RADIO CONTROL: JETS
Delmar Ellis, 8877 Meadowview Drive, West Chester, OH 45069
Jet meet: Muncie, Indiana — June 7–9, 1996
The first U.S. meet specifically for gas turbine–powered jets will be held June 7–9, 1996. The Jet Pilots' Organization (JPO) will host the event at the National Flying Site in Muncie, Indiana. JPO and the AMA Jet Special Interest Group will support and staff the weekend event. The field will be open for informal flying, setup, and checkouts on Friday, June 7.
The goal of this meet is to introduce turbine-powered flying, demonstrate safe procedures, and provide everyone an opportunity to observe, shop and compare, and learn.
Those already involved can show off their aircraft, have a great weekend of flying, and help share their turbine knowledge. While turbines have been demonstrated and flown at other meets, this will be the first meet tailored to showcase gas turbines. (Ducted fans will share in the open flying throughout the weekend.)
Reasons for the meet
Several reasons motivate a turbine meet. Foremost is pending action by AMA to incorporate turbine-powered models into the Safety Code under a set of regulations designed to promote safe and responsible flying. The regulations were prepared for AMA Executive Council review and approval at the February 1996 meeting. More details will be forthcoming. The meet will provide a great way to introduce safety procedures.
Another reason for the meet is the growing number and variety of gas turbines on the market.
Engine availability and manufacturers
- JPX has introduced new T250 and T260 turbine versions.
- SWB will release initial production of the SWB-4 20-pound-thrust engine early in 1996. Their 15-pound-thrust SWB-5 is scheduled to be available by midyear.
- Golden West, a California company, is now responsible for production of all Schneider, Sanchez, Schreckling FD 3/67LS engines. They are also providing sales distribution in the U.S. The engines are factory-assembled and balanced.
- Thunder Tiger has indicated plans to initiate production/delivery of their engine in mid-1996.
- AMT (Netherlands) is in full production of their Pegasus engine. At least one has been imported into the U.S.
- Other sources are reportedly near production.
AMA issued approximately 16 permits in 1995. With engine availability increasing for 1996, many new fliers are getting into the act. We're hoping for a large turnout at the meet. The event will provide a weekend of fun and informal flying, without any competition or awards. This will also be an opportunity to visit AMA's model museum and to talk with AMA officials.
Proposed activities
- Open flying for turbines and ducted fans
- Manufacturer flying demonstrations
- Specific times for scale-model demonstrations (without others in the air)
- Manufacturers' seminars
- Manufacturers' product-display booths, with an emphasis on turbines
- Speed traps — for information only; there will be no competition
Fees and registration
There will be a $25 flying fee ($20 with preregistration) for this event. Admission and parking will be free for fliers, pit crew members, and AMA members.
Detailed information regarding this meet, advance registration, area motels, etc., can be obtained through your local JPO representative, the author, or the CD listed in the Model Aviation "Contest Calendar."
I hope to see you there. Many manufacturers have already indicated that they plan to attend. We should have a hot time!
The ideal jet field
We all have our own ideas of what would comprise an ideal jet-flying field. In reality, most of us utilize our local club facilities, whatever they might provide.
With the introduction of gas turbines, the availability of suitable fields becomes a greater concern. Most jet models eat up a lot of ground (and sky), and turbine models don't spool up quickly for last-minute go-arounds. They also present a challenge in bleeding off speed and spot landing.
What makes an ideal jet field? Several features come to mind:
- A long straightaway (1/2 mile or more)
- A clear overfly area
- A paved runway at least 800 feet long
- Smooth grass runoffs at the sides
- A flat grass runway area for emergency belly landings
- Sufficient pit area and a protected spectator area
- Room for turbine startup (25 feet from others)
- A location away from homes and public areas to limit noise concerns
- No proximity to a full-scale airport which might limit the flying ceiling
There are a number of other considerations, including prevailing wind direction, on-site facilities, and parking space.
We're fortunate that there are a large number of great model-flying fields available to us. However, I wonder how many of these fields are ideal for jets? In my area (Cincinnati, Ohio) there are several usable fields, but none are ideal.
My club's field, although beautifully manicured, is a long way from ideal. It has a 245-foot paved runway, backed by grass runoffs. Flying space is less than 1/2 mile in all directions. A Viper at throttle takes only 10 seconds to do a full lap around the periphery — that's tight!
The best feature of the club is its great, likable, cooperative group of fliers.
A nearby example: The Country Club (Hebron, Ohio)
In looking for a suitable field to conduct AMA's turbine testing, we have found what may be the ideal jet field. In Hebron, Ohio (east of Columbus) a full-scale airport is under conversion for RC models. It's been the site of the Jet National fan meet for the last three years. The site has also been used for Giant Scale and Helicopter meets.
It has undergone significant development improvements and now provides many features of the "ideal jet field," such as:
- A 2,800-foot paved runway (widened to 50 feet for 800 feet, centered to the flying stations)
- Smooth grass transitions along both edges (the airport landing lights have been removed)
- A smooth, flat grass strip immediately adjacent to the paved strip
- A deep, cleared flyover area
- A large fieldhouse with a huge covered picnic patio, a hobby shop, and indoor restrooms
- A paved taxiway from the runway to the fieldhouse
- A tall cyclone fence to protect (and contain) spectators
- Large parking areas, a large staging and pit area, and plenty of space for tents
- Adjacent camping and RV facilities
- A built-in public-address system
- It's within 1/2 mile of a dragstrip — our noise is insignificant in comparison
This field is appropriately called the Country Club, and its resident RC club is the RC Eagles. While the club is small, it draws fliers from a wide area of Ohio; these include nationally recognized fliers from several different categories.
The Country Club seems to be close to the "ideal field." I just wish it was close to my backyard in Cincinnati. It's so ideal that it's only a two-hour drive for a day of jet flying (especially turbines).
I'm sure many of you jet modelers have a favorite field. How about sending me a photo and a description of your field, along with your thoughts about how it handles jets (with or without turbines)? I will try to share your input with the readers.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
