Florida Jets
By Jim Haught
The third annual event attracted 163 pilots and 315 aircraft to Flagler Airport in February.
Terry Nitsch gave an impressive flying demonstration in an AMT turbine-powered yellow F-18 (radio: JR). Andreas Gietz (Germany) flew a Sophia J-850–powered model and is the founder of FiberClassics. Dave Ribbe (Cincinnati, OH) checked a model carefully during a gear-pass flyby.
The MiG-15 won Best Military Jet (pre-1960). The Rafale won Best Multiengine and Engineering Excellence awards. A composite F-15 with RAM 750 power drew attention during the event. The Aggressor Jet (Cat Hot Spot) from Andreas Molar (Germany) featured turbine self-starting transmitter command. Dave Malchione (Kennett Square, PA) flew an F-4 that won the Critics Choice in the Ducted Fan category.
Category sponsors/awards
- Best Sport Jet Performance (Turbine): BVM — David Shulman, Bandit
- Best Sport Jet Performance (Ducted Fan): BVM — Rob Lynch, Bandit
- Best Sport Jet: Felipe — Bandit
- Best Civilian Jet: Airbus
- Best Military Jet (pre-1960): Air — MiG-15
- Best Military Jet (post-1960): ZAP — Su-27
- Best Military Performance (Ducted Fan): RAM — F-4
- Best Military Performance (Turbine): ZAP — T-33
- Best Multiengine Performance: Airtronics — Rafale
- Engineering Excellence: ZAP — Rafale
- Designer Achievement: BVM — Gary Mueller, F-16
- Manufacturers Achievement: Airtronics/Air Magic — F-15
- Critics Choice (Ducted Fan): ZAP & RAM — Dave Malchione, F-4
- Critics Choice (Turbine): Airtronics/BVM — Rafale
Event details
Malcolm Kay (retired, Florida/England) flew a BVM Bandit with an AMT Pegasus turbine. AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager assisted with processing member renewals. Event organizer/promoter Frank Tiano addressed the morning pilots' meeting.
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