AirShow Chile 2009

[Radioactive]

Imac is alive and kicking in Chile South America. A few months ago, I received an email from some new friends Mr. Cristian Casa”Casitas”, Mr. Christian Bravo” Bravo,” and Alan Main” Kiwi”, expressing their desire to have an IMAC Judging seminar. Along with the judging seminar they wanted training for aircraft trimming, a setup session, followed by a full blown air show.
I really had no idea of the level of commitment, and determination our new Chilean friends had, until Mr. Carlos Paez “Imac Latin America Liaison”, and I stepped out of the LAN flight to Chile at 630 Am.
Shortly there after, along came a chauffeured van, with non other than Kiwi, and Bravo. And off we were to the hotel to grab a nap, and then head-out to the field for the kick off of a great week!
After a short rest, and shower, we found ourselves at a downtown outdoor restaurant for lunch. Our guest decided to order the local full blown grill”Pareilla” on your table, which included meat, and various specialty items. Next was a huge surprise, as the grill arrived, with not only various “killer” steaks, but several local delicacies, that were a bit foreign to us. Cow’s udder, tripe, blood sausages, kidney, liver etc…. Needless to say this Florida boy passed on that, and watched the local favorites quickly disappear by the Chilean group. My good buddy Carlos was all over the native delicacies. Frankly no amount of red wine, or Chilean beer can get me going on some of those treats”, However when the razor clams arrived, I ate them all, and I’m still “dreaming” about those jewels!!
It’s almost impossible to fully describe the flying field. Did I mention it has Heli fields, off road, and asphalt tracks for cars, a lagoon for boats, and float flying? U-control,. 800 foot plus hard top runway for jets, and airplanes. Center court in this Mecca is a full blown clubhouse with a full catering kitchen, showers, bathrooms, and a furnished social area with large flat screen TV/Video etc. Can you say Aviation Paradise?
Our first day consisted of helping pilots trim, and setup their airplanes for IMAC competition. After several hours of flying many different airframes, it was time to prepare for the IMAC judging Seminar. We were escorted to the club house where we found a long table with 30 plus seated pilots waiting for our power point presentation of the IMAC rules, and regs.
Carlos Paez, led the seminar, and frankly did a marvelous job. With us tag teaming; we talked about each of the Aresti individual families. I want to express a huge thanks to Wayne Matthews, Chief Judging Instructor, for allowing us the luxury of using his very well refined presentation, which Carlos and I proceeded to translate into Spanish. It was very rewarding to see the pilots grasping the new concepts and contributing to this most interactive presentation.
We started the training at 7pm. Shortly after that, our chef for the week, proceeded to bring out a multiple course dinner, that was fabulous .Of course along came some more fantastic red wine, and all of the trimmings. I must confess, I truly think our Chilean counterparts really know how to live life. A little red wine, and the red IMAC rule book, a bunch of motivated pilots, turned into an impressive night, ending around 12AM... At that time Carlos and I looked at each other, and said enough. To our surprise the pilots asked for more. Somewhere around 1 am, we ended out first day in Chile, with huge smiles everywhere, and firm handshakes, on who was going to get the first “Zero” as IMAC flying competition. judging was starting in the morning. Kiwi, was beyond himself, and was realizing a dream of his. IMAC had arrived and was here to stay. A guy, if you don’t know KIWI, this guy is non stop enthusiasm, and bleeds IMAC!!!
Day Two dawned with another perfect yet hot day. The best was about to arrive!! AJ “The Animal”, and Kevin Young arrived from their all night Delta flight. Being the animal AJ is, he proceeded to jump on airplanes, and help trim, and setup some more “rides” for the weekend. The next thing I knew, they had Bravo’s DA 170 off, and adding more right thrust to complete the retiming of this beauty. It hit the air shortly after. To see Andrew throwing it down on the deck was beyond description. The cameras were “Clicking” non-stop! Around noon, and after another fabulous clubhouse lunch, we prepared to get the IMAC competition going!
Billy Hemple and Matt Bottos arrived at the field, and completed the American team. Guys, if you haven’t seen Matt, he is one very talented Heli pilot, and frankly one of the best in the world today. The Champion Billy Hemple arrived a bit under the weather, from some tainted airport food. However the next day Billy was in the “Mix” and throwing it down. Did I mention, a 50% cub showed up also today? A team Chile assembly was about to begin latter in the evening.
It was a pleasure to judge two rounds of Basic, Sportsman, and Advance. It certainly looks like some “killer” talent is emerging in Chile. These guys have the “Precision-bug”, and we look forward to seeing many champions come from Chile.
We headed over to Bravo huge warehouse for a huge Barbq, and building/assembly party on the newly arrived Hemple 50% cub… Dam this thing is a monster for sure!
Cassitas, Gonzalo, Andres, and the local leadership got the grill going, and guys it was a night of building, eating, drooling on this monster cub, and watching AJ throw it down with some indoor foamy flying. Gosh, its 2am, time to hit the sack. Cub is now on its gear, stabs, and rudder are hinged, and glued, motor is mounted, and ready. It was team work the whole night!!
The following day was the opening day for the Air show Chile 2009… planes, turbine jets, and helis, gliders, heli’s scale war birds, etc, were everywhere, several hundred spectators were showing up, and the day was off to a great start. The flying was spectacular, with all disciplines of “RC” represented! It was non stop flying all day. As Carlos said. The smell of kerosene from the jets was “Heaven” to him.

As dark approached, the biggest Baddazzzz mosquitoes I’ve ever seen or felt arrived, which sent us all packing to the city for a night of fun, and laughs….
After an awesome dinner we decided to strap AJ, Matt , and Kevin, into a quad bungee chair, and try and make them puke… to no avail, those fools, did nothing but laugh, and experience several g’s!!
Saturday night the Club’s Board of Directors organized an awesome banquet. The “Chef” once again threw it down; with a five course dinner. Each of the visiting American pilots was honored with a beautiful glass plaque. This wonderful evening was crowned with Andrew, and Matt flying indoor foamy, and heli demo’s under the big tent. Man these guys can throw it down!!
Sunday arrived quicker than we all wanted too One more day of flying; then it was back to the good ole USA to work! The huge 50% Hemple cub roared to life, and quickly become the “Focal” point of the show on Sunday!
The entire spectator field stood person to person along the fence, and watched Billy do the honors on its maiden flight! Nothing short of exceptional and pure pleasure to see Billy ring the cub out. The entire team beginning with Andrew flew the huge cub. When my turn came up, it was pure fun, and a privilege to fly such a wonderful master piece! I’m already scheming how to get one of these past Linda!!
Guys, and Gals from Chile; we thank you for such an awesome week, and we look forward to spending another AIRSHOW CHILE/IMAC together next year.
Viva Chile!!!!
Since i took close to 500 pictures: use this link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/flyinghamiltons/Chile2009#

[Radioactive]

guys, let me know if you need any of the pics, they are huge files at max res. I can send them to you....later..don

[Animal Jesky]

Don,

You summed it up great. We had an awesome time down in Chile and the locals are really excited about flying IMAC. Just a great time had by all who attended.

Andrew

[Radioactive]

Andrew, thks, again, it was a total "Hoot" to fly with all of you,not to mention a premiere flying site!!

[skymaster68]

Don, thanks again for what you did with us in Santiago, it was an honor to have you and Carlos here teaching us the real staff.
I hope to see you soon in Miami or anywere hopefully in a competition as the first Chilean pilot in the US!!!!
VIVA IMAC !!!
Great pictures also, I think I did well on the BBQ.....

[carlpaez]

Don…great pictures!..... Man…what a great weekend we had!
First ,let me thank the “Club de Aeromodelos de Chile” for the invitation to be part of this event and to be able to share with all of you our experiences with IMAC , the seminar with Pisco Sour and the Steak dinner was the best ever! , I will definitely recommend this to our BOD in the US, to implement this training method, it does work (J); the enthusiasm from all of the pilots in all the categories, the excellent flying, the outstanding flying machines flown by great pilots, not many “Zeros” were given!!!! What else can we ask for? …..Working together we will bring Chile to the International world of IMAC.
Special thanks to Allan , Cristian Bravo, Cristian Casas (Casitas), Andres, Gonzalo, Mitchell, Pablo , Mauricio and all the guys from the club, your hospitality was definitely
the best, we did not only enjoy every moment but the most important we made a lot of new friends.
The 50% Cub assembly party-BBQ was awesome; I couldn’t believe that it was put together in 3 evenings! After the impressive first flight test, I guess the engine was installed correctly!!!!…. I had a drill in one hand and a glass of rum in the other!!!! (L)
The Aeroshow was one of the best I been at, Andrew, Kevin, Bill and Matt together with the JETS RC team put a hell of a show! Pictures say it all!
Like Don said, we will not miss the next one!

[Radioactive]

Hi Carlos, you did a jam up teaching job brother!!! Look forward to seeing you out there again soon!!!
Viva Latino America!!!!

[skymaster68]

Hey Don, Carlos, don't worry guys you will be visiting us sooner than you think !!!!

[cjbravo]

Carlos, Don...... Whats Up...... I did send you some pictures but Carlos email keep returning, Thanks for everything guys.. and let talk..

[Radioactive]

Hola Amigo, todo esta muy bueno!!!
How's your winter going ? Keep the barbQ going mate.. we look forwrd to seeing you guys again!!!
Don

[Animal Jesky]

Have you guys had any more imac contests down there? Please keep us informed how they are going.

Andrew

[Asantelices]

Hi Don, Carlos and Andrew
The winter is late!! (lock the pictures). IMAC continue going, great pictures of second IMAC contest (4/5/2009, San Bernardo).

The next contest (5/17/200), we starts with Unknown, expected lots of “Zero”, such as your like

see you soon!

[Radioactive]

Amigos!!! Muy buenos dias a todos!! Awesome pictures, looks like Cassitas is on the grill again!!! It's all about the LUNCH BABY!!!!!
Congrats guys,, Looks like more IMAC members, remember.. mini-iac.com, join imac, and get all lthe benefits of membership!!

[BoneDoc]

Great report Don. This should be a Leading Edge article IMHO!

[Radioactive]

Josh, how are you brother, the only thing missing here was our 3dhs electrics.. man they had one electric pattern ship, but nothing like the 3DHS Fleet... the 51" slick in my favorite.... Our 87" SHP is just a Hoot with the Hacker,for that matter... our entire HAcker Fleet is Badazzzzzzzzzzzzz....
I Trust you and the Family had a Blessed Easter...The Lord id so Good to All of us!!!
Stpehn has NJROTC Graduation on May 1st... so SEFF is out for us.. man we so much looked forward to flying with you guys...plan on next year!!
God Bless:
Don