E-Jets International
by Michael Ramsey
Overview
The success of electric power systems has been a source of rebirth, in many ways, for aeromodeling. This technology's development has excited both new and veteran enthusiasts, either permanently hooking them on the activity or re-establishing a long-dormant wonderment about aviation.
The Columbus, Ohio, area has an enormous modeling community, with a swarm of clubs accommodating almost every special interest. That abundance of activity naturally spawns innovation. Evidence of that was the introduction of the JR Indoor Electric Festival, which arguably spurred the indoor RC movement that has spread across the country. That inspired Terry Nitsch and company to create the Columbus Indoor Modelers Association to encourage and satisfy the runaway indoor RC activity.
Terry has his hand on the pulse of the electric RC community—this time with the howl and the roar that are so in tune with his Top Gun Scale contest success and activity with the Jet Pilots' Association (JPO). With The Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (TORKS) at its Field of Dreams in Grove City (roughly 8 miles south of Columbus), the JPO converted the widely popular Ohio Jet Scramble into the world-class E-Jets International.
Last year marked the event's second anniversary, and electric ducted fans (EDFs) howled from September 10 through the 13th. E-jet pilots were welcomed from Canada, Great Britain, Austria, Germany, Georgia (Russia), and across the U.S. The event attracted attendees ranging from beginners with RTF foamies to the pilot who was declared the Top Speed Champion after a three-day showdown.
TORKS created a place where someone seeking the best in electric jet equipment could see everything available. Great vendors displayed their latest goods and staffed the site with experts willing to help and answer questions. It was not only a weekend to see the best E-jet action, but also an opportunity to win a raffle or buy a jet on-site—instant "jetification"!
Venue: TORKS Field of Dreams
The TORKS field is located on the grounds of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), on Young Road south of Grove City. Boasting a 20-year lease signed in 1996, this premier flying site includes:
- A 70 x 1,000-foot asphalt runway
- A 100 x 700-foot grass runway
- A dedicated helicopter flying area
- A garage with a covered patio
- Plenty of parking
For club members, the location is a dream come true. Named the Field of Dreams, it's ideal for flying all sizes and types of aircraft, including large-scale airplanes and turbine-powered jets.
Event Details
The event officially opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m. Before and after those times, test-flying and non-electric-powered jets were welcome. General admission was only $5 per car, so the public filled the field during the weekend. The pilot fee included on-site camping (no hookups) and ample flightline space for canopies.
At the field house area, special tables were arranged under cover near the facility's electrical power box. The club set up at least a dozen power inverters for guests to use for charging batteries. That area was secure under a TORKS member's watchful eye—an especially considerate provision for pilots who weren't self-sufficient for charging or who didn't want to keep their car hoods up all day.
Lodging and food were plentiful around the TORKS field, and some of the best commercial food vendors were on-site. There was almost no reason to leave the venue during the weekend. Skydivers and a helicopter candy drop were highlights of the Saturday and Sunday halftime shows.
Flight Schedule and Operations
The flight schedule was clearly organized:
- Tarmac-only time slots: for high-performance aircraft exceeding 100 mph (any construction) with landing gear.
- Grass-and-tarmac time slots: for hand-launched, bungee-launched, and sub-100 mph models with landing gear.
A flightline boss managed the arrival and departure of all fast-moving models on the field. In a shaded tent nearby, an air-show personality read pilot information and aircraft statistics to the audience over the public-address system.
One of the most appreciated volunteer roles was the "corn dogs." No, not the food—these volunteers retrieved belly-landed airplanes from the grass and drove to the cornfield on the property to recover models ditched within. In the cornfield, a corn dog carried a tall flag and a two-way radio. Using a drop-point guide from the pilot and a helper, the volunteer quickly located and returned the model. It’s an effective system that kept the flying going.
E-Jets is similar to a full-scale air show, only smaller—making the pilots local heroes. It's fun for kids and families, and a sizable chunk of the proceeds goes back to the community and a local charity.
Top Speed Contest
More than a dozen fliers signed up for the challenge to become the 2009 Top Speed Champion. Many TORKS officials had experience directing precision aerobatics competitions and ensured fair contest rules and conditions.
Contest rules and format:
- Any aircraft was eligible, as long as it was electric-powered with a ducted-fan system.
- The course had a 200-foot altitude limit.
- Each heat consisted of three passes; the fastest successful pass recorded the jet's top speed.
- The flier launched from downwind toward the runway centerline where a radar gun was located.
Energy management and good batteries were keys to winning. Upon takeoff, pilots slowly warmed the batteries by doing a conservative climb to altitude and a trim pass. The first pass was often the best any setup had to offer. One observed pass clocked nearly 200 mph, but that aircraft overstressed its batteries and ended up in the cornfield. The winner was a smooth pilot flying a BVM model similar to the other top finalists—these jets are only starting to get fast.
Amenities, Community, and Professionalism
E-Jets International focuses on pleasing pilots and ensuring they are comfortable with event conditions. In turn, pilots get their models to the flightline more often and keep the show going.
There was a Saturday-night banquet at a nearby country club featuring good food and drink. Awards were given to people for their contributions to the event's success. The overall professionalism and attention to detail make E-Jets worth planning to attend.
Contact and Sources
Michael Ramsey [email protected]
Sources:
- E-Jets International: www.ejetsinternational.com
- TORKS: (614) 871-1384, www.torks.com
- JPO: (904) 318-7171, www.jetpilots.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
