158 MODEL AVIATION
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There are things in life that we must do such
as attending weddings, funerals, and
graduations. If your hobby is building and
flying RC airplanes, going to the Joe Nall
event in May at the Triple Tree Aerodrome in
South Carolina is one of those things.
My friend Steve Brehm and I were the
only ones from our usual crew of seven who
were able to attend Joe Nall 2007. We left
May 15 at 6 a.m. and completed the 925 miles
to the hotel by 11 p.m. The weather was
perfect during our five-day stay.
Joe Nall is the largest RC flying event in
the world with more than 500 registered
pilots. The Nall event represents more then
just flying Giant Scale airplanes; it’s about
visiting old friends, making new friends,
viewing the latest RC airplanes and products
and getting to speak to and fly with worldclass
pilots.
For many, the noon air shows, featuring
both model and full-scale flying
demonstrations by champion aerobatic pilots,
are the highlight at Nall.
Each year we manage to leave the event
having made a special new friend. During
breakfast at our hotel, a man named Aurelio
Montenegro and his wife noticed the airplane
embroidery on our shirts. They asked for
directions to the event so we invited them to
join us.
We thought he was just a spectator but it
turned out that he was a long-time National
Champion of Chile in F3A and International
Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) events. He
stopped competing in 2005 to pursue
Freestyle 3-D flying and he performed at the
Chile National Aerobatic shows in 2006-
2007.
Aurelio is a best friend of Quique
Somenzini so we had the opportunity to share
time with both these champion fliers during
the event. It amazes me how those of us with
a passion for aeromodeling enjoy the
friendships we make at events as much as if
not more than the flying activity. Sharing
experiences and discussing hobby interests
with people from other states and countries is
the best part of our hobby/sport.
District I is always well represented at Joe
Nall. This year three District I members
attracted considerable attention with their
huge aerobatic planes. Eli “Snap a Saurus”
Houyes, from Massachusetts and Craig from
Connecticut brought their ½-scale 540 Edges
and Bob Trueworthy had his ½-scale Pitts
Python.
The three district members flew their
airplanes early in the week and later had them
flown by the pros including Quique
Somenzini, Jason Shulman, and Mark
Leseberg who demonstrated what these
models were capable of doing.
We spent time with other friends from
District I including Bernie Liskov and John
Banks from the RC Propbusters Club in
Salem, Connecticut, and Joan Liska,
International Miniature Aircraft Association
(IMAA) District I director, and her husband
Ron.
We were dazzled by Matt Chapman’s
awesome aerobatic performances in his
improved CAP 580, especially when he
piloted the full-scale aircraft while Frank Noll
flew a Scale model and the two aircraft
performed stall turns, spins, tail slides, and
torque rolls in formation.
Ralf Losemann from Germany put on an
unbelievable noon demonstration flying his
turbine airplane set up for 3-D with two-axis
vector thrusting that allowed him to do
waterfalls, harriers, torque rolls, and flat spins
that are inconceivable for a turbine-powered
aircraft.
Another hit of the show was the
choreographed flying of Curtis Youngblood’s
helicopter with Quique’s Yak, making for
tense exciting moments and gasps from the
spectators.
Always a hit is Mac Hodges’ Giant B-29
powered by four ZDZ 80 engines. The aircraft
does spins and point rolls, and drops an X1
rocket that glides to within a foot of the
ground before it fires its own rocket charge
sending it skyward again.
On Thursday night we had the AMA
membership meeting on the grounds outside
the hangar. AMA Executive Vice President
Doug Holland discussed AMA’s financial
state then introduced Executive Director Jim
Cherry who spoke of the future of the
organization. Jim then introduced each of the
district vice presidents in attendance and
invited them to speak and answer questions
from the membership.
We lined up for the barbeque Friday night,
enjoyed the meal, and watched movie clips of
the week-long activities.
We left at 2 p.m. Saturday and arrived
home Sunday afternoon. It was a memorable
week thanks to Pat Hartness and the Triple
Tree crew.
I hope to see you this summer and fall at the
district-sponsored flying events.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
3 Sheila Ln.,
Smithfield RI
02917; Home:
(401) 231-6901;
Work: (401) 231-
5380
For a complete listing of
district officers, please see
the District 1 Web site at
www.amadistrict1.com.
D i s t r i c t I
The 2007 Joe Nall had more than 500 registered pilots and thousands of aircraft.
From the left: Aurelio Montenegro, Andy
Argenio, Wayne Ulery, and Quique
Somenzini at the 2007 Joe Nall event.
Eli “Snap a Saurus” Houyes in background
looks small next to his ½-scale 540 Edge.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/08
Page Numbers: 158