By Hank and Brian Mausolf
The greatest model aviation event took place at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina May 8 thru 15, 2010. This year was the first time the now famous Joe Nall fly-in was scheduled for an entire week. In the past it was Wednesday thru Saturday with most of the people arriving on Sunday or Monday. We usually did this to find a good spot for the camper and trailer and flew unofficially on Monday and Tuesday. For practical purposes most of us were there for an entire week regardless of the official schedule. As a result the idea was raised about expansion and the week long Joe Nall was created starting in 2010.
This event is now the largest IMAA event in the world. This year the total registered pilots were 964 up over the 820 last year. With this type of trend it should easily exceed 1000 next year. It is also the largest cooperative effort between the IMAA and the AMA on an event of such a scale. There was no count of the total people present including pilots, vendors, spectators, spouses and volunteers, but casual observation would put it at over 2000 each day. Friday would have to be the largest day in numbers as is the case every year. One could say that it stretched as far as you can see. Actually, it is about two miles from the front gate to the river on the back side of the 3D flight line. A shuttle bus service was employed to move people and equipment between the gate and the five flight lines. Running from startup each day until 9pm the bus was used by a great number of people all week long.
This year with a total of five independent flight lines there was a flight line for every type of flying you can imagine. The original or main flight line is used for scale and mild aerobatic flying. The 3D flight line at the south end with its own runway, lake, gazebo, bathhouse and food vendor is for wild aerobatics and 3D flying. It is now as large as the Joe Nall of past years just by itself. The main lake is used for float fly and boating and has seen a gradual increase in activity in progressive years. This year we even had a large RC Aircraft Carrier on the lake, the USS Joe Nall by Jerry Branch. The helicopter flight line is on the north end and has dedicated flight stations. It was better utilized this year and better attended due to the new location. The electric flight line is by the 3D area near the WW2 control tower. Utilization was low, but as the word gets out the activity there will increase as well.
Other interesting items worthy of mention at Triple Tree are the new bathhouse by the General Store, the enlarged spectator parking, and the restored 1920s air mail light that has to be seen to be appreciated. No longer do we have the dusty dirt roads of the past, but paved roads to most of the areas used. The 10000 square foot hangar is much improved this year and is the center of the Friday night barbeque and the AMA general meeting on Thursday. Additionally, a large tent hangar was erected for the overnight storage of models. This was especially handy for the very large models that could not be taken apart each night. As always the great grounds make for excellent camping and hiking with trails all around.
The vendor area was in its usual place around the food court and on the flight line. There were now vendors located at the 3D line to the south and that is expected to grow over time. As the Joe Nall grows more vendors show up giving everyone a lot of choices. Some new vendors were here for the first time such as Robart, Fox and Jet Central. If you couldn’t get it here you probably didn’t need it after all.
There were some changes to the check in and parking this year. Because this is now a week long event only the vendors were allowed to enter early to set up. Everyone else was held at the top of the hill until noon on Saturday. Even though there were many waiting, processing was orderly and carried out in a timely manner. At the top of the hill a new permanent welcome center was located where you turned in your waiver and received your arm band. You then went to the main gazebo to receive your packet if you were preregistered or to register. Spectators were diverted to a parking lot down the hill and purchased their arm bands at the welcome center.
Unlike previous years only 2.4 GHz was allowed for all flight lines. This means that if you had a 72 MHz radio, even if it is legal, it was not allowed on the property. This eliminated transmitter impounds and greatly sped up the process to get to the flight stations. It was, however, noted at the pilot brief that it would be restricted to no more than 40 transmitters on at a time. So it was strongly encouraged to turn on only when you were at a flight station. If you needed to test, the line boss would give you a spot to the side for your testing.
Continuing the tradition of last year, hangar activities were planned for the week. Mark Davidson again headed up the building of the 20 foot Goldberg Valkyrie that is coming along very nicely. If you visited the hangar you could see the amount of progress made to date. Additionally, seminars were held by both Futaba and JR for those who were interested. The interior of the hangar has been spruced up; the floor is newly painted and the models have been hung up giving the appearance of an aviation museum.
Flying activity at the main and 3D line was heavy, but orderly. If you wanted to fly you had many opportunities to do so. The noon shows started on Wednesday and continued thru Saturday. Robart and Jet Central were new to the noon show, but the regulars such as QuiQue Somenzini, Mac Hodges, Jason Schulman and the 3D Jets of Ralf Loseman and Enrico Thater were on hand along with other manufacturers. After the noon show the warbirds were allowed to fly. The pictures of the models and flying activity will give you an indication of the volume of flying and the number of models present this year.
After an absence of several years Carl Bachhuber was back with his large models. He had his 19’2” six engine B-36 along with his new C-119 Boxcar. Dennis Crooks brought his new C-123 and his fleet of fine models as well. The late Kirby McKinney’s Super “B” was there and flew with lights at night during the week. You would have to be present to fully appreciate the number and quality of the many fine models at this event. No where else in the world would you have the opportunity to see such a diverse cross section of aero modeling as you do at the Joe Nall.
As is the theme of the Joe Nall “fun, fellowship and hospitality” small events could be seen all over during the week. Small dinners and get togethers were abundant throughout the week. RB Kincaid had his annual spaghetti dinner on Tuesday. This has grown from a few of us bringing supplies to one of the regular events during the week. Cookouts each night could be found at many camp sites, some planned and some impromptu. Wednesday night was the bonfire and cookout at the 3D line complete with rock band. This now has become a tradition and attended by many. You could not help to make new friends and each year the two of us manage to leave with a couple of new ones. Many come to this event not to fly, but to enjoy the company of others involved in the same pursuits as themselves and some just to take it all in. More than once we heard comments on how nice the atmosphere was and how well everyone got along. This alone makes the Joe Nall one of the best events in the world.
Thursday night was the annual AMA membership meeting at the hangar. This event provides the perfect venue for this meeting and the opportunity to meet the AMA staff. Attending this year was AMA president Dave Mathewson, Executive VP Mark Smith, Executive Director Jim Cherry, CFO Doug Holland, FAA Representative Rich Hanson, District I AVP Andy Argenio, District II AVP Gary Fitch, District III AVP Bob Brown, District IV AVP Bliss Teague, District V AVP Tony Stillman, District VII AVP Bill Oberdieck, District VIII AVP Jim Rice, District IX AVP Jim Wallen, District X AVP Mike Brown, and IMAA President Bill Hamby.
Many topics were covered at the meeting concerning the AMA’s Strategic Long Range Plan 2010-2015. A booklet was distributed with the outline of the plan which covers many areas of concern to aero modelers today. There was a question and answer session followed by sandwiches and beverages. Attendance was good and increases each year. We consider this a must attend event at the Joe Nall. No where will you have the opportunity to see and hear the AMA and IMAA together at one place.
Friday before the noon time show the annual awards ceremony was held. A special award was made in memory of Kirby McKinney for the years of work and dedication he gave to the Joe Nall. A plaque was presented to Carol and Laura McKinney and now the hangar will now be named in his honor. The Bob Smith award was presented to Carl Bachhuber for his B-36. The Joe Nall award was then presented to WC Fischer for his contribution to the event over the years. All were richly deserved and preserve the tradition of honoring those who have contributed much to this event.
Friday night was the traditional BBQ at the hangar. I was told that 1200 tickets were sold and by the looks of the line I could believe it. Even with the great numbers everyone passed through the line in about 25 minutes. Pat Hartness himself was facilitating the lines so everyone could get through. Portions were generous and the quality was excellent as usual. Even my BBQ expert, my sister in law, said this was great BBQ as she went back for seconds. A country band played and everyone in attendance enjoyed this event.
At the pilot brief Pat Hartness announced that a new aviation museum will be built on the property and that the entire property will be turned over to a foundation so it would remain in perpetuity. A board would run the property so that future generations can enjoy the same fun, fellowship and hospitality that we have enjoyed for the past 28 years. What a great gift to the aeromodeling and aviation community.
A great deal of gratitude goes out to Pat Hartness, CD Mike Gregory and his staff, AMA AVP Bliss Teague, IMAA President Bill Hamby, and all the wonderful volunteers that make this event possible. Without their effort this AMA/IMAA event would never take place. Keep this on your calendar for next year and make every effort to attend the best fly-in ever, The Joe Nall.