RDRC Fly-for-Tots - Awesome Event photos & discussion

[RobertV]

Well, the Raleigh-Durham RC "Fly-for-Tots" event is now history. And it was absolutely awesome! There were 134 registered pilots (from many states), certainly 300+ airplanes, wide ranging demos by some of the tops names in the field, great prize raffles, and TONS of flying fun! We also raised an emormous amount of money for our charity "Smiles for Little Faces" (more details will come later).

We'll start posting all the event photos and comments here to give you an idea of just what went on. We hope you join the fun next year because it's only going to get even bigger and better!

[RobertV]

I'll start by giving you an overhead view as taken from Jeff Foley's (well known RC Scale competitor and Team JR member) Stearman biplane around 11:00 am on Saturday morning. Jeff did some LOW fly-bys for everyone and then graciously raffled off a fantastic ride to a lucky winner that he took flying later that afternoon. Thank's for your support Jeff!

As you can see, the field was "buzzing" with activity. The flight line was filled from end-to-end with tents and aircraft. And the parking lot was also just about full. Not only did the participants show up in force, but the general public also came to see all the action in very large numbers!

[toprudder]

All I can say is WOW.

The way this thing started snowballing during the planning stages, I was worried that we might be overwhelmed with parking or concessions. However, everything seemed to go well. Larry did a GREAT job planning this thing, and a LOT of club members pitched in to help as needed. This really makes me proud to be a member of the RDRC club.

My son, Matt, and I camped out on Friday and Saturday night. I started out on Friday doing some huckin with my Gee Whiz Bee along with David Jones, but my engine quit in a hover and busted the wing and fuse. Gave over, Man!!!

We got out our foamies, I flew the Zero and Matt flew his Cap. I had just installed some glowire (www.glowire.com) on his Cap, so we flew that on into the night. Chris Hockaday from Hobby Lobby flew a LOT while he was there, and even flew an LT40 after dark!! I was holding the 10m power spotlight on his plane while he flew. I said "watch out, there is a tree over there" at which time I took the spotlight off his plane for a couple of seconds and pointed the light at the tree. Of course, he could not see the plane during those two VERY LONG SECONDS, LOL. I think he said something about cleaning out his pants after that. :-)

For some of the more illuminescently challenged, we had several floodlights next to the flightline, and had several foamies in the air at one time. It was almost midnight before Matt and I went back to the camper for the night.

Matt sure had a lot of fun. It seemed like everytime I turned around, he had a transmitter in his hands. And usually it was someone else's transmitter!!! After the flying wound down on Saturday, Jerry Smith let Matt fly his "Spoiler" which looks like a 3D version of his "Big Boy". Matt put on a pretty good show with it. Add that to the list of planes Matt wants. :-) Saturday night, I heard something going on behind the shelter, Matt was flying a small electric heli that Chris Hockaday brought. Chris's dad Dave was holding a light and they were trying to get Matt to land the heli in one of the trash cans. Next they had him running a gas powered truck up and down the runway, one of the guys from KC Hobbies put a glow stick on it so he could see it. That was hilarious.

Turbines, Helis, Outlaws, Warbirds, night flying -- awesome!!! The sponsers really came through with some great prizes. Good people, great flying, lotsa fun. Looking forward to next year.

[jongurley]

Same thing Robert, I had a blast,, tons of planes and people,, I have attached two pics one of each end of the flightline, tons of planes,,, and when will the video be on flyinggiants,,

[toprudder]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jongurley
	Same thing Robert, I had a blast,, tons of planes and people,, I have attached two pics one of each end of the flightline, tons of planes,,, and when will the video be on flyinggiants,,

Fred Midgett shot a LOT of video for this. He said the final product would be in about three weeks, but he hopes to have a "quick take" sometime this week on his website, http://www.higherplaneproductions.com/. I've been very impressed with Fred's work.

[RobertV]

You've seen shots of the event from Jeff Foley's Stearman. Now here's a great shot of his airplane.

[RobertV]

People began rolling in early Friday and, of course, had to get in some flying after setting up camp. Here's Tean JR member Jeff Holsinger from Xenia, OH flying his Jetcat Titan powered CompARF Eurosport jet in preparation for some noontime demos on Sat. and Sun.

[RobertV]

Anthony Wiencek from Raleigh, NC also got some stick time on his very nice, 3W 75 powered Ziroli P-47.

[RobertV]

Here we see a late evening visitor to RDRC field. As Bob Richards said "I've seen people arrive at fly-ins many different ways, but this is a first!".

[RobertV]

Saturday was the BIG day for the RDRC Fly-for-Tots event and the action was non-stop after CD Larry Lewis briefed the 134 registered pilots in the morning.

[RobertV]

Here's a composite of some of the sponsor banners displayed on the opposite side of the runway.

[RobertV]

Some of the action.........

[RobertV]

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[RobertV]

Jeff Phillips and company (Danville, VA) brought out their flight simulation trailer featuring Horizon Hobby's new "FS-One" product on two huge screens. They treated both pilots and spectators alike to the thrill of RC flying.....a very well done rig! Their "Radio Active Airshows" team travels to many model and full-scale airshows each year.

[RobertV]

There's MANY more photos to come! I'll just add them as I can. By the way, all of the ones that I have been posting are from RDRC member, newsletter editor, and all-around great guy, Jim Charbonneau. And it's obvious he's a great photographer, too! Thanks loads, Jim!

Those who attended the event can feel free to upload your pics here too. We want to see them all!

Robert Vess