Jets Over Deland
WITH 55 registered pilots, 85 ducted-fan models, and unlimited flying, the Deland Golden Hawks RC Club's second annual RC Ducted-Fan Model Fly-In, held January 25-26, 1992, in Deland, Florida, was even bigger and more successful than last year's premier running. Contest Director (or ramrod) Ken Basso had lots of help from his club members in putting the event together. This is a first-class operation with one of the best flying sites anywhere. The Golden Hawks' flying field has a 2,000 by 500-foot paved runway bordered with close-cut grass. The club provided professional announcers to describe the Jet models and the pilots' maneuvers. Food, soft drink, and souvenir concessions catered to spectators. There was plenty of parking space, and campsites were available for those who came in motor homes.
Jets Over Metropolis
SUPERMAN FAN-FLY's fourth annual edition was held on October 3-4, 1992, at the Metropolis (Illinois) County Airport. The event was sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Jet Pilots Organization (J.P.O.). This jet model fan-fly was the brainchild of Jerry Caudle, who is the proprietor of J.C. Hobbies and general manager of the Metropolis County Airport. The flying site has a 4,000-foot-long paved runway that is 150 feet wide. Jerry Caudle was the Contest Director (CD) and ramrod for this fly-in. He closed the airport to full-size aircraft traffic from Friday afternoon till late Sunday afternoon.
4th Annual Jets Over Deland Fly-In
The Golden Hawks R/C Modelers' fourth annual Jets Over Deland Fly-In was a blockbuster. More than 90 registered pilots and 125 RC ducted-fan (RCDF) models attended this fly-in. All of these models flew; there were no hangar queens at this meet. This year's Jets Over Deland was directed, organized, and promoted by CD Frank Anderson, who hails from Canada. Frank has been a mover and shaker in this great hobby of ours for many years. He has a broad background in modeling: free flight, Pylon Racing, Pattern, RC Scale, sport flying, and jets. Frank and assistant CD Paul Bartel did a great job putting this event together.
5th Annual International Jets Over Deland Fly-In
The fifth annual International Jets Over Deland Fly-In was held January 27-30, 1994 in Deland, Florida. This jet-together is the biggest ducted fan event in the world. In last year's Jets Over Deland article (November 1993 Model Aviation), I stated that if this event kept growing at the rate that it was, it would become the granddaddy of all ducted-fan jet model events. My prediction came true: there were 225 RC jet models and 162 registered pilots. Those of you familiar with past reports will notice that the name has been changed from Jets Over Deland to the Annual International Jets Over Deland Fly-In. With participants from 14 countries and 23 states, it is now a truly international event. Contestants came from the USA, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, Thailand, Burma, France, Venezuela, Holland, Brazil, Australia, Canada, and Switzerland.
Jets over De Land 1995
The Sixth Annual International Jets Over DeLand Fly-in 1995 was held January 26-29, 1995. The Golden Hawks RC club did it again - another successful jet fly-in, or as the British might say, "a successful jet meeting." Contest Director Al Tuttle ran a very tight show with his able assistant, Dave Valdez. This event drew 190 contestants and 280 models from Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, and the United States.
