RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
09-17-2009, 10:33 PM
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RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Greetings from the Reynold's House Motel in historic Roscoe NY. It is from here that RCUniverse will be presenting semi-live coverage of NEAT Fair 2009, the largest all-electric R/C aircraft meet in the Northeast.
NEAT Fair is the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology Fair. The Silent Electric Fliers of Long Island (SEFLI), led by event organizer Tom Hunt, have been holding this event since 2000 at the Peaceful Valley Campsite located among the Catskill mountains in Shinopple, NY. Event goers have borne witness to the evolution of electric aircraft from the NiCd era clear through to the bargain-priced LiPolys of today.
Today is Thursday September 17th, set up day for vendors and pilots alike. Very little in the way of organized activity goes on, with the exception of the full-contact Multiplex Easy Star combat at 4:30PM. This is the day to make final adjustments and test flights on new planes brought in just for the show, to renew old acquaintances, and make some new ones.
The RCUniverse Team consisting of myself, "Papa Jeff" Ring, and Ed "Mr. Fantastic" Britton will be bringing you pictures, videos, and interviews from the show. Unfortunately, Peaceful Valley Campsite is in a dead zone; there is no cell phone coverage, no Internet. There isn't even a good FM radio signal! We'll be posting the events of the day here each evening, as long as the Internet access at the hotel is working.
Stay tuned, and let us know that you like what you see!
NEAT Fair is the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology Fair. The Silent Electric Fliers of Long Island (SEFLI), led by event organizer Tom Hunt, have been holding this event since 2000 at the Peaceful Valley Campsite located among the Catskill mountains in Shinopple, NY. Event goers have borne witness to the evolution of electric aircraft from the NiCd era clear through to the bargain-priced LiPolys of today.
Today is Thursday September 17th, set up day for vendors and pilots alike. Very little in the way of organized activity goes on, with the exception of the full-contact Multiplex Easy Star combat at 4:30PM. This is the day to make final adjustments and test flights on new planes brought in just for the show, to renew old acquaintances, and make some new ones.
The RCUniverse Team consisting of myself, "Papa Jeff" Ring, and Ed "Mr. Fantastic" Britton will be bringing you pictures, videos, and interviews from the show. Unfortunately, Peaceful Valley Campsite is in a dead zone; there is no cell phone coverage, no Internet. There isn't even a good FM radio signal! We'll be posting the events of the day here each evening, as long as the Internet access at the hotel is working.
Stay tuned, and let us know that you like what you see!
09-17-2009, 10:37 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Here is a sneak peak at what's to come from Hobby Lobby this fall! This is a 1/4 scale Waco YKS-6 prototype from Pilot-1 that Hobby Lobby may have ready for your loved ones to buy you for Christmas! Top wingspan is approximately 7 feet. Construction and attention to detail is impeccable.
09-17-2009, 10:43 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
SKS Video is on hand to immortalize the event on video and help you complete your collection of videos from past NEAT events. Their latest video captures IRCHA 2009 from Muncie Indiana, and is available on DVD and BluRay.
09-18-2009, 09:50 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
It is the end of Day #1 of NEAT Fair 2009, and I am absolutely exhausted. We had so much to do, so many things to see, it was difficult to even figure out where to start. Since a picture is worth 1000 words, I'm going to say at least 84,000 here 
09-20-2009, 04:47 AM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Friday night got COLD. When we got back to the field on Saturday morning, there was frost on the ground, and there were reports of air temperatures as low as 32! People were walking around in winter coats and gloves, huddling over steaming cups of coffee or hot chocolate.
The skies were perfectly clear, so it warmed right back up into the low 70s shortly after the sun peeked over the mountainside.
Day #2 of the NEAT Fair is the "big" day, when the last of the pilots and campers wheel in, and the crowds gather to see the show. Well over 1000 people were in attendance just as spectators. Combined with around 400 registered pilots and their families or support crew, the area between the pits and the safety fence was a tough place to navigate around noon.
The skies were perfectly clear, so it warmed right back up into the low 70s shortly after the sun peeked over the mountainside.
Day #2 of the NEAT Fair is the "big" day, when the last of the pilots and campers wheel in, and the crowds gather to see the show. Well over 1000 people were in attendance just as spectators. Combined with around 400 registered pilots and their families or support crew, the area between the pits and the safety fence was a tough place to navigate around noon.
09-20-2009, 04:59 AM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Everybody brought their A game for the Saturday demonstrations. I have tons of video and thousands of still photos to sift through.
09-20-2009, 07:49 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Well, the 10th Annual NEAT Fair is all wrapped up, and hopefully everyone had a safe trip home.
At today's noon demo flights, Tom Hunt commented that this was the best weather they had since 2002. All I know is that it's the best NEAT I've ever attended.
Once again, it was C-O-L-D overnight. Even in my relatively warm motel room, it was a little chilly and I could feel it in my toes. The valley was blanketed with a high fog, or low clouds that made you wonder if we were in for another rainy day at NEAT. After about an hour, you could see the sunshine coming up the valley as the fog burned off. It warmed up quickly, and people went from insulated coveralls and knitted caps to shorts and shirt sleeves.
Peaceful Valley Campground is turning into Peaceful Valley Municipal Airport, I tell ya! Every day we had some full-scale activity coming in on Arnold Banker's private airstrip, which NEAT uses as the main runway. This morning, three vintage aircraft came in and set up at the far right end of the runway. The owners were more than willing to show their aircraft to anyone interested. Being that close to full scale aircraft in operation is absolutely fascinating.
I've got literally thousands of pictures to sift through and I'll be posting as many of them as I can over the next few days.
At today's noon demo flights, Tom Hunt commented that this was the best weather they had since 2002. All I know is that it's the best NEAT I've ever attended.
Once again, it was C-O-L-D overnight. Even in my relatively warm motel room, it was a little chilly and I could feel it in my toes. The valley was blanketed with a high fog, or low clouds that made you wonder if we were in for another rainy day at NEAT. After about an hour, you could see the sunshine coming up the valley as the fog burned off. It warmed up quickly, and people went from insulated coveralls and knitted caps to shorts and shirt sleeves.
Peaceful Valley Campground is turning into Peaceful Valley Municipal Airport, I tell ya! Every day we had some full-scale activity coming in on Arnold Banker's private airstrip, which NEAT uses as the main runway. This morning, three vintage aircraft came in and set up at the far right end of the runway. The owners were more than willing to show their aircraft to anyone interested. Being that close to full scale aircraft in operation is absolutely fascinating.
I've got literally thousands of pictures to sift through and I'll be posting as many of them as I can over the next few days.
09-21-2009, 08:52 AM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Nice weather and best part is no cell phone coverage. 3 days of no outside connection. Back to old school 101. 1st for me and few flying buddies to get up there. We will come back next year for more action.
09-21-2009, 01:10 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Excellent coverage and pics guys! Can't wait to see more!
I was also wondering... does any one have any video of that Goldberg E-Obsession 3D plane flown during the Friday Noon-time demo that had elevator/tail flutter during flight? I was the pilot and wanted to see exactly when it happened...
She'll fly again (maybe this weekend!)
I was also wondering... does any one have any video of that Goldberg E-Obsession 3D plane flown during the Friday Noon-time demo that had elevator/tail flutter during flight? I was the pilot and wanted to see exactly when it happened...
She'll fly again (maybe this weekend!)
09-21-2009, 02:48 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
TOMAPOWA,
I believe I have video. Your position in the airshow will determine the level of "Spazz-o-Vision" in the filming, but I remember being out there with the camera when it happened.
On a similar note, if anyone out there got film of the combat demonstrations either Saturday or Sunday, I'd love to see it. Since I was flying the demo, I couldn't very well film it at the same time. One of my fellow RCU/AMP'd crew members took over the camera, and by his words, the best shot he got was of my butt as I leaned over to connect the battery... I still haven't reviewed that video yet. Maybe he did better than he said he did.
I believe I have video. Your position in the airshow will determine the level of "Spazz-o-Vision" in the filming, but I remember being out there with the camera when it happened.
On a similar note, if anyone out there got film of the combat demonstrations either Saturday or Sunday, I'd love to see it. Since I was flying the demo, I couldn't very well film it at the same time. One of my fellow RCU/AMP'd crew members took over the camera, and by his words, the best shot he got was of my butt as I leaned over to connect the battery...
I still haven't reviewed that video yet. Maybe he did better than he said he did.
09-21-2009, 03:54 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
ORIGINAL: Matt Kirsch
TOMAPOWA,
I believe I have video. Your position in the airshow will determine the level of ''Spazz-o-Vision'' in the filming, but I remember being out there with the camera when it happened.
On a similar note, if anyone out there got film of the combat demonstrations either Saturday or Sunday, I'd love to see it. Since I was flying the demo, I couldn't very well film it at the same time. One of my fellow RCU/AMP'd crew members took over the camera, and by his words, the best shot he got was of my butt as I leaned over to connect the battery... I still haven't reviewed that video yet. Maybe he did better than he said he did.
TOMAPOWA,
I believe I have video. Your position in the airshow will determine the level of ''Spazz-o-Vision'' in the filming, but I remember being out there with the camera when it happened.
On a similar note, if anyone out there got film of the combat demonstrations either Saturday or Sunday, I'd love to see it. Since I was flying the demo, I couldn't very well film it at the same time. One of my fellow RCU/AMP'd crew members took over the camera, and by his words, the best shot he got was of my butt as I leaned over to connect the battery...
I still haven't reviewed that video yet. Maybe he did better than he said he did.
Thanks again
09-21-2009, 07:12 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Time for a little action! At 4:30PM on Thursday, Tom Hunt called together all the Multiplex Easy Star owners for the battle of the century. It was a knock-down, drag-out, winner-take-all marathon.
It's amazing how hard it is to hit when you're actually TRYING!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB4PmVaLyS0[/youtube]
It's amazing how hard it is to hit when you're actually TRYING!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB4PmVaLyS0[/youtube]
09-21-2009, 07:24 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Castle Creations factory pilot Dan Landis mixing it up with his HUGE YAk 54.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR-iKYymZ-4[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR-iKYymZ-4[/youtube]
09-21-2009, 07:33 PM
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RE: RCU Coverage of the 10th Annual NEAT Fair
Here's one that probably made the flight line crew do a double-take! I wish I could've been a fly on the wall.
This is an electric model. REALLY! The owner gutted the glow engine and installed a shaft extension from the motor, which is hidden inside the fuselage.
This is an electric model. REALLY! The owner gutted the glow engine and installed a shaft extension from the motor, which is hidden inside the fuselage.