Many of us enjoy all facets of aeromodeling and although we participate in local events, it’s always exciting to attend a few premier events before the start of our district flying season. The day after Associate Vice President (AVP) Steve Brehm and I returned from the Toledo R/C Expo, Steve drove to his favorite event in Georgia and sent us the following report.
“One of the events I find that energizes my interests in electric flying is the annual Southeast Electric Flight Festival (SEFF). This event is sanctioned by the Fayetteville Flyers of Georgia and hosted at Mac Hodges’s fabulous flying site. Before I tell you more, it is my pleasure to draw your attention to another significant event that took place.
“During the April AMA Executive Council (EC) meeting at the Toledo R/C Expo, AMA President Bob Brown presented our AMA District I Vice President Andy Argenio with AMA’s highest honor. Andy was awarded the grade of Fellow and became a Life Member in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the AMA EC.
“Since the Fellowship award’s inception 61 years ago, fewer than 200 deserving AMA members have received it. Congratulations Andy! You deserved this award and I hope others who know you will join in the chorus!
“Now back to the SEFF report. This year we were blessed with lots of sun and pleasant temperatures. Event director Matt Klos and his staff worked tirelessly to ensure that everything ran smoothly. Included in the daily venue of activities were the Extreme Speed Demos, where airplanes flew at speeds in access of 125 mph and the Ultimate Destruction Combat in which foam planes battered each other to pieces. On Thursday the Rick Vaughn Limited Run Sailplane Contest was held.
“Horizon Hobby, Hobby Lobby, Extreme Flight, 3D Hobby Shop, and others demonstrated their newest products during the weekend noon time airshows along with spectacular aerobatic flights by Andrew Jesky, Joe Smith, Seth Arnold, and others. The demos ended each day with a crowd-pleasing flight by Mac Hodges and his B-29.
“Other highlights included hourly raffles, float flying, and a Turkey Shoot with pilots shooting at foam planes with paint ball guns. There was a significant increase in multirotor and FPV flying and illuminated planes flying long into the night.
“After the barbecue and awards ceremony on Saturday night, the always-popular Night Bowling event was held where pilots try to knock down lighted pins by flying their foam planes into them. The carnage was incredible, while loud responses from the spectators ultimately chose the winners.
“SEFF was a blast and I can’t wait to go back next year.”
Thanks, Steve, for this SEFF report
