Paul Frankum sent the following report about Florida Jets 2014.
Between March 5 and 8, I attended Florida Jets 2014. The event took place at Paradise Field in Lakeland, Florida.
This year, we were greeted with a new 700 x 50-foot paved runway located adjacent to the grass runway used in past years. As a jet pilot, I really appreciated the new, hard-surface runway.
Lakeland Linder Regional Airport sits slightly north of the new Paradise Field runway. It is great to see the cooperation of the airport staff. One of the runways was shut down during daylight hours to allow the event to take place.
There were 120 registered pilots from all over the world and more than 200 turbine aircraft on-site during the four-day event. Thursday’s weather was bad with heavy rains, but we did manage to get jets in the air later in the day. Friday was windy, but jets flew all day. Saturday was perfect flying weather and the flightline was really busy.
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 are burning plenty of fuel so gear passes and landings have to be well planned and executed.
The flightline at a busy jet event is similar to an aircraft carrier operation. There is noise, something is moving all of the time, and there are jets sequencing for takeoffs, gear passes, and landings.
The AMA was well represented with the AMA flight simulator trailer on-site. Chris Dixon, District V vice president, ran the flight simulator trailer all week and Joyce Hager worked the booth in the front handing out AMA literature and selling AMA merchandise.
Many thanks to Frank Tiano. He and his team worked tirelessly to put on one of the best jet events in the world.
The Lexington Aircraft Radio Kontrol Society (LARKS) club held its annual Spring Fling at the Sod Farm April 4-5, 2014. It was an awesome event! The official pilot count was 117.
Saturday brought wonderful weather and a fine group of pilots, spectators, and supporters. Flying was brisk with five turbine pilots, several heli pilots, and plenty of gas, glow, and electric pilots. From pattern fliers to the finest 3-D pilots, they all put on a show!
At last count the main raffle had 72 items that sold for at least $100 each. The grand prize was an RTF Carbon Cud including radio, batteries, etc. The pilots’ raffle had two Extreme Flight RTF MXS airplanes including the receiver, battery, and high-end Hitec servos.
The general raffle had a $2,000 computer system, $430 Tag Heuer sun glasses, two RCA flat screen LED TVs, a watch, bean bag chairs, etc. A great time was had at the raffle and the Ta-tinis handed out the prizes.
A large thank-you to all participants, sponsors, donors, and workers! Without all of you, this wouldn’t have happened
