12th Annual Joe Nall Fly-In
Jerry Smith
Event overview
The Joe Nall Fly-In took place May 12–15, 1994, on Pat Hartness' private 400‑acre estate in Greenville, South Carolina. This super IMAA event was organized by the Confederate Air Force (chapter 94), Blue Ridge Miniature Aircraft (chapter 456), and the Western Carolina RC Club (WCRC).
Originally known as the Greenville Fly-In (begun in 1982), the event was renamed in honor of Joe Nall after his death in an airplane accident about five years ago. Over the years it has grown into a unique mecca for giant‑scale modelers.
Attendance and highlights
- 365 registered pilots (about 100 more than last year)
- More than 700 models (about 300 more than last year)
- Modelers from 30 states, plus international visitors (Chris and Pippa Venter of Saint Ives, Australia; John Stubbs of Rochester, Kent, England)
- Saturday‑night backyard barbecue for roughly 750 AMA/IMAA members and families, served efficiently by supporting chapters; a 25‑minute bluegrass band provided entertainment
Registration and flight operations
Contest Director Mike Gregory implemented a computerized sign‑in and transmitter‑impound system with a database. Preregistered modelers supplied their names at the sign‑in desk and received complete data folders. Assigned numbers determined flying order; transmitters were impounded and cross‑referenced in the database. Fliers were called in numerical order; when a pilot was unavailable another pilot flew. The system proved innovative and will be used at future fly‑ins.
Flying, weather, and mishaps
Models were in the air from dawn to dusk for all four days. Weather and flying conditions were ideal, and the runway was mowed each morning. Pilots received briefings to help new arrivals with takeoffs and landings.
Mishaps occurred as expected. A memorable incident involved a model striking a 100‑kilovolt high‑tension line at the end of the field—one big ball of fire and the model was gone. A photo was taken of the charred remains at the base of the tower.
Hospitality, facilities, and tours
Pat Hartness prides himself on sharing his estate with modelers. His model workshop provided tools and equipment for repairs; expert builder Eddie Clark staffed the shop and offered assistance. Popular activities included tours of the Hartness International factory and nature trails across the estate. The Saturday‑night barbecue and overall hospitality make many attendees return year after year.
Vendors and bartering
Manufacturers set up near the end of the flightline and were charged the pilot entrance fee. Significant buying, selling, and bartering also took place in the parking lot adjacent to the flightline.
Awards
Two traveling awards were presented by a panel of judges. These are not competition‑oriented awards but are given to recognize accomplishments.
- Bob Smith Award: Paul Hisey, Winter Haven, Florida — for the realistic way he flew his 1/3‑scale Cessna 206
- Joe Nall Award: Neal Kilby, Monticello, Georgia — for being an outstanding modeler and promoting model aviation; recipient received a small silver cup
Looking ahead
The 13th Annual Joe Nall Fly‑In is already being planned for mid‑May next year in Greenville, South Carolina. A larger crowd is expected. The big social event through the iron gates at 300 Smith Road remains one of the largest and most pleasurable modeling events in the southeastern United States.
Photo captions
- Silver Spring, Maryland's Andy Kane lands his G‑62‑powered PT‑19 after another successful flight.
- Larry Matlock built and flew his 18‑pound, 1/3‑scale Ford Old Timer — Super Coverite, Sig dope, G‑38.
- Noon, May 14: models were on the runway for a photo session; Hartness mansion is at upper right.
- First‑class hospitality: Eddie Clark helped with model repairs at the Hartness model workshop.
- Jim McLean's Waco UPF‑7 took three years to make: modified Ikon NW/ST kit; ST 3000; Super Coverite dope.
- Sonny Burr's Lancair, with Moki twin and retracts up, climbed to the horizon in very short order.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
