District V—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Kris Dixon Vice President
Florida Jets 2014 (report by Paul Frankum)
Between March 5 and 8 I attended Florida Jets 2014. The event took place at Paradise Field in Lakeland, Florida.
Event highlights:
- Dates: March 5–8, 2014
- Location: Paradise Field, Lakeland, Florida
- New paved runway: 700 x 50 feet (adjacent to the grass runway)
- Nearby facility: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (one runway was shut down during daylight hours to allow the event)
- Registered pilots: 120 from around the world
- Turbine aircraft on-site: more than 200
- Weather: Thursday heavy rains (jets flew later in the day); Friday windy but jets flew all day; Saturday perfect flying weather and a busy flightline
The new hard-surface runway was greatly appreciated by jet pilots. The Imperial R/C Club of Mulberry, Florida, did a terrific job of running the flightline all week. In the jet hobby, flightline communication is critical because these models burn a lot of fuel, so gear passes and landings must be well planned and executed.
The flightline at a busy jet event is similar to an aircraft carrier operation: there is constant noise and movement, and jets sequence for takeoffs, gear passes, and landings.
The AMA was well represented with the AMA flight simulator trailer on-site. Kris Dixon, District V vice president, ran the flight simulator trailer all week, and AMA Staff Director Joyce Hager staffed the booth up front, handing out AMA literature and selling AMA merchandise.
Many thanks to Frank Tiano and his team for working tirelessly to put on one of the best jet events in the world.
Lexington Aircraft Radio Kontrol Society (LARKS) — Spring Fling (Sod Farm, April 4–5, 2014)
The LARKS club held its annual Spring Fling at the Sod Farm on April 4–5, 2014. It was an excellent event.
Event highlights:
- Official pilot count: 117
- Weather: Saturday brought wonderful weather
- Flying: brisk activity with five turbine pilots, several helicopter pilots, and many gas, glow, and electric pilots
- Types of flying: from pattern flying to top-level 3-D demonstrations
Raffles and prizes:
- Main raffle: 72 items (at last count), each selling for at least $100
- Grand prize: RTF Carbon Cub (includes radio, batteries, etc.)
- Pilots’ raffle: two Extreme Flight R/C RTF MXS airplanes (each including receiver, battery, and high-end Hitec servos)
- General raffle included: a $2,000 computer system, $430 Tag Heuer sunglasses, two RCA flat-screen LED TVs, a watch, beanbag chairs, and more
- Prizes were handed out by the Ta-tinis
A large thank-you to all participants, sponsors, donors, and workers — without you, this wouldn’t have happened.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
