Huckfest & The AMA. Like Chicken & Biscuits!

[madmax]

Huckfest & The AMA. Like Chicken & Biscuits!
It brings us all great sadness to announce the FlyingGiants Connecticut HuckFest has come to an end; the canopies have been packed, along with our birds, sad goodbyes were spoken to friends new and old, and the Woodstock field is once again quiet. I’ve had some time to reflect about not only the weekend’s activities, but moreover, an uncanny modeling partnership which has been forged between two friends; The Academy of Model Aeronautics, and The FlyingGiants.

It’s not April Fool’s day, and I’ve got a very cool story to tell.

Some of you may have heard on the boards here at FG that The AMA was coming to the CT Huckfest. I figured we may have a district rep show up, and my initial mindset was “uh oh, someone saw a video they didn’t like”. When Elie told me that not only the rep was coming to the show, but the entire NE AMA contingent, with special guest DAVE MATTHEWSON, the President of The AMA, I was a little bit confused. If you would have asked me 4 years ago if the AMA would attend a one of our 3D Huckfest events, I would have assumed we were in some kind of trouble.
A little background…

In the earlier days of 3D modeling, there was a ton of conflict between groups with varying modeling interests. It was very common to see 3D guys getting a bad wrap, and many battles have been fought, and lines drawn in the sand over this style of flying. You’ve all undoubtedly experienced this first hand at some point, but today, things are very different. Folks of all ages have accepted 3D as a legitimate skill, and as a community of modelers, and we’ve learned to respect one another’s interests. There are many parallels between Warbird / 3D guys, and the skier / snowboarder riff’s of the late 80’s. They now share the slopes, and we’ve learned to share the field, all with growing levels of mutual respect. The excitement of 3D modeling is what brought myself and throngs of newbies into our fledgling hobby, and it’s cool to see the transition that has taken place.

I’ve spent a lot of time with Mr. Matthewson in the past, and Dave is bringing a very refreshing and new perspective to his position within the organization. Dave is a very friendly and approachable dude who spends much of his time at events walking the flightline talking, listening, and making friends with modelers just like you and me.

Well folks, times they are a changin’, and this past weekend was a modeling first! The AMA and Dave Matthewson were not only our guests of honor, but the primary sponsor of the event, and the Huckfest is one of 4 events they sponsor annually. The entire FlyingGiants Staff, all of our members and friends in attendance were blown away at the level of support the AMA provided us including bringing in some of the area’s greatest pilots for the show, helping with registration, working the raffle, and keeping the fun and excitement alive. At the end of the day, these guys are dudes just like us, and we had an absolute blast with the AMA boys!

Also, up in these parts, we’ve got a very cool friend named Andy Argenio who is The AMA District 1 Vice President. I’ll describe Andy like this – throughout the weekend, you would constantly hear traveling groups of belly laughter on the flightline, and looking over, Andy was seemingly always in the middle of the action. Andy’s help along with the support of Les Watson, Barry Schubert, Steve Brim made this reunion and event possible, and moreover fun. You guys are dear friends of FlyingGiants, and a huge asset to modeling. –THANK YOU -

Those of you in the NorthEast who made the hike, witnessed something very special, and you were part of an event that truly embodies the essence of what this FlyingGiants thing is all about – fun, like minded folks who share a common passion for good times. This weekend was nothing but. Looking around the flightline this past weekend one saw strangers who have never met yukkin’ it up like old friends, and having the time of their life! Safe as always, with zero drama, this was yet another first in 3D modeling, and is a sign of great things to come.

Next year we’ll certainly be back, and we hope the AMA boys will too along with all the folks who could not make it. I’m glad I did, and thanks for letting me pop in for the coverage!

Special thanks to:
Elie Snapasaurus Houyes - for the amazing hospitality
Greg Kitman Popple – For the continually killer job announcing the event and keeping the action going
Steve Sleepyc Cinch – For doing all the behind the scenes work that goes into this stuff
Joe Papa Stek – For all the support, and driving 14 hours to support the event
John Tank Banks – For escaping IMAC for one weekend and turning on the kill rate
Craig cbk07 Corsten – you’re always a blast dude. ;-)
The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Woodstock Flying Club & Bruce
All of The Huckfest Sponsors

Best – Max Duncan & Staff

[madmax]

FlyingGiants Staff and The AMA Crew




Dave is the king, and we're not worthy. ;-)

[scalefreak]

Awesome!!!! Great coverage guys!

[SleepyC]

Man, this weekend was amazing. Hardcore 3D Hucking done safely, and with the support of the AMA.
I am really looking forward to an AMA that recognizes 3D flying as an important section of the RC hobby. Dave, Andy and the rest of the AMA bigwigs in attendance were very genuine, and completely approachable. As Max stated, all these guys are just R/C brothers that happen to hold office in the AMA.

I can't wait to see where this takes the hobby.

Again, Dave, Andy and the entire NE AMA contingent thanks so much for coming out, it truly was a pleasure meeting you.

[Dino69]

CT HUCK FEST was off the hook if you miss it well your just have to read about.

I like to thank all of the FG staff they did a great job of putting on the first Ct huck fest for me it was great to see a few old Friends and make a whole bunch of new ones on the plane side now, A very special thanks the Elie for opening up his home to all us for the after party the food was off the hook, sign me up right now for next year and i plan on dragging a few more Thunder Tiger guys to the event next year for the hucking at the house FF sorry about the apple tree Dino

[Wojcigitty]

The event was a huge success. Events in the Northeast have gotten much larger due to Andy, who has always tried not to just hype up all the events that he can, but to get as many 3D pilots there as he can, like me and catman. He's really breathed a lot of life into this region. And he can fly pretty good too.

Kitman, you gotta be careful with that mic next time. I met at least one person who actually believed that Sleepy was a former member of the village people.

[chrome350]

Who won all of those good raffle prizes??

[catman3070]

	Quote: Originally Posted by chrome350
	Who won all of those good raffle prizes??

we felt bad for the destruction of Elie's house, apple tree, grass, pau plane burning, neighbors, and a foamy that we all found out burns to non existence within about 2 seconds. He just received a new electric Katana so a DA 85 would be the correct engine of choice for Elie. Also would need props and a radio sysem.

Can't wait to see this thing hover

By the way if anyone has a party and has a fire going, watch out for a 3 foot high kid who loves to burn 40% planes (also flies helis in his non pyro events)

[Kitman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wojcigitty
	The event was a huge success. Events in the Northeast have gotten much larger due to Andy, who has always tried not to just hype up all the events that he can, but to get as many 3D pilots there as he can, like me and catman. He's really breathed a lot of life into this region. And he can fly pretty good too. Kitman, you gotta be careful with that mic next time. I met at least one person who actually believed that Sleepy was a former member of the village people.

What make you think I was kidding!!!

[Kitman]

This Connecticut Huckfest was totally off the hook, what a ground breaking event too! AMA and FG at the same event, NEVER thought I would see it! Andy, Dave, Barry, Les, Steve and the Woodstock RC Club, worked very hard in conjuction with FG to make it all happen!

Next year, don't miss it!

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by madmax
	John Tank Banks – For escaping IMAC for one weekend and turning on the kill rate Best – Max Duncan & Staff

No problem Max! I had a blast. I even pulled a benedict arnold and did some hovering! Got my fill for the year with that! I gotta admit I did enjoy hitting the sticks with the kill rate turned on! I want to see the vid and pics of the inverted slip rudder-drag!!!

[snap a saurus]

	Quote: Originally Posted by chrome350
	Who won all of those good raffle prizes??

Basically most people got their prizes or were contacted and arrangements being made for delivery, thanks to all who came, I am still recovering.