christen Eagle using
AstroFlight’s new 120 monster motor.
Spinning an APC electric 18 x 8 propeller
at 8,900 rpm moves this 19-pound model.
Below: Nick Lavallee hovers a Northeast
Sailplane Products Accord 2200E to show
this 12-pound, 84-inch aerobat’s ability.
the welcome banner to show AMA’s support
and excitement about this type of event being
held in his district.
Everything from Giant Scale behemoths to
the world’s smallest RC airplane flew during
the event. Scratch-built original designs, ARFs,
highly modified ARFs, foamies, helicopters,
gyrocopters, sailplanes, kit-built models, and
novelty airplanes were present and flown.
The field was divided to accommodate
everything anyone brought to fly. There was an
indoor fly at the local high school Saturday
night that packed in a crowd. Bob Aberle
covered the event in RC MicroFlight. The
“rescue mission” of the airplane stuck in the
rafters by Petter Muren using his Micro
Mosquito was the highlight of the evening and
a crowd favorite.
The technology you get to see represents a
great deal of what’s new, working in a real
field environment so you can learn about how
certain products might fit your modeling needs.
There were two standouts this year, one of
which was AstroFlight’s new monster 120
direct-drive conventional (not an outrunner)
motor. This power plant is the ultimate in
efficiency and simplicity, employing a plugand-
play system that will handle the largest
models.
The fact that the new 120 is made in the
United States and supported by a company
where you can still call and talk to the man who
designs and makes the motor is a plus. Keith
Shaw demonstrated the power this outrunner
has available by using it in his scratch-built, 10-
pound, 1/6-scale CzechMate Reno racer, doing
speed runs of 157 mph and demonstrating
unlimited vertical performance.
A123Racing made a huge splash by
introducing its line of Hypersonic Lithium-Ion
batteries: the next generation for the RC
market. These batteries use a patented,
revolutionary Lithium-Ion chemistry to provide
high performance and abuse tolerance that is
unmatched by any other battery chemistry.
The company had two engineers on hand to
answer questions and discuss applications
using this new battery technology. The safety
of these new cells is a plus, and I expect they
will get big in electric-powered flight.
My Giant Scale WACO UPF-7
demonstrated the new Astro 120 on a 12S2P
pack of the A123 cells. Even in 94° weather
they haven’t exceeded 106°.
All good things must come to an end, and so
it was Sunday afternoon with the 2006
NEAT Fair. The weather finally cleared
completely, and the sun shone down on
the crowd.
Pilots went away with dreams and
schemes of next year’s event and what new
airplanes they would bring to show off. A tired
crew of SEFLI staff began breaking down the
field and thinking about doing it all again in a
mere 12 months.
Some things make going to the NEAT Fair
a bit of a challenge because of the remote
location and lack of local lodging, but it is the
premiere electric event. Good job, Tom and
SEFLI. Thanks for having us. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Carl DeFilippo shows that body English
often helps when launching his 42-inch
autogiro. The 32-ounce craft is
powered by 3S2P Li-Polys and an HP
Jet geared motor.
Right: Dave Ottney explains the details
of his beautiful Albatros D.II from an
Aerodrome RC kit. Speed 400 power
moves this 24-ounce model nicely.
Keith Shaw’s own-design CzechMate Reno racer
does pylon turns at the end of each 157 mph speed
run. The AstroFlight 120 monster motor uses a
10S Li-Poly Pack.
Tom Hunt—Event director and
supreme commander of the NEAT
Fair—took a break long enough to
show off his converted KMP Bf 109E-4.
It flew well at 129 watts per pound.
Mike Glass
designed this
21-gram Christen
Eagle II distributed
by BSD Micro RC.
The 10-inch-span
model has tissue
over Depron.
The team of Bill Hadden, John
Hunton, Mike Dale, and Bill McMullen
presented this 10.5-pound, 98-inchspan
Handley Page H.P.42. It got rave
reviews.
Jet expert Terry Nitsch
showed off his new TeeRific
Jets F-15 up close. The MB-54
motor and Wemotec Fan unit
flew it with authority.
Alfred Fusco’s V2 Models ARF
features electronic gun sounds.
It’s powered by an E-flite 60
motor and a 6S2P pack.
This Airworld Me 262A-1a piloted by Kevin
Morse was spectacular, using Scheubeler fans
and Hacker B50-13XL motors.
Keith Shaw’s
1/5-scale Bugatti
P-100 racer
features twin
AstroFlight 05
brushless
motors
running
through a
homebuilt
gearbox for
contrarotating
propellers.
Howie Cummings of Competition Hobbies
relaxed by flying his 8-foot, 5-pound Pink Floyd
powered by a 200HT motor on 3S Li-Polys.
Tom Blakeney’s
Fantastic Models F9F
Panther makes a low
pass. This 6-ounce gem
was really impressive.
Greg Covey
sprays the
floats on
Lynn
Bowerman’s
E-flite Cub to
help it slide
over the
grass. It
flew with
authority on
a Power 25
motor.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 47,48,49,50
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 47,48,49,50
Jim Ryan flew multiple missions with
one of his Ryan Aircraft P-47D-25REs.
They fly extremely well on stock
eight-cell NiMH batteries and a 6-volt
Speed 400 motor.
The indoor portion of the NEAT Fair Saturday night included
some incredibly small airplanes.
Father-and-son
partnerships
were common
at the event.
Dave Baron and
his son Richard
prepare their
model while
friend Alfred
looks on.
THE NORTHEAST Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair kicked
off this year as it has the last two years: in the rain. Fortunately it wasn’t a
complete washout for those who traveled so many miles to enjoy a
weekend of camaraderie and flying.
This event is as much about getting together with friends as it is about
learning what’s going on in the electric-aircraft world. AMA welcomed
everyone with a huge banner.
Tom Hunt fills the thankless position of CD for the event and he does
a stellar job, with backup from the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island.
The NEAT Fair is a huge event, with 300 registered pilots and roughly
3,000 spectators, so it’s no small task to have it run smoothly and
efficiently, but the team manages to do it year after year.
This event is held every year near the second weekend of September (the
15th-17th for this edition) in a picturesque section of the Catskill
Mountains near Downsville, New York. The site is a campground with a
huge field that is mowed to accommodate the runway for the one
weekend.
The logistics of finding lodging and restaurants can be a challenge, so
it pays to plan well in advance if you want to avoid having to stay an hour
away from the field. Plenty of food is available from caterers at the field
during the weekend, so you won’t go hungry.
The NEAT Fair is a gathering of modelers who make the annual
pilgrimage to commune with others who share their passion for electricpowered
flight. There are beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Vendors and manufacturers display their products along vendors’ row to
answer questions and show off the latest, greatest items.
Of special note this year was the number of father/son teams I spotted
along the flightline. Many of us have been wondering where the next
generation of pilots is going to come from, and there is hope.
Noted electric expert Dave Baron of Fly RC magazine definitely did
his part to engage all the youth at the field in flight activity. He opened his
well-equipped pit area for them to use to congregate with others their age
and offered advice, refreshments, and encouragement throughout the
weekend. Eleven-year-old Alfred Fusco won this year’s award for
documenting more flights than any other pilot.
The renowned guru of Electrics in this country has to be Keith Shaw,
and he was available all weekend to anyone who wanted to discuss things
The pits at the NEAT Fair were full of a
wide variety of models.
with him. His arsenal of electric-powered
models was on display and open for inspection
by anyone who was looking for information.
With the proliferation of electric-modeling
forums on the Internet there were sporadic
gatherings of people who have “known each
other” online for sometime and had never met
in person. This proves to be an interesting
experience, and it shows how much we really
get to know each other through discussion
groups.
Castle Creations held a gathering of
customers to get a group photo and then
tossed products to the group like candy. It was
a sight, with old and young gleefully
scrambling for their treats.
Vendors’ row was set up directly behind the
pits, where it was readily accessible by pilots
and spectators. There was anything needed to
get started in electric-powered flight, and most
companies had specials to entice attendees to
find their wallets. This is one of the rare
opportunities to talk directly to the people who
design, build, and market the products we use
every day.
However, not all the booths were selling
merchandise; some were there for the sole
purpose of displaying their products and
providing technical support. I saw many pilots
obtain free warranty service and support for
problems they encountered, and it wasn’t
always for a product sold by that particular
manufacturer—it was just to help out.
The noon demonstrations at a large fly-in can
be the highlight of an event or the most boring
waste of time possible. Fortunately Tom Hunt
is well aware of this and controls it better than
most. He keeps it from becoming a large
infomercial for manufacturers and sponsored
teams.
The demos at the NEAT Fair allow anyone
in attendance to fill out a form requesting a
slot to show his or her airplane. The staff
selects featured models to show a wide variety
of aircraft and equipment.
There are invited show pilots such as Keith
Shaw, who demonstrate the cutting edge of
equipment and flying skills, but there are also
“regular pilots” who have built exceptional
models. This format ensures some variation
each day so attendees aren’t bored by
repetition or sales pitches by overzealous
manufacturers. My hat is off to Tom for
keeping it a pilots’ show.
In spite of its size, this event manages to
maintain the relaxed atmosphere of a local flyin
with friends. Families are camped out
together, and groups of modelers become
long-term friends by the end of the weekend.
Commercialism is kept at a minimum, and
the open exchange of ideas through informal
seminars and tech talks provides for a learning
atmosphere. This is where you go to find the
answers to all the questions you have about
electric flight and not feel intimidated by
anything.
District II Vice President Dave Mathewson
was on hand to discuss all things related to
AMA. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of the
Executive Council members relaxed and open
to questions and suggestions. Dave presented
This 72-inch Kangke USA WACO UPF-7 is powered by the AstroFlight 120
monster motor on a 12S2P pack made from A123Racing cells.
Allen Mrock flew his Shell Oil P-39
all the way to a successful landing in
spite of an onboard fire that spewed
smoke all the way in. Never give up
on an airplane!
Team Astro’s Steve Bayens flew its Great
Planes 1/3-scale Christen Eagle using
AstroFlight’s new 120 monster motor.
Spinning an APC electric 18 x 8 propeller
at 8,900 rpm moves this 19-pound model.
Below: Nick Lavallee hovers a Northeast
Sailplane Products Accord 2200E to show
this 12-pound, 84-inch aerobat’s ability.
the welcome banner to show AMA’s support
and excitement about this type of event being
held in his district.
Everything from Giant Scale behemoths to
the world’s smallest RC airplane flew during
the event. Scratch-built original designs, ARFs,
highly modified ARFs, foamies, helicopters,
gyrocopters, sailplanes, kit-built models, and
novelty airplanes were present and flown.
The field was divided to accommodate
everything anyone brought to fly. There was an
indoor fly at the local high school Saturday
night that packed in a crowd. Bob Aberle
covered the event in RC MicroFlight. The
“rescue mission” of the airplane stuck in the
rafters by Petter Muren using his Micro
Mosquito was the highlight of the evening and
a crowd favorite.
The technology you get to see represents a
great deal of what’s new, working in a real
field environment so you can learn about how
certain products might fit your modeling needs.
There were two standouts this year, one of
which was AstroFlight’s new monster 120
direct-drive conventional (not an outrunner)
motor. This power plant is the ultimate in
efficiency and simplicity, employing a plugand-
play system that will handle the largest
models.
The fact that the new 120 is made in the
United States and supported by a company
where you can still call and talk to the man who
designs and makes the motor is a plus. Keith
Shaw demonstrated the power this outrunner
has available by using it in his scratch-built, 10-
pound, 1/6-scale CzechMate Reno racer, doing
speed runs of 157 mph and demonstrating
unlimited vertical performance.
A123Racing made a huge splash by
introducing its line of Hypersonic Lithium-Ion
batteries: the next generation for the RC
market. These batteries use a patented,
revolutionary Lithium-Ion chemistry to provide
high performance and abuse tolerance that is
unmatched by any other battery chemistry.
The company had two engineers on hand to
answer questions and discuss applications
using this new battery technology. The safety
of these new cells is a plus, and I expect they
will get big in electric-powered flight.
My Giant Scale WACO UPF-7
demonstrated the new Astro 120 on a 12S2P
pack of the A123 cells. Even in 94° weather
they haven’t exceeded 106°.
All good things must come to an end, and so
it was Sunday afternoon with the 2006
NEAT Fair. The weather finally cleared
completely, and the sun shone down on
the crowd.
Pilots went away with dreams and
schemes of next year’s event and what new
airplanes they would bring to show off. A tired
crew of SEFLI staff began breaking down the
field and thinking about doing it all again in a
mere 12 months.
Some things make going to the NEAT Fair
a bit of a challenge because of the remote
location and lack of local lodging, but it is the
premiere electric event. Good job, Tom and
SEFLI. Thanks for having us. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Carl DeFilippo shows that body English
often helps when launching his 42-inch
autogiro. The 32-ounce craft is
powered by 3S2P Li-Polys and an HP
Jet geared motor.
Right: Dave Ottney explains the details
of his beautiful Albatros D.II from an
Aerodrome RC kit. Speed 400 power
moves this 24-ounce model nicely.
Keith Shaw’s own-design CzechMate Reno racer
does pylon turns at the end of each 157 mph speed
run. The AstroFlight 120 monster motor uses a
10S Li-Poly Pack.
Tom Hunt—Event director and
supreme commander of the NEAT
Fair—took a break long enough to
show off his converted KMP Bf 109E-4.
It flew well at 129 watts per pound.
Mike Glass
designed this
21-gram Christen
Eagle II distributed
by BSD Micro RC.
The 10-inch-span
model has tissue
over Depron.
The team of Bill Hadden, John
Hunton, Mike Dale, and Bill McMullen
presented this 10.5-pound, 98-inchspan
Handley Page H.P.42. It got rave
reviews.
Jet expert Terry Nitsch
showed off his new TeeRific
Jets F-15 up close. The MB-54
motor and Wemotec Fan unit
flew it with authority.
Alfred Fusco’s V2 Models ARF
features electronic gun sounds.
It’s powered by an E-flite 60
motor and a 6S2P pack.
This Airworld Me 262A-1a piloted by Kevin
Morse was spectacular, using Scheubeler fans
and Hacker B50-13XL motors.
Keith Shaw’s
1/5-scale Bugatti
P-100 racer
features twin
AstroFlight 05
brushless
motors
running
through a
homebuilt
gearbox for
contrarotating
propellers.
Howie Cummings of Competition Hobbies
relaxed by flying his 8-foot, 5-pound Pink Floyd
powered by a 200HT motor on 3S Li-Polys.
Tom Blakeney’s
Fantastic Models F9F
Panther makes a low
pass. This 6-ounce gem
was really impressive.
Greg Covey
sprays the
floats on
Lynn
Bowerman’s
E-flite Cub to
help it slide
over the
grass. It
flew with
authority on
a Power 25
motor.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 47,48,49,50
Jim Ryan flew multiple missions with
one of his Ryan Aircraft P-47D-25REs.
They fly extremely well on stock
eight-cell NiMH batteries and a 6-volt
Speed 400 motor.
The indoor portion of the NEAT Fair Saturday night included
some incredibly small airplanes.
Father-and-son
partnerships
were common
at the event.
Dave Baron and
his son Richard
prepare their
model while
friend Alfred
looks on.
THE NORTHEAST Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair kicked
off this year as it has the last two years: in the rain. Fortunately it wasn’t a
complete washout for those who traveled so many miles to enjoy a
weekend of camaraderie and flying.
This event is as much about getting together with friends as it is about
learning what’s going on in the electric-aircraft world. AMA welcomed
everyone with a huge banner.
Tom Hunt fills the thankless position of CD for the event and he does
a stellar job, with backup from the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island.
The NEAT Fair is a huge event, with 300 registered pilots and roughly
3,000 spectators, so it’s no small task to have it run smoothly and
efficiently, but the team manages to do it year after year.
This event is held every year near the second weekend of September (the
15th-17th for this edition) in a picturesque section of the Catskill
Mountains near Downsville, New York. The site is a campground with a
huge field that is mowed to accommodate the runway for the one
weekend.
The logistics of finding lodging and restaurants can be a challenge, so
it pays to plan well in advance if you want to avoid having to stay an hour
away from the field. Plenty of food is available from caterers at the field
during the weekend, so you won’t go hungry.
The NEAT Fair is a gathering of modelers who make the annual
pilgrimage to commune with others who share their passion for electricpowered
flight. There are beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Vendors and manufacturers display their products along vendors’ row to
answer questions and show off the latest, greatest items.
Of special note this year was the number of father/son teams I spotted
along the flightline. Many of us have been wondering where the next
generation of pilots is going to come from, and there is hope.
Noted electric expert Dave Baron of Fly RC magazine definitely did
his part to engage all the youth at the field in flight activity. He opened his
well-equipped pit area for them to use to congregate with others their age
and offered advice, refreshments, and encouragement throughout the
weekend. Eleven-year-old Alfred Fusco won this year’s award for
documenting more flights than any other pilot.
The renowned guru of Electrics in this country has to be Keith Shaw,
and he was available all weekend to anyone who wanted to discuss things
The pits at the NEAT Fair were full of a
wide variety of models.
with him. His arsenal of electric-powered
models was on display and open for inspection
by anyone who was looking for information.
With the proliferation of electric-modeling
forums on the Internet there were sporadic
gatherings of people who have “known each
other” online for sometime and had never met
in person. This proves to be an interesting
experience, and it shows how much we really
get to know each other through discussion
groups.
Castle Creations held a gathering of
customers to get a group photo and then
tossed products to the group like candy. It was
a sight, with old and young gleefully
scrambling for their treats.
Vendors’ row was set up directly behind the
pits, where it was readily accessible by pilots
and spectators. There was anything needed to
get started in electric-powered flight, and most
companies had specials to entice attendees to
find their wallets. This is one of the rare
opportunities to talk directly to the people who
design, build, and market the products we use
every day.
However, not all the booths were selling
merchandise; some were there for the sole
purpose of displaying their products and
providing technical support. I saw many pilots
obtain free warranty service and support for
problems they encountered, and it wasn’t
always for a product sold by that particular
manufacturer—it was just to help out.
The noon demonstrations at a large fly-in can
be the highlight of an event or the most boring
waste of time possible. Fortunately Tom Hunt
is well aware of this and controls it better than
most. He keeps it from becoming a large
infomercial for manufacturers and sponsored
teams.
The demos at the NEAT Fair allow anyone
in attendance to fill out a form requesting a
slot to show his or her airplane. The staff
selects featured models to show a wide variety
of aircraft and equipment.
There are invited show pilots such as Keith
Shaw, who demonstrate the cutting edge of
equipment and flying skills, but there are also
“regular pilots” who have built exceptional
models. This format ensures some variation
each day so attendees aren’t bored by
repetition or sales pitches by overzealous
manufacturers. My hat is off to Tom for
keeping it a pilots’ show.
In spite of its size, this event manages to
maintain the relaxed atmosphere of a local flyin
with friends. Families are camped out
together, and groups of modelers become
long-term friends by the end of the weekend.
Commercialism is kept at a minimum, and
the open exchange of ideas through informal
seminars and tech talks provides for a learning
atmosphere. This is where you go to find the
answers to all the questions you have about
electric flight and not feel intimidated by
anything.
District II Vice President Dave Mathewson
was on hand to discuss all things related to
AMA. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of the
Executive Council members relaxed and open
to questions and suggestions. Dave presented
This 72-inch Kangke USA WACO UPF-7 is powered by the AstroFlight 120
monster motor on a 12S2P pack made from A123Racing cells.
Allen Mrock flew his Shell Oil P-39
all the way to a successful landing in
spite of an onboard fire that spewed
smoke all the way in. Never give up
on an airplane!
Team Astro’s Steve Bayens flew its Great
Planes 1/3-scale Christen Eagle using
AstroFlight’s new 120 monster motor.
Spinning an APC electric 18 x 8 propeller
at 8,900 rpm moves this 19-pound model.
Below: Nick Lavallee hovers a Northeast
Sailplane Products Accord 2200E to show
this 12-pound, 84-inch aerobat’s ability.
the welcome banner to show AMA’s support
and excitement about this type of event being
held in his district.
Everything from Giant Scale behemoths to
the world’s smallest RC airplane flew during
the event. Scratch-built original designs, ARFs,
highly modified ARFs, foamies, helicopters,
gyrocopters, sailplanes, kit-built models, and
novelty airplanes were present and flown.
The field was divided to accommodate
everything anyone brought to fly. There was an
indoor fly at the local high school Saturday
night that packed in a crowd. Bob Aberle
covered the event in RC MicroFlight. The
“rescue mission” of the airplane stuck in the
rafters by Petter Muren using his Micro
Mosquito was the highlight of the evening and
a crowd favorite.
The technology you get to see represents a
great deal of what’s new, working in a real
field environment so you can learn about how
certain products might fit your modeling needs.
There were two standouts this year, one of
which was AstroFlight’s new monster 120
direct-drive conventional (not an outrunner)
motor. This power plant is the ultimate in
efficiency and simplicity, employing a plugand-
play system that will handle the largest
models.
The fact that the new 120 is made in the
United States and supported by a company
where you can still call and talk to the man who
designs and makes the motor is a plus. Keith
Shaw demonstrated the power this outrunner
has available by using it in his scratch-built, 10-
pound, 1/6-scale CzechMate Reno racer, doing
speed runs of 157 mph and demonstrating
unlimited vertical performance.
A123Racing made a huge splash by
introducing its line of Hypersonic Lithium-Ion
batteries: the next generation for the RC
market. These batteries use a patented,
revolutionary Lithium-Ion chemistry to provide
high performance and abuse tolerance that is
unmatched by any other battery chemistry.
The company had two engineers on hand to
answer questions and discuss applications
using this new battery technology. The safety
of these new cells is a plus, and I expect they
will get big in electric-powered flight.
My Giant Scale WACO UPF-7
demonstrated the new Astro 120 on a 12S2P
pack of the A123 cells. Even in 94° weather
they haven’t exceeded 106°.
All good things must come to an end, and so
it was Sunday afternoon with the 2006
NEAT Fair. The weather finally cleared
completely, and the sun shone down on
the crowd.
Pilots went away with dreams and
schemes of next year’s event and what new
airplanes they would bring to show off. A tired
crew of SEFLI staff began breaking down the
field and thinking about doing it all again in a
mere 12 months.
Some things make going to the NEAT Fair
a bit of a challenge because of the remote
location and lack of local lodging, but it is the
premiere electric event. Good job, Tom and
SEFLI. Thanks for having us. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Carl DeFilippo shows that body English
often helps when launching his 42-inch
autogiro. The 32-ounce craft is
powered by 3S2P Li-Polys and an HP
Jet geared motor.
Right: Dave Ottney explains the details
of his beautiful Albatros D.II from an
Aerodrome RC kit. Speed 400 power
moves this 24-ounce model nicely.
Keith Shaw’s own-design CzechMate Reno racer
does pylon turns at the end of each 157 mph speed
run. The AstroFlight 120 monster motor uses a
10S Li-Poly Pack.
Tom Hunt—Event director and
supreme commander of the NEAT
Fair—took a break long enough to
show off his converted KMP Bf 109E-4.
It flew well at 129 watts per pound.
Mike Glass
designed this
21-gram Christen
Eagle II distributed
by BSD Micro RC.
The 10-inch-span
model has tissue
over Depron.
The team of Bill Hadden, John
Hunton, Mike Dale, and Bill McMullen
presented this 10.5-pound, 98-inchspan
Handley Page H.P.42. It got rave
reviews.
Jet expert Terry Nitsch
showed off his new TeeRific
Jets F-15 up close. The MB-54
motor and Wemotec Fan unit
flew it with authority.
Alfred Fusco’s V2 Models ARF
features electronic gun sounds.
It’s powered by an E-flite 60
motor and a 6S2P pack.
This Airworld Me 262A-1a piloted by Kevin
Morse was spectacular, using Scheubeler fans
and Hacker B50-13XL motors.
Keith Shaw’s
1/5-scale Bugatti
P-100 racer
features twin
AstroFlight 05
brushless
motors
running
through a
homebuilt
gearbox for
contrarotating
propellers.
Howie Cummings of Competition Hobbies
relaxed by flying his 8-foot, 5-pound Pink Floyd
powered by a 200HT motor on 3S Li-Polys.
Tom Blakeney’s
Fantastic Models F9F
Panther makes a low
pass. This 6-ounce gem
was really impressive.
Greg Covey
sprays the
floats on
Lynn
Bowerman’s
E-flite Cub to
help it slide
over the
grass. It
flew with
authority on
a Power 25
motor.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 47,48,49,50
Jim Ryan flew multiple missions with
one of his Ryan Aircraft P-47D-25REs.
They fly extremely well on stock
eight-cell NiMH batteries and a 6-volt
Speed 400 motor.
The indoor portion of the NEAT Fair Saturday night included
some incredibly small airplanes.
Father-and-son
partnerships
were common
at the event.
Dave Baron and
his son Richard
prepare their
model while
friend Alfred
looks on.
THE NORTHEAST Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair kicked
off this year as it has the last two years: in the rain. Fortunately it wasn’t a
complete washout for those who traveled so many miles to enjoy a
weekend of camaraderie and flying.
This event is as much about getting together with friends as it is about
learning what’s going on in the electric-aircraft world. AMA welcomed
everyone with a huge banner.
Tom Hunt fills the thankless position of CD for the event and he does
a stellar job, with backup from the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island.
The NEAT Fair is a huge event, with 300 registered pilots and roughly
3,000 spectators, so it’s no small task to have it run smoothly and
efficiently, but the team manages to do it year after year.
This event is held every year near the second weekend of September (the
15th-17th for this edition) in a picturesque section of the Catskill
Mountains near Downsville, New York. The site is a campground with a
huge field that is mowed to accommodate the runway for the one
weekend.
The logistics of finding lodging and restaurants can be a challenge, so
it pays to plan well in advance if you want to avoid having to stay an hour
away from the field. Plenty of food is available from caterers at the field
during the weekend, so you won’t go hungry.
The NEAT Fair is a gathering of modelers who make the annual
pilgrimage to commune with others who share their passion for electricpowered
flight. There are beginners, experts, and everyone in between.
Vendors and manufacturers display their products along vendors’ row to
answer questions and show off the latest, greatest items.
Of special note this year was the number of father/son teams I spotted
along the flightline. Many of us have been wondering where the next
generation of pilots is going to come from, and there is hope.
Noted electric expert Dave Baron of Fly RC magazine definitely did
his part to engage all the youth at the field in flight activity. He opened his
well-equipped pit area for them to use to congregate with others their age
and offered advice, refreshments, and encouragement throughout the
weekend. Eleven-year-old Alfred Fusco won this year’s award for
documenting more flights than any other pilot.
The renowned guru of Electrics in this country has to be Keith Shaw,
and he was available all weekend to anyone who wanted to discuss things
The pits at the NEAT Fair were full of a
wide variety of models.
with him. His arsenal of electric-powered
models was on display and open for inspection
by anyone who was looking for information.
With the proliferation of electric-modeling
forums on the Internet there were sporadic
gatherings of people who have “known each
other” online for sometime and had never met
in person. This proves to be an interesting
experience, and it shows how much we really
get to know each other through discussion
groups.
Castle Creations held a gathering of
customers to get a group photo and then
tossed products to the group like candy. It was
a sight, with old and young gleefully
scrambling for their treats.
Vendors’ row was set up directly behind the
pits, where it was readily accessible by pilots
and spectators. There was anything needed to
get started in electric-powered flight, and most
companies had specials to entice attendees to
find their wallets. This is one of the rare
opportunities to talk directly to the people who
design, build, and market the products we use
every day.
However, not all the booths were selling
merchandise; some were there for the sole
purpose of displaying their products and
providing technical support. I saw many pilots
obtain free warranty service and support for
problems they encountered, and it wasn’t
always for a product sold by that particular
manufacturer—it was just to help out.
The noon demonstrations at a large fly-in can
be the highlight of an event or the most boring
waste of time possible. Fortunately Tom Hunt
is well aware of this and controls it better than
most. He keeps it from becoming a large
infomercial for manufacturers and sponsored
teams.
The demos at the NEAT Fair allow anyone
in attendance to fill out a form requesting a
slot to show his or her airplane. The staff
selects featured models to show a wide variety
of aircraft and equipment.
There are invited show pilots such as Keith
Shaw, who demonstrate the cutting edge of
equipment and flying skills, but there are also
“regular pilots” who have built exceptional
models. This format ensures some variation
each day so attendees aren’t bored by
repetition or sales pitches by overzealous
manufacturers. My hat is off to Tom for
keeping it a pilots’ show.
In spite of its size, this event manages to
maintain the relaxed atmosphere of a local flyin
with friends. Families are camped out
together, and groups of modelers become
long-term friends by the end of the weekend.
Commercialism is kept at a minimum, and
the open exchange of ideas through informal
seminars and tech talks provides for a learning
atmosphere. This is where you go to find the
answers to all the questions you have about
electric flight and not feel intimidated by
anything.
District II Vice President Dave Mathewson
was on hand to discuss all things related to
AMA. It’s a rare opportunity to see one of the
Executive Council members relaxed and open
to questions and suggestions. Dave presented
This 72-inch Kangke USA WACO UPF-7 is powered by the AstroFlight 120
monster motor on a 12S2P pack made from A123Racing cells.
Allen Mrock flew his Shell Oil P-39
all the way to a successful landing in
spite of an onboard fire that spewed
smoke all the way in. Never give up
on an airplane!
Team Astro’s Steve Bayens flew its Great
Planes 1/3-scale Christen Eagle using
AstroFlight’s new 120 monster motor.
Spinning an APC electric 18 x 8 propeller
at 8,900 rpm moves this 19-pound model.
Below: Nick Lavallee hovers a Northeast
Sailplane Products Accord 2200E to show
this 12-pound, 84-inch aerobat’s ability.
the welcome banner to show AMA’s support
and excitement about this type of event being
held in his district.
Everything from Giant Scale behemoths to
the world’s smallest RC airplane flew during
the event. Scratch-built original designs, ARFs,
highly modified ARFs, foamies, helicopters,
gyrocopters, sailplanes, kit-built models, and
novelty airplanes were present and flown.
The field was divided to accommodate
everything anyone brought to fly. There was an
indoor fly at the local high school Saturday
night that packed in a crowd. Bob Aberle
covered the event in RC MicroFlight. The
“rescue mission” of the airplane stuck in the
rafters by Petter Muren using his Micro
Mosquito was the highlight of the evening and
a crowd favorite.
The technology you get to see represents a
great deal of what’s new, working in a real
field environment so you can learn about how
certain products might fit your modeling needs.
There were two standouts this year, one of
which was AstroFlight’s new monster 120
direct-drive conventional (not an outrunner)
motor. This power plant is the ultimate in
efficiency and simplicity, employing a plugand-
play system that will handle the largest
models.
The fact that the new 120 is made in the
United States and supported by a company
where you can still call and talk to the man who
designs and makes the motor is a plus. Keith
Shaw demonstrated the power this outrunner
has available by using it in his scratch-built, 10-
pound, 1/6-scale CzechMate Reno racer, doing
speed runs of 157 mph and demonstrating
unlimited vertical performance.
A123Racing made a huge splash by
introducing its line of Hypersonic Lithium-Ion
batteries: the next generation for the RC
market. These batteries use a patented,
revolutionary Lithium-Ion chemistry to provide
high performance and abuse tolerance that is
unmatched by any other battery chemistry.
The company had two engineers on hand to
answer questions and discuss applications
using this new battery technology. The safety
of these new cells is a plus, and I expect they
will get big in electric-powered flight.
My Giant Scale WACO UPF-7
demonstrated the new Astro 120 on a 12S2P
pack of the A123 cells. Even in 94° weather
they haven’t exceeded 106°.
All good things must come to an end, and so
it was Sunday afternoon with the 2006
NEAT Fair. The weather finally cleared
completely, and the sun shone down on
the crowd.
Pilots went away with dreams and
schemes of next year’s event and what new
airplanes they would bring to show off. A tired
crew of SEFLI staff began breaking down the
field and thinking about doing it all again in a
mere 12 months.
Some things make going to the NEAT Fair
a bit of a challenge because of the remote
location and lack of local lodging, but it is the
premiere electric event. Good job, Tom and
SEFLI. Thanks for having us. MA
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
Carl DeFilippo shows that body English
often helps when launching his 42-inch
autogiro. The 32-ounce craft is
powered by 3S2P Li-Polys and an HP
Jet geared motor.
Right: Dave Ottney explains the details
of his beautiful Albatros D.II from an
Aerodrome RC kit. Speed 400 power
moves this 24-ounce model nicely.
Keith Shaw’s own-design CzechMate Reno racer
does pylon turns at the end of each 157 mph speed
run. The AstroFlight 120 monster motor uses a
10S Li-Poly Pack.
Tom Hunt—Event director and
supreme commander of the NEAT
Fair—took a break long enough to
show off his converted KMP Bf 109E-4.
It flew well at 129 watts per pound.
Mike Glass
designed this
21-gram Christen
Eagle II distributed
by BSD Micro RC.
The 10-inch-span
model has tissue
over Depron.
The team of Bill Hadden, John
Hunton, Mike Dale, and Bill McMullen
presented this 10.5-pound, 98-inchspan
Handley Page H.P.42. It got rave
reviews.
Jet expert Terry Nitsch
showed off his new TeeRific
Jets F-15 up close. The MB-54
motor and Wemotec Fan unit
flew it with authority.
Alfred Fusco’s V2 Models ARF
features electronic gun sounds.
It’s powered by an E-flite 60
motor and a 6S2P pack.
This Airworld Me 262A-1a piloted by Kevin
Morse was spectacular, using Scheubeler fans
and Hacker B50-13XL motors.
Keith Shaw’s
1/5-scale Bugatti
P-100 racer
features twin
AstroFlight 05
brushless
motors
running
through a
homebuilt
gearbox for
contrarotating
propellers.
Howie Cummings of Competition Hobbies
relaxed by flying his 8-foot, 5-pound Pink Floyd
powered by a 200HT motor on 3S Li-Polys.
Tom Blakeney’s
Fantastic Models F9F
Panther makes a low
pass. This 6-ounce gem
was really impressive.
Greg Covey
sprays the
floats on
Lynn
Bowerman’s
E-flite Cub to
help it slide
over the
grass. It
flew with
authority on
a Power 25
motor.