First in Flight Jet Rally - FlyingGiants Event Coverage
They're fast, they're loud, they're awesome. A whole gaggle of jets descended on Wilson, NC for the First in Flight Jet Rally and FG reviewer Nikolei was there to check it out!
It was a fast day of fast planes!
For the past 7 years, R/C jets have taken over one of the runways at the Wilson Industrial Airport in Wilson, NC for the First in Flight Jet Rally (FIF). This year, over 115 pilots attended and flew some fantastic looking jets, turbo props and ducted-fan aircraft...and is that a jet-powered R/C car?!?
Event Video:
| First In Flight Jet Rally - FlyingGiants Coverage (15 min 2 sec) |
Weather over the course of the 4 day event held attendance down a little from last year, CD Larry Lewis reported, but it was clear skies and light breezes when I attended on Saturday. Friday apparently had cooler temperatures, but a stiff wind coming straight across the runway that kept the pilots on their toes. Larry also told me there had been only 2 or 3 total write-off crashes this year, and there were a ton of spectators compared to previous years, which everyone was happy to see!
While I was there, the flight-line was consistently full with 5-6 jets in the air at any one time, with the start-up area always full with more pilots ready and waiting for a pilot station.
The detail level of the jet models always impresses me; the rivets, detailed cockpit, functioning air brake panels, operating canopies, spectacular paint jobs, and on and on! I really love adding scale details to my models, but this stuff is on a whole 'nother level.
At the end of Saturday, they gave away 2 airplanes - a 2.66 BAE Hawk and a 2.38 Hawk kits from FEJ as well as a variety of light systems, valves and other components to attending pilots. In addition to the pilot prizes, awards were given out for the best of several categories. Following are those winners:
- First in Flight "Wright Stuff" award - Bob Klenke
- FIF Fellowship award - Greg Arnett
- Top Gun Award - Betsy Harris
- CoCours D'eligance - Mike Warner
- Best Finish - Frank Alverez
- Technical Achievement - Scott Harris
- Best Military - Jeff Stubbs
- Best Military performance - Franko Di Mauro
- Best Sport Jet - Ron Stahl
- Best Sport Performance - Team Elite Aerosports
- Best Civilian - Chuck Smalfus
This was my first year attending the First in Flight Jet Rally, but it won't be my last! If you've got a thing for jets, be sure to put FIF on your calendar for next year.
Enjoy the photo flood below!
Last edited by Matt Gunn; 06-01-2017 at 09:03 AM..| Thread Tools |
06-01-2017, 07:58 PM
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Canada, ON, London
Joined Jan 2006
516 Posts
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Thanks, great pictures and video!
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06-02-2017, 08:26 PM
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United States, NC, Raleigh
Joined Apr 2008
459 Posts
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Thanks all!
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06-13-2017, 09:48 PM
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United States, NC, Warsaw
Joined Apr 2017
23 Posts
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I had every intention on going and then there was several days of rain and when stopped I couldn't go. Looks like it was a good one.
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