Joe Nall Week
TRIPLE TREE AERODROME HOSTS THE MOST PILOTS EVER
by Chris Mulcahy
"Awesome" has become a word that is thrown around too easily, usually describing trivial things. Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier was awesome. Neil Armstrong stepping off the Lunar Excursion Module onto the surface of the moon—now that was awesome!
Something else that can be described as awesome is what is probably the best RC aircraft gathering in the world. Located in the innocuous town of Woodruff, South Carolina, the Joe Nall event truly is awesome.
Before we dive into all of the airplane stuff, did you ever wonder why it is called the Joe Nall event? Joe Nall was the name of a close friend of Pat Hartness, founder of the Triple Tree Aerodrome, the event's venue. Pat and Joe shared a passion for RC aircraft. After Joe passed away, Pat renamed the annual event in his honor. More information about the history of Joe Nall can be found on the Triple Tree Aerodrome website.
The Triple Tree Aerodrome is a large aviation sanctuary that doubles as a full-scale field. Although the event began as an International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) Giant Scale–only event, it has evolved into a larger, all-encompassing gathering.
There are several flightlines set up:
- The main flightline, from where most of the scale aircraft, jets, and sport fliers operate.
- The 3-D flightline, where low, down-on-the-deck 3-D-style flying takes place.
- A flightline for small electric-powered aircraft, located halfway between the 3-D and the main flightline.
- Two CL circles, the newest addition to the Joe Nall lineup, catty-cornered to the electrics.
- The helicopter flightline, near the main entrance, showing that helis and airplanes can get along.
- Float flying from a large, beautiful lake behind the electric area; there are also a couple of smaller ponds used by float planes and RC boats.
Back behind vendor row (or in front of, depending on your perspective) are the food vendors, which do an impressive job of keeping the masses fed and watered throughout the event.
There are almost as many campers as there are airplanes at Joe Nall. You can see everything from small two-person tents up to the most luxurious motor home you've ever seen. With two large bathhouses on-site, camping at Joe Nall can be a great experience.
The action doesn't stop at sundown. Plenty of flying continues into the night, as does the forging of lifelong friendships.
The event statistics are mind-blowing. There were 1,484 registered pilots—an enormous number—representing all walks of life, young and old. Modelers attending usually travel with at least one other person. Include the large number of spectators, and attendance numbers skyrocket.
Pilot breakdown:
- 578 pilots on the main flightline
- 314 pilots on the 3-D flightline
- 355 pilots at the electric flightline
- 81 pilots at the float-flying area
- 63 pilots at the helicopter flightline
- 21 pilots at the CL circles
- 72 pilots who free-wheeled between flightlines
There were pilots from 45 states and 10 different countries. By the end of the weeklong event, there had been roughly 10,000 total guests.
There were aircraft of all shapes and sizes at the event, from the smallest electrics to the largest of scale aircraft. Of the larger airplanes, Bill Hempel certainly had one of the largest: his 65% Fokker Dr.I triplane. With a 16-foot wingspan, it almost looked like a full-scale aircraft on the runway. Powered by a 3W 546cc, 48-hp four-cylinder engine and a 43 x 13 propeller, and weighing in at a svelte 121 pounds, the Dr.I hops into the air in a matter of feet and can practically land and stop on a dime.
There were many impressive performances from classic warbirds of all sizes, an ever-growing jet presence, and even an excellent duo flight with an airplane and helicopter courtesy of Kyle Dahl and Andrew Taylor.
This event is a popular way for vendors to show off their latest models, and it is a good opportunity to see a new model you've been reading about and talk to some of the people who helped develop it. It is always great to see companies connecting directly with their customers.
Spectators remained entertained during the noon demos and had plenty of flying and models to check out during the rest of the day. Bob Sadler kept the crowd engaged with his emcee skills during the demos, and it seemed as though he knew nearly everyone there.
Golf carts were the most popular method of getting from one flightline to another, but there was also a bus shuttle service for those who preferred not to walk. One of the many nice things at Joe Nall each year is that you rarely see a golf cart with empty seats traveling between flightlines—most people will stop and pick up hitchhikers for the rest of the ride.
Plenty of magical things happen at Triple Tree each year, and this year was no exception. A special guest was honored before one of the noon demos. Army Staff Sgt. Scott Millican was on his second deployment to Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath the vehicle in which he was riding. Scott suffered multiple fractures and was left paralyzed.
As part of the Wounded Warrior Project, Chief Aircraft donated to Scott a beautiful Krill Extra 330 that had been finished by Oversprayer Custom Painting and Designs. We loaded the airplane onto a trailer and took it out into the center of the flightlines where Scott was introduced. He accepted the airplane and gave a short speech thanking all of those who had contributed to his recovery and for giving him some enjoyment in a hobby he loved. He then taxied and flew the Extra around the flightline with grins all around.
We all thank Scott for his service and sacrifice, and wish him luck with his new airplane.
The action doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Many pilots take to the skies with their latest night fliers, and some of the most unusual and wonderful aircraft light up the sky. Friends get together and grill out, telling stories until the wee hours, while others are already sound asleep, ready to wake everyone else up with the Dawn Patrol.
Whatever your taste for RC flying, there will be some of it at the Joe Nall event, and more than anything, you will find some of the nicest, like-minded people you will ever meet.
Everything at Joe Nall is made possible by the crew at Triple Tree and, of course, Pat Hartness. Let's also give a big thanks to CD Mike Gregory and co-CD Charlie Lasley for taking the helm of such a great event.
—Chris Mulcahy [email protected]
SOURCES
- Triple Tree Aerodrome — www.tripletreeaerodrome.com
- Robert Vest Photography — www.robertvestphotography.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
