The 2010 Joe Nall was one of the best ever ! Four of us from our Champaign club traveled together and met up with another club member at the "Nall" for one of those trips we'll remember for a lifetime.

The last registered pilot count I heard was approaching 1000. Due to the multiple flying sites, the flight stations did not appear to have been as crowded as in the past. Most pilots appeared to have brought at least two planes - thus one could see and investigate an unbelievable amount of different aircraft.

I was suprised at the increased number of vendors from 2 years ago. Instead of a 15-20 minute trip -it took over an hour to see what was being demonstrated, sold, or soon to be available and then another hour to go back and review some specific interests.

The Friday nite BBQ began with a line forming at 5:30 over a city block long ( must have been a lot of first timers) . In twenty three minutes ( yes 23 ) some 1100-1200 people were served some of the coldest drinks, largest cold boiled shrimp, and the best BBQ 'd pork and chicken. The traditional cookies were brought around after dinner as we listened to some great Blue Grass music--- Talk about Southern hospitality - It doesn't get better than this for RC Pilots.

After dinner - as the sun set , we wandered back to the flight line as the nite flyers were begining to have some fun. We watched a variety of planes with many different methods of illumination. A couple of pilots were so skilled (?) that they landed in the trees and only suffered friendly harassment as they climbed and retrieved their planes and started flying again.

As I've said previously - this is an event (an IMAA santioned event) every pilot should experience. Make plans now to attend in May 2011 and bring a couple of friends

 

Winter is almost gone and my winter project - a 90" Waco Taperwing - is only about half done. I purchased the plans some twenty years ago and finally embarked on this project around mid November. With the holidays, the winter IMAA meeting, E-Fest, several swap meets,and time outs for family - I now anticipate a late summer completion date.

This is the time of the year I start adding airplane events to my calendar. As I mentioned previously, 2009 saw only three IMAA events in District VI - I think an all time low. GREAT NEWS! This year we already have six events including the first ever District VI Mini-Fest at Winamac, In.

I encourage you to attend as many of these as possible - they are quite interesting , FUN, you will make some new friends, and one always leaves with new ideas or a new model to put on the "want list"

Toledo is just a few weeks away( April 9,10,11). If you have never attended the Toledo Show - it is an event that everyone should attend at least once. People come from all over the U.S. and the world to be at Toledo. It is a great place to meet old friends, to talk to the manufacturers and the noted people in our hobby, and to touch and feel all of the products we see in the various magazines and web sites. In addition, the models entered in the building contest are fantastic, the Saturday nite auction always has a large number of great models for sale, the swap meet in the hallways surrounding the convention center has many interesting items, and there are several forums on building, covering, and radio programing. If not this year -put Toledo on you calendar for a future must do event.

The Joe Nall Meet in South Carolina is coming up May 8 - 15. This is another of those must attend at least once events for all modelers and especially for IMAA members. This year will be my fourth time.This event gets better every year with separate areas for sport flying, 3-d flying, and float flying. One can see large planes of everysize and shape and see and meet some pilots that will make one really appreciate what a great hobby we are have. There are always planes for sale by pilots, a large number of vendors, too much good food, good flying, a brief air show, and friends from other parts of the country that I haven't seen for a while. Add the Joe Nall to your list - I guarantee that you will want to go again and again.

Enough for now - Keep the wings above the wheels -especially when landing

Tom G.