Jake Bruckler’s BVM KingCat makes a low
flyby at the Woodland/Davis Aeromodelers’
20th Jet Fun-Fly in Woodland, California.
Jim Adams brings Monty Welch’s Hot Spot in
for a greased landing. Monty was busy running
the event.
“October 13-15 was the 20th year of the Jet
fun-fly held at Woodland/Davis
Aeromodelers’ airfield in Woodland. As
usual, it was a great success with more than
25 pilots, 38 aircraft, and great weather.
“The event began in 1986 with only five or
six ducted-fan-engine aircraft at the first meet.
Twenty years later it has grown to 38 true jetpowered
aircraft. Covered extensively by the
local television and newspapers, the fun-fly
brings out hundreds of spectators.
“The event has significantly increased the
public awareness and appreciation for the
sport, and has proven to be a viable source of
revenue to help offset the club’s operating
expenses.
“Many thanks to the members of the
Woodland/Davis club for their support.”
Mike Brown reported on the 2006 Unlimited
Scale Racing Association’s (USRA’s) event
in Parker, Arizona, October 26-29.
On your mark! The crew is a big part of
racing. This is how all the airplanes are
started.
“I was invited to photograph the USRA
Giant Scale Races in Parker, Arizona, this
past October. I’ve been to almost every kind
of event this hobby has to offer, but never
Giant Scale Racing and I was excited to see
what it’s all about.
“I was privileged to be able to travel to the
event with L&S Racing Team of Fresno,
California. During the trip I asked many
questions and they prepared me for almost
everything—everything except the actual
racing itself! It was great!
“The race starts with the Dominator Class:
an oversized Q-500-type airplane with a Moki
2.1 engine, and the racing gets faster from
there. Entries include Unlimited models with
engines such as the 280 Herbranson, DA 150,
and Arrow 200s. These airplanes are
unbelievable; they have to be seen to be
appreciated. The pylons are 1,600 feet apart
and the racers complete five laps in less than
115 seconds. Its awesome!
“Not only are these airplanes fast, they’re
beautiful and the pilots and crew members
treated me as one of their own. I’d like to tell
you more but there just isn’t room.
“I highly recommend you go to one of the
races next year. For more information, log on
to the USRA Web site at www.usrainfo.com,
and check out roughly 600 of my pictures at
http://flyinggiants.com.”
Some of Team Extra’s beautiful Unlimited
airplanes are lined up in front the pit area.
Peter Goldsmith’s Miss Ashley with a glowpowered
DA-150 is walked to the starting
line.
Fred French’s NA-50 is the fastest airplane on
the racing circuit. You wouldn’t believe me if I
tried to explain how fast this airplane really is!
This airplane is called Proud Bird and is flown
in the GT class. It uses a stock Zenoah GT-80
for power. A good flying airframe and
dependable engine are a good racing
combination.
Pilot John Lockwood (L) and his caller Mark
Stevenson. The pilot-caller combination is
extremely important in Giant Scale racing.
Till next time … Keep ’em safe and Keep
’em fly’n.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/03
Page Numbers: 163