The Combat event is always popular with both pilots and spectators alike (above left). This detailed little Cub (above right) features an opening
modeler has adopted the technology, a large percentage of the weekend’s pilots have. Gone are the days of walking up to the pin boss, asking for your frequency and either taking it, or waiting for your fellow modeler to finish flying and returning said pin. While this event still has this station, it is-
n’t nearly as busy as it was the first time I came to this event. The flight line was self- policing, no real crowd, no real standing to await your turn. People with similar aircraft usually took to the dome at the same time. In front of the flight line is Spektrum
Lake, something Terry and his dad dreamed up back in 2007. Who says float flies can’t happen inside? Terry took a break from his activities and flew his ParkZone Night Va- por with floats installed, designed by Joe Malinchak. Terry flew the model off the lake and landed it on the lake many times in the span of one battery, giving me enough time to set up the shot. The addition of Spektrum Lake has pushed many a modeler into designing not only floats for models but in some cases, ded- icated amphibious airplanes. It certainly is a lot of fun and adds a dimension of flying
door, bungee landing gear, struts and engine detailing. Dave Naylor started with a stock Parkzone Cuband detailed to the level seen here.
not usually found in other indoor events around the country. Wandering around the show by late after-
noon I noticed more modelers coming in and signing up. I figured if I was to do any flying, now would be a good time before the air space became crowded. I started by flying the Park- Zone Champ and getting re-familarized with the dome. It seemed bigger and if you thought the same, we would be right. Back in 2008, the original golf dome was heavily damaged by a storm and as such had to be re- built. Unfortunately, the 2008 JR Indoor event never happened, but fortunately by the time the 2009 event came around, we were all rewarded with a slightly larger dome! Even inside that dome, the little Champ would get small quick. After landing the little Champ on the run-
way (another nice feature provided by Terry and his staff), I made a quick inventory of my items and headed to the hotel. The crew has worked an arrangement with the nearby Ra- mada Inn since the show’s inception and the fact that the hotel is all but across the street and very reasonable is just what makes this show all that more enjoyable. A quick meet
up with friends, and a visit to a Mexican restaurant was all it took to get me ready for the next day. Saturday is always busy and is usually
the busiest day of the three-day event. Ter- ry’s father was busy with the microphone announcing everything from the hourly raf- fle prizes to what the scheduled flying time was. My attention was soon drawn to a very unique aircraft carrier. Peter Sripol, who is active on RC Groups, had been busy build- ing something that was more akin to Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, than an electric meet. A fully scratchbuilt aircraft carrier that featured four brushless motors and worked similarly to helicopter rotors to levitate, and move forward, reverse, bank, yaw, almost anything a helicopter would do. Peter also allowed pilots of micro models
to launch off the deck of this futuristic car- rier. The vessel flew all weekend, much to the happiness to all who saw it and, yes, it does float. Peter ended up winning the award for Pilots’ Choice for his ingenuity. Based on Peter’s past scratchbuilt projects and this one, don’t be surprised if we see more from this talented young man.
John Pipchok flies in a holding pattern (above left) awaiting a landing. This Boeing 737 was designed by Peter Sripol and featured navigation
FLYING MODELS
lights. This FJ-2 Fury (above right) is a kit that is sold by Dave Agee at
www.foamyflyers.com. The model flew fast and slow equally well.
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