Radio Control: Jets
TOLEDO SHOW: The show just gets bigger and better every year. Congratulations to the Weak Signals for a great national event. Maybe my reaction to all the excitement was driven by the great participation by the jet segment. It seemed as if everyone was there. An additional factor was the activity in turbines. Every jet model manufacturer expressed plans to introduce turbine conversions. Several are developing turbine shroud/tailpipe installations. Most notably, all five AMA-approved turbine engine manufacturers were present and showed displays. Ground run demonstrations were conducted several times a day by everyone at the outer grass mall. It was just impossible to keep up and take it all in at once. (Public credit to Kent Landefeld for the new first-class look in the overhauled Jet Pilot's Organization booth.)
Radio Control: Jets
JET FLYING reaches new heights in late summer and fall. Two outstanding jet meets in the Midwest are famous for level of activity, quality of participation, and new product introductions: Heart of Ohio in late August and Superman in early October. Rather than review the meets, I'll discuss the new products shown at them, and my next report will present some of the individual entries. RA Microjet: Turbomin USA in Florida has been renamed RA Microjet or RAM. The company will still distribute Turbomin engines, and is introducing a new line of turbine engines produced in the US.
Radio Control: Jets
1997 Scale Nats: Even though Scale competition is usually reported elsewhere in this magazine, it's still of interest to us jet modelers. Jets compete on an even playing field with other types of models in Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Scale, and it's interesting to see the results. At this year's Scale Nats, jets competed in Expert Scale. Greg Hahn was the winner, flying a magnificent B-25, and Garland Hamilton and Terry Nitsch scored strong second and third places respectively. Their competition was close, and was not decided until the final flying round.
Turbine America
THE SKIES OVER INDIANA filled with the sound of jets as Turbine America returned to Muncie June 13-15. The skies also remained clear of rain, providing ideal flying weather, which resulted in full use of facility parking on grass fields (most of which were gravel-covered by the time of the AMA Nationals in July). Turbine America was again held by the Jet Pilot's Organization (JPO) with the intent of informal fun flying for all and a showcase for our manufacturers. An earlier decision to require JPO membership (which proved unpopular and counterproductive) had been overturned. The resulting turnout was successful, considering that the meet occurred concurrently with one in Belleville, Canada. Unfortunately, this was the only time which the National Flying Site was available and the schedule conflict was unavoidable. Fliers and spectators streamed in all weekend, and by Saturday an estimated 56 aircraft and 44 pilots were actively engaged.
Radio Control: Jets
Jet Pilot's Organization (JPO) Jet America Meet 1997: The 1996 Turbine America Meet will have a sequel at the AMA Flying Site at Muncie June 13, 14, and 15. The format will be similar to last year's, with informal flying for ducted fans and turbines. Major manufacturers will focus on informal flying, technical ideas, and new products again with flying demonstrations, static displays, and sales tents. Last year's turnout was reasonable, considering that it was a new event and the initial announcement was late; however, a much larger turnout is expected this year. There will be facility improvements for spectators and contingency parking in case of rain. The AMA site is outstanding, with two paved 70 × 700-foot crossing runways, and a huge adjacent paved ramp area. This is the JPO's equivalent to the Nats - I hope to see you all there.
