[The Flyin Hawaiian]

In October, after the Flying Giants Atlanta Huckfest, later dubbed “Hucktoberfest”, Donnie (aka Flying Skunks) and myself (aka Flyin Hawaiian), were on our way back home from Cumming, GA. Still on a high (3D Buzzzz), in our own vehicles on cell phones, we were saying things like “Florida needs an event like this!..”…”Why doesn’t somebody start a 3D event like this?..”.

Before the “Hucktoberfest”, Donnie, myself, and Lou (aka Aerolou), were forming a little organization called the “Florida Freestyle Aerobatics Club”, later changed to “Florida Freestyle Aerobatics Association”. We are like minded when it comes to Giant Scale, 3D huckin’; we are just RC pilots that like to have good, clean, Freestyle Extreme Aerobatic 3D fun. Maybe along the way we can demonstrate 3D flying to the young future RC pilots of tomorrow and help some young men or women gain interest in a great hobby. Since then, we have become almost thirty members strong. We want to organize many more “get togethers” at other RC Clubs in Florida, which was the original intent when we got hooked up with Gateway RC in Jacksonville, FL

Our event thread, here on FlyingGiants is titled “Florida eXtreme 3D Fly-In: Are You In?”. Check it out! The thread started off hot, and folks were chiming in supporting our idea. Before we knew it one thing lead to another and the right folks started talking to us, Gateway RC, in Jacksonville FL, stepped-up, and said that they would be interested in doing something like this. Thanks to Jeff Carte, the event co-coordinators, and the volunteers at Gateway RC, we got the ball rolling. That is how FX3D was born. Now after many e-mails, many threads and three months later, we have over 22 sponsors and over 70 pilots who have chimed in confirming their attendance. Many of our Northern RC 3D Dare Devils and friends want to start their flying season off early by coming down to sunny and warm F.L.A.!!! Don’t forget to pack shorts and bug spray!

Florida eXtreme 3D Fly-In, aka FX3D is a three day non-competitive event starting on Friday, February 29, March 1- 2, 2008, at Gateway RC. Check out Gateway RC’s website at www.gatewayrc.org for details, directions, and event Flyer. There will be a “Big Party” going on for those three days. Highlights are all day hucking, from Giant Scale machines to small electrics. Tail dunk contest, night flying (electrics only), Foamy Mayhem (a demolition derby), BBQ Dinner, sweet pilot prizes, and some really off-the-hook Grand Raffle Prizes (and a few surprises). Not only are we going to tear the skies up in this event, it has another great purpose, we are splitting the proceeds of this event to help out a great charity “Children of Fallen Soldier relief fund”. They have been involved in some other flying events, plus most of us have been touched in one way or another by the sacrifices of our current war.

One of the Grand Raffle Prizes to help support the charity will be an Extreme Flight RC, 74” Yak 54, with all of the digital servos, and all the high end hardware to complete the kit, provided by Mr. Chris Hinson and Extreme Flight RC. Also included in this complete Grand Raffle Prize package is a Brillelli 46cc gas engine provided by Scott Ellingson of Brillelli Engines, and 2 props from Robert Vess of Vess propellers. All is needed is batteries, switches, and a receiver (and some assembly) and you can have a complete aerobatic gasser!! The other Grand Raffle Prize is a pair of airline tickets good for any destination in the continental United States, provided by AirTran Airlines.

So all you RC nuts, family, and friends, come on down and see, or be part of, one of the Hottest Flying Events that Florida has to offer! The FX3D! I am sure there will be a photo and video flood so stay tuned!!Aloha! Rennie Ladines, FX3D co-coordinator