Author: Jennifer Orebaugh

Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/10
Page Numbers: 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42
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National Electric Fly-In

by Jennifer Orebaugh

AS PART OF the AMA staff for more than 12 years, I’ve attended my share of events, volunteering for many. This time however, my involvement was different.

As MA’s new assistant editor, I was asked to take photos and write about the National Electric Fly-In (NEFI) on June 10-12 at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center. How could I say no to my first writing/photography assignment—especially when it was right in my backyard?

I really couldn’t since the CD, Jay Smith, is also my boss! It was a chance to see some really cool electric-powered aircraft fly, meet AMA members and make some new friends, and benefit a couple of worthy causes.

This was Jay’s second year as CD, and by now he knew the routine: setting up tents, requesting volunteers for positions, and gathering vendors, sponsors, and raffle prizes was a breeze.

He brought the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) back as the main charity organization for which part of NEFI proceeds would benefit, along with the National Model Aviation Museum.

ARF provides shelter, medical care, and love to neglected and abandoned animals until they can be adopted. This year, ARF needed help more than ever after floodwaters from a severe thunderstorm washed away much of its food and supplies. Thankfully, no animals were lost in the floods and all were temporarily housed elsewhere or went to foster homes.

Castle Creations again stepped up as the event’s main sponsor, and many other companies, manufacturers, and distributors donated prizes for the daily raffle drawings, many of which were RTF, Bind-N-Fly (BNF), and ARF (not to be confused with the other ARF!)

Buddy-box flights were available, and AMA introduced the new “TeamAMA” education trailer, wrapped with a 3-D collage of aeromodeling photos.

Televisions were hung on the outside of the trailer creating a flight simulator station, which “newbies” tried out before heading to the buddy-box tent.

It’s amazing how many different types of electric-powered models there are, and those at NEFI were no exception! Small foamie combat wings, RTFs, ARFs, BNF models, scratch-built aircraft, gliders, helicopters, and electric ducted-fan jets … they were all here!

First Person View (FPV) was even available. Kevin Hines traveled from Roanoke, Virginia, to provide FPV “video rides” to those attending. Kevin, in accordance with AMA safety guidelines, took video “passengers” for a ride. Passengers wore the goggles, and Kevin flew with the transmitter via direct line-of-sight. Even seasoned pilot Frank Noll, representing Futaba, took a flight with a different perspective than what he’s used to.

This year's event drew participants from across the country and a few well-known names were added to the pilot roster. Jet pilot Bob Fiorenze came from Florida with his gorgeous EDF jets, including his T-38 Talon, Yellow Aircraft F-14, BVM Electra, and his scale Bell 222 helicopter. The crowd was wowed by his precise maneuvers and low-flying passes at incredible speeds. This master pilot is well known for his flying abilities and his incredible skill of building beautiful models.

Don Belfort of West Chester, Ohio, was back again, this time bringing his scratch-built Miles and Atwood Special. It is a pretty little green racer that, as a full-scale aircraft, was a part of the Cleveland Air Races. It zipped through the sky making those of us on the ground wish we could have seen the real thing. Don was a master at flying it in graceful, speedy turns around the site.

Dave Grife of Coldwater, Michigan, traded back and forth between flying and spotting with Don. He brought several models, including his Travel Air Mystery Ship and de Havilland Mosquito. Both models were beautifully built, and Dave has had them for a number of years; the Travel Air was built back in the 1990s!

Bob, Don, and Dave weren't the only pilots who showcased their talent and aircraft during the noon demos Friday and Saturday. Ready2Hobby flew its foamies, including the SR-71, F-15, and F-22, all of which were also displayed in the company's vendor booth. William and Jacob Ramsey flew their Compass Nano 500 and Miniature Aircraft X-Cell Furion 450 helicopters. Jacob also flew an E-flite Carbon-Z Yak 54, sold through Luke's RC Planes (another vendor), although it didn't fare too well after a collision with the pavement. Luke was seen later at his trailer, gluing the pieces back together and teasing Jacob mercilessly.

As the day progressed, Mother Nature became more unpredictable. She unleashed her fury late in the afternoon and showed us what she had. With 70 mph winds and tornado warning sirens going off, everyone hit the deck—or more likely, the bathhouse or their cars—seeking shelter and safety.

The storms went through quickly and furiously, knocking over tents and port-o-potties and scattering debris. A few people, with airplanes and chargers soaked and nothing to fly, decided to leave, but nearly everyone stayed. As the sky cleared, it again filled with models until 5 p.m. when the official event ended and open flying began.

Chris de Graaff organized "night bowling" for Friday night fun. Consisting of LED-lit airplanes and plastic bowling pins or cones; the object was to knock the set of pins off of a table with the airplane. Everyone had a great time and there were many laughs.

As if the first storm wasn't enough, another gusty storm rolled through overnight, shaking campers and vendor tents, and scattering anything left out in the elements.

With the runway pavement still wet, Saturday morning saw pilots venture out to make sure their tents and awnings were in the same place they left them, and to see if they could help fellow pilots who weren't so lucky.

While cleanup ensued, many people checked out the swap meet, sponsored by The Munsee Skychiefs, which was taking place at the Claude McCullough Educational Facility, part of the National Model Aviation Museum.

By mid-morning, temperatures started to soar along with aircraft. The skies were still slightly overcast at that point, which dampened the ALES Soaring event. The pilots waited until afternoon to attempt any kind of flying.

The Warbird Pylon Races started at 11 a.m. In a bid to attract more competitors, Jay opened up the competition to all airplanes, not just warbirds. Michael Ramsey, Pat Mattes, and Chet Merwin raced each other around the pylons and each took home a Thunder Power battery for their participation.

Saturday's noon demo attendees were also treated to a little 3-D flying. New kid on the block, Joe Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana, a team pilot for both 3D Hobby Shop and Futaba, was amazing to watch. It's hard to believe he has only been flying for a few years. Hopefully he will return next year to show off his awe-inspiring flight maneuvers.

Bob Pannell was another addition to the show. With his award-winning UPS DC-10, he had all eyes drawn to the sky. The DC-10 looked like the real thing in the air, except for the low passes he was making. If the full-scale cargo hauler did what the model was able to do, "What can Brown do for you?" could take on a whole different meaning—I doubt packages would get to their destination in one piece!

A real treat during the demos was seeing the WAA-08 (Wings Across America 2008) airplane, called the Squirt, and meeting its newest pilot, Don Jiskra. There was special significance behind Don being here to receive the airplane (see sidebar for the entire story), and it was an honor to see the SQuIRT's designer, Stevens AeroModel, hand it over and help Don fly it.

I always have to laugh at foamie Combat, and Saturday afternoon was no exception. It is a riot to watch! The sky filled with little foamy wings diving this way and that, trying at all costs to avoid slamming into each other and being broken in half and spiraling to the ground. Everyone seemed to have a great time trying to bump the next airplane out of the air.

As the second day wound down, the last of the raffle prizes were given away; everyone who came away a winner was pleased with the prize he or she was able to choose. Robert Stone won his share of good things to take home, thanks to purchasing more than 300 tickets. Given the chance to win cool prizes while helping raise money for charity, it's no surprise that most in attendance stepped up to participate.

The pilot/vendor/volunteer pizza party on Saturday evening has become an official part of NEFI, instead of a big sit-down barbecue or catered meal. Pizza from Papa John's was ordered, and everyone sat under the big tent, laughing and recalling the events of the weekend. At one point, some of the pilots and volunteers commandeered the microphone and gave their thanks to Jay and the staff for putting on a great event. Heads nodded in agreement that anyone who left early because of the weather missed out on a great day.

NEFI wasn't over quite yet; a few people hung around and flew after hours, and a few more were still there after dark to see some night flying. The night-flying contest didn't disappoint with brightly lit LEDs on the airplanes.

True RC's Dan Naumowicz won by applause with his plain, white foamy biplane. He had hollowed out strips on the underside of the wings and glued LEDs into them, to make the whole airplane light up. His prize was a nice-looking Futaba jacket.

Sunday morning was still official "NEFI flying," and although there were a few diehards, most people started packing up, ready to head home.

There were many compliments from those who stuck out the storm and flew to the end. Although attendance was down, with only 69 pilots, people had a great time, met new friends, saw some incredible demonstrations, and flew to their hearts' content.

With many thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and especially the pilots, NEFI raised nearly $3,000 to be split between the Animal Rescue Fund and the National Model Aviation Museum.

We look forward to a bigger and better National Electric Fly-In next year—let's hope it is without flying port-o-potties though!

And I hope the CD enjoys this article ... seeing as I sit right next to him in the office at AMA and call him "boss." MA

Jennifer Orebaugh [email protected]

ALES Competition Results: Contest 1, Friday, June 10 (Reggie Sewell, CD):

  1. Dan Meyers — Ava-E flapped
  2. Mike Nemzek — Radian
  3. Greg Prater — Radian
  4. Mark Groves — Radian Pro

Contest 2, Friday, June 10 (Reggie Sewell, CD):

  1. Dan Meyers — Ava-E flapped
  2. Mark Groves — Radian Pro
  3. Mike Nemzek — Radian
  4. Greg Prater — Radian

Contest 3, Saturday, June 11 (Ed Franz, CD)

  1. Dave Wrinkle — Radian
  2. Ed Franz — Radian
  3. Joe Jones — Radian
  4. Greg Prater — Radian
  5. Burt Jones — Radian
  6. Mike Nemzek — Radian

Sources:

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.