April 2026 - District V | Model Aviation

Welcome back, everyone! Snow flurries at my house in Florida—fun times! That hasn’t stopped me from getting out and about this month though.

The Blue Max takes place each year around the end of January. This year, I had the pleasure of attending the event, which was held at the Ocala Flying Model Club (OFMC) in Ocala, Florida. This is the second year that it has taken place in Ocala after relocating from its longtime home in Sanford, Florida.

The Ocala club has a lot more parking spaces and the ability to accommodate a large number of campers. There were 40 pilots registered in this combination World War I fun-fly and competition event that features vintage aircraft built between 1903 and 1919. Contest Director Scott Lee and OFMC President Jesse Hinds did another fantastic job. Although sketchy weather moved in over the weekend, there was a lot of sunshine and very little wind when I made the trip on Friday.

While I’m not much into competition myself, I appreciate those who possess the dedication and attention to detail that is required to do so, no matter what the discipline. This led me to pop into Kennyworld in Morriston, Florida, to spend a couple of hours observing an F5J sailplane competition.

Three men kneeling behind a large model jet on a concrete surface. — Congratulations to new turbine waiver holder Jose Ortega, who is pictured in the center, with Wayne Clark on the left and me on the right doing his sign-off at Gateway RC Club in Jacksonville, Fla.

Two men in a field with a model glider, one holding a remote control. — Bob Rembert (R), from Jacksonville, Fla., with his 4-meter NAN Challenger at the Morriston F5J event. Robin Hoon (L), of Gainesville, Fla., launched and timed for him.

Man holding remote next to a large model biplane outdoors. — Team Horizon Hobby pilot Tony Greco, from Fort Myers, Fla., is shown with his Morane-Saulnier AI at The Blue Max event in Ocala, Fla.

Replica of a vintage biplane with yellow wings on grassy ground. — This beautiful and detailed Etrich Taube was built and flown by Art Shelton of Fairland, Ind., who was doing his best to avoid the cold weather.

Three men in blue shirts and hats watching an outdoor event. — Team BVM Jets, represented by (L-R) David Warr, Bruce Pennington, and Taylor Pennington, flew the company’s Desperado, 1/4-scale F-16, and Futura jets nonstop at the Warbirds and Jets Over Puerto Rico event in January.

The object was to launch an electric-powered sailplane with a limited motor run and get a 10-minute flight. At the end of the flight, points were awarded for a spot landing and for being closest to the time objective without going over. It was an impressive exhibition of airmanship in some very challenging gusty conditions, and I saw sailplanes landing very close to the spot with times of 9:58 and 9:59.

I spent a lot of time flying gliders—I still do— and I know that it can be hard enough to land on a spot or land at a specific time, so I tip my hat to those who excel in this pursuit.

I couldn’t make it this year because of the Executive Council meeting, but the Borinquen RC Model Club in Saba Seca, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, hosted another spectacular Warbird and Jets Over Puerto Rico event. I can’t wait to get back there soon because you’re treated like family from the first day you set foot on the island.

District V