Holy Toledo! Biff's Take!

[LeadingEdge]

Article Written by: Bob "Biff" Sadler

Well, Toledo is in the "things that were badass" file for 2006. My thoughts about the event are still keeping me laughing! The Flying Giants crew had a blast and it was sure great to shake so many hands. The Weak Signals boys really do it big, almost sensory overload. You simply can't see it all without taking all 3 days. If you've not been to the show you need to, it's a modeler's dream.

Riding up with JeeUm and Huck was a great time. We didn't have much of a lull in conversation for the long haul. Huck had the mobile command center cranking out the site and we were able to see what you guys were up to and make a couple posts on the way. Huck quickly proved himself to be one of the best gadget men in the world. If it required batteries and could communicate, Huck had it!

We arrived in Toledo just in time to head to the airport to pick up Max and Joey. We joined up and headed to the Seagate center. We grabbed some much needed rest and wandered in to the trade show to see the set-up mayhem.

It was great to see buds I'd not seen since last year's flying season. Kinda like catching up with friends and seeing what new projects they've been working on. Saw some of the new planes and products I'd been hearing about. All around, set up day is fun to watch. Seeing an empty room transformed into a well organized show is something to see.

Thursday night was the first night of the E-TOC. We were treated to some new faces with some unreal skill! I am always amazed at the level of skill of these pilots. Flying electric indoors is quit a stretch from gassers outdoors. Something like the difference between playing organ and piano. The flying was awesome, the good natured banter was funny and seeing the sequence flown by so many gifted guys was too cool!

Friday was opening day at the show! Seeing that many modelers ganged in to a huge hall to check out what's new certainly gives one the impression that the hobby is alive and well. All of the guys with booths I spoke with indicated sales were strong. Can only imagine how much money changed hands during the show,,,a bunch I'm sure! We headed to the venue and finished the E-TOC. Again flying was off the hook!!! We shot a ton of footage, had a blast reading your thoughts on the streaming vids and had a hoot with all the pilots and industry notables who sat in the hot seat for interviews!

Jason Noll was crowned champion for 2006! The other pilots certainly put out some burner rounds. To say it would be a tough job to pick the best sequence and freestyle is a huge understatement! Fred Johnson and the entire judging staff are to be commended for a fine job! Dave Moro stepped to the plate as score keeper and did a superlative job. All who helped make the event a reality need a big pat on the back!

Tha E-X-Games are always fun, seeing all the guys come in and just go for it always makes me smile. The course was tougher than it looked, some of the guys had some issues getting around the course. There were some crashes but smiles all around were the order of the day. Big ups to Devin McGrath for getting through the course in the least amount of time! Looks like some new faces are bringing it to the next level. Good times, good laughs and a bunch of fun!

The Weak Signals show was a hoot! Some of the new products were on hand, the FS-1 sim from Horizon was probably the biggest buzz product. Had a chance to play with it shortly and it's very realistic! Robert Vess was one crowded dude! His new line of props were very hot tickets! Stopped by the DA booth and just laughed! Dave and the boys couldn't hand over the goods fast enough. Robert was in the same mode. Too busy to do anything but look and smile. Congrats guys! Tons of electric stuff was on hand and a couple things we thought were going to be announced weren't. That's what I like most about Toledo! Surprise after surprise!

My Buddy Tom Krogel owner of TNT Landing Gear and TNT Elelctric Company has really worked his rear off to make both contests a reality. Tom's company has been a major producer of aluminum gear for a bunch of the kit manufacturers for years. TNT also produces custom gear for any special need you might have. But did you know TNT is also a full line hobby shop? Make sure you check out his site at www.tntlandinggear.com for a look at all he carries. Great guy and a tireless supporter of the hobby. Thanks Tom!!

It was a wonderful time running into the Flying Giants out there and just having a chat. MadMax, Sleepy, JeeUm, Joey, and Conradical did a great job having fun while getting stuff done. We all seemed to have a common idea of what to do and when to do it. Worked out great and sure cemented friendships. Thanks my friends! Special ups to our bud Mr. Greg Poppel for all his work at this event. Magilla, you're the man!

I hope everyone enjoyed our efforts and look forward to seeing you Flying Giants members on the flight line. The hobby is all about fun, I say let's keep fun as the mantra in all we do with our spare time. Enjoy your hobby!!

Thanks for being on the Flying Giants!!

Biff

[KrisW]

When I went to Toledo several years ago, I basically went into sensory overload after about 4 hours. The BADASS level at thgat show is off the scale!!!

Good report, Biff, and Co. wish I could have gone, but you only get so many vacation days a year.

[jeff sterner]

Biff,

Please explain the photo at the bottom of your post? Is that turbine in that plane?

Jeff

[ConRadical]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jeff sterner
	Biff, Please explain the photo at the bottom of your post? Is that turbine in that plane? Jeff

That sure is.. I think I uploaded more of those pics in the big events gallery. Check them out!

CG

[Hambone]

wow...we are really making progress in the world of r/c...

[AirMcNair]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jeff sterner
	Biff, Please explain the photo at the bottom of your post? Is that turbine in that plane? Jeff

Its a Carden with a Waren M54 Turboprop on it!! It was loud and very cool. The Smoke on the thing is absolutly incredable.

[G_Rod22x]

nope.
that was the one in the Somenzini booth.

[BigBird]

It is a 102" QQ Yak. Duralite is selling the turbo prop unit. Yes there was also a 35% Carden there with a turbo prop. Not sure of the details on that one. I think there is video of it flying on the net somewhere. Anyone have the link please share. JD

[Vortex]

its been a while sense i herd of torbo props

[Vortex]

how long dose the rpm cycle take?

[quentonious]

video please vidoes

[Drysdale]

Good write up Bob. Thanks for all the help from the Flying Giants crew. You and Max made this event what it is today. The E-TOC and E-X Games were enjoyed by a bunch of modelers who just could not make the trip to Toledo. Job well done, and we will do it bigger and better next year. Thanks from the crew at TnT Landing Gear Products Ltd.