Welcome back, everyone! It’s heating up again for the year, and this was the first of several busy months.
I opened February in Mulberry, Florida, at the Imperial RC Club for the 8th Annual Florida eJet Fest International. Contest Director (CD) Jerry McGhee always puts on a fantastic event. This year, 46 registered pilots attended from Florida, Georgia, and even Michigan. A paved runway, power for charging, and a lot of friendly faces highlighted this event that I have been attending for several years.
The DeLand Golden Hawks RC Club and CD Mike Setteducati hosted the DeLand Winter Air Fest. The DeLand club flies on a closed runway on the far side of the DeLand Airport and is an excellent example of positive community relations and cooperation with the airport manager.
I also spent a weekend in Perry, Georgia, at the Southeastern Modelers Show. CD Kevin Bartoe and the Georgia Aircraft Modelers Association ran another fantastic event.
Similar to artists, you know you’ve arrived when you’re known by one name; when modelers hear the word "Perry," they know you’re talking about the swap meet of more than 200 vendors and 120,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space that is often covered with treasures and junk. Whether you’re buying or selling (or both!), if you’ve never been to Perry, make plans to attend it.
The big day for Perry is Friday, but if you want to score a last-minute deal from someone who is not wanting to pack and take stuff home, Saturday morning is always a good day for a last look around.
If you love airplanes (who here doesn’t?), be sure to also check out the nearby Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia (museumofaviation.org).
Until next month, stay safe and fly a lot!