Author: Jim T. Graham
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 82,83
,

Born to Fly

Jim T. Graham | jgraham@rcgroups.com

A survival guide to outdoor RC events

I am a veteran of outdoor events. For many years now I have attended RC shows across this great nation of ours. Going to outdoor gatherings has allowed me to see some of the greatest pilots in the world fly, but my adventures usually go far beyond that; I have seen many amazing things during my RC show travels.

One year at the NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology) Fair, I was in a flood—a real flood, in which trailers were carried away and roads washed out. I saw coffins floating down a torrent of water, and the whole town was shut down.

I've been to events where I thought I might drop from heat exhaustion. I have experienced shows where the gnats have been so thick that I inhaled so many I didn't have to eat. I have driven countless miles on very little sleep and flown halfway across the country, all in the name of RC.

Keeping all the things I have learned along the way to myself is not neighborly, so I felt obliged to share them with you, my fellow RC traveler.

Transportation

Unless the event you are going to attend is in your backyard, you are going to be traveling. I prefer taking my truck, since almost everything I need for a show can be packed into it.

I have some handy traveling tips to help you get there in one piece and, it is hoped, in a good mood.

  • Beef jerky: This is a staple, not only of the road trip but also of the flying site. Who knows where or when the next meal might come? I buy two or three bags of beef jerky for the trip. I can't remember how many times I have realized that lunch or breakfast was going to be put on hold while we got an airplane ready to go or had to continue to shoot video because a model that everyone would want to see was up next. A bag of beef jerky is handy and can keep you going.
  • Energy drinks: I cannot overemphasize how important an energy drink is to any outdoor event. Sure it's easy to stay awake on the drive to a show; you're probably excited about all the cool things you will see. But what about the trip home? Say you got up early to fly and went to bed late to be a part of the night-flying or tell stories with your friends. The drive home can be long and dangerous, so I enhance my level of alertness with energy drinks. I keep them in the truck just in case.
  • Gas station etiquette: So you just drank three energy drinks and you're wide awake. But now you have a new problem: you have to go to the bathroom. Pull that rig over at the cleanest gas station you can find and take care of business, but remember to be cool to the station. Buy something and give back to those who have helped you. I usually buy more energy drinks.
  • Footwear: This should be extremely important to you. After all, you are going to be on your feet for days on end, and your shoes can make or break an event. This is also crucial at trade shows. I suggest that you take at least two footwear options. There is nothing worse than tromping around in wet shoes. While on the topic, don't forget to take more socks than you need. I wear combat boots to most events, but that might not be for everyone.
  • Outdoor cooking: There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to eat at an RC event. No fast food! Sure, it's easy and fast, but you could eat that stuff at home. We are in a field among our friends and nature; we must barbecue everything. I've tried it all, from gas grills to wood fires to briquettes, and I think it's all good. As long as something is burning and it involves beef, you're doing it right.

Also consider your friends. There you are, cooking savory hamburgers, and that smoky, beefy smell is drifting across the runway. Many of those around you are going to wish they had a hamburger too. Bring plenty and spread the wealth. I have gone so far as to cook bratwursts on the runway at the XFC (Extreme Flight Championships) and serve them to everyone around. It was amazingly hot, but man, they were amazingly good.

Make It More Fun!

The point of going to an outdoor RC event is to have fun, so I always ask myself, "How can I make this more fun?" There are countless answers to that question, but I'll throw out the most obvious: tiki torches.

When the sun is going down and the day is coming to a close, what is better than firing up some tiki torches around the campsite? Are you unsure that big flames are a good idea for your camping area? That's why they invented twinkle lights. A string here or there will give you that "party" vibe.

You might be thinking, "I should probably take fireworks." That is generally frowned upon and reserved for only the wildest crowds. Proceed with caution!

Getting Around on the Field

I covered my first Joe Nall Fly-In on foot. I'm sure this is fine for some, but when I have to report on an event, walking can get old and slow me down.

The next year I rented a golf cart. The liberation I felt by just sitting in it is something you have to experience for yourself. A golf cart can turn your outdoor event into a breezy thrill ride and make you "transportation central" for your friends. There is nothing quite like hurtling through the night at full speed on a golf cart.

I loved it so much that now I prowl around in the RCGroups golf cart. It has a lift kit, big tires, a musical horn, and can exceed speeds of 25 mph. I currently have my eye on a motorized cooler that reeks of "fun."

Musical Instruments

I know we are there for the flying, but you can't fly all day. (Well, some of you can.) When you have many people and lots of tents, you have to have some people around jamming out on guitars.

It should be some kind of rule that for every 20 people there should be one strumming instrument. It sets the mood and makes you feel like you're at an outdoor event. I take three or four guitars in case other people want to join in the fun.

Bringing the Event Home

While you're having the time of your life, you might want to share it with those unfortunate souls who are unable to make it. That is why the camera was invented. I keep multiple memory cards on hand. A good 2-gigabyte card should get you through a whole event.

Video is even better, but it's a pain to get onto your computer. A camcorder with a hard drive is the way to go. I make a checklist, because the last thing I want to do is forget my charger, batteries, or any other small parts I need to record my memories.

My Secret Weapon

I was reluctant to address this topic. It is, how shall I say, personal. But after discussing it with my wife, we both feel that leaving it out could ruin an event for someone.

Many times, after a long day at a show, I have seen a fellow RC enthusiast waddle over to me like a duck. There were times when I asked myself, "Did he pull a muscle?" I have been to enough events to know the signs of the dreaded "monkey butt."

(Editor's note: As wrong as it sounds, this happens. Take care of yourself.)

This condition is defined as soreness, itching, and redness, caused by the friction of clothing against skin. You might be wincing just reading about it, but nothing can put a stop to the good times as fast as that ailment.

However, I'm happy to report that I have the solution that will keep the good times rolling. Be sure to put some Anti Monkey Butt powder in your medicine kit. The last thing you want is to be at an event and not want to walk around anymore.

The Most Important Thing

People have said this many times, but the greatest thing about an outdoor show is getting to hang out with your RC friends. Sure, we probably want to see a great pilot fly the teeth off of an airplane or helicopter, and it is exciting to see the newest piece of technology on the field, but in the end, the people keep us coming back.

Many of my closest friends are from the RC world, and the only place I get to see them is on the modeling airfields that are spread across this country. Enjoy your time on the field with your buddies.

Sometimes I step back and remind myself of how lucky I am to be out there. These are memories we are making.

If I have helped only one RC enthusiast have a better time at an outdoor event, my job here has been done. I'm sure I have left out more than a few key ingredients to help make a show more fun.

If you see me at an event and I seem to be having more fun than usual, be sure to stop me so I can make note of it. I look forward to seeing all of you somewhere out there on the RC road.

MA

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.