Hi ya'll,
Refering to previous thread, we rounded the corner and 2003
meet is history. Thought a brief resume would be of interest.
Any way you look at it the answer would be success, good show!
Florida weather cooperated and there were 4 sunny warm days.
The 2 Gyro days were as close to perfect as you will ever see.
Vintage suffered some wind one day but 2nd was quite flyable.
It was hoped attendance would increase dramatically, that did
not happen. Apparently circumstances and other event conflicts
interferred. Even with north's lousy weather, etc. numbers were
normal.
If you have never attended this event you have no idea of how
wonderful southern hospitality can be. It just seemed those
Hernando Aero Modelers knew your desires before you did! Not
just a few, but the entire club made you so welcome in every way!
It is hard to find words to express attendees gratitude, thanks guys!
Gyros> Best description would be sky constantly had whirling wings in it. It was great to see so many different modelers having
real success. Unlike past history, with two solid days of flying there ws only two mishaps and both were pilot error, something
to be said for progress?
Variety of designs was endless, very few duplicates and that
indicates progress also?
Outstanding were 3 extra large craft. One was a "Whistler's
Grandmother", another a 1/3 scale Piper Cub with a rotor replacing the wing and one Tillson Kellett. At the opposite end of
the scale was C-D Cliff Manspeakers and Bill Friedlanders 1/2 A
size craft.
Admired performance would have to go to Phil Ploof with his
converted Sig Senior Kadet and the big Cub, Phil had these in the
air constantly and performing as one would dream a Gyro should.
Phil's effort should be noted. He showed that you can take most
any AIRPLANE, remove the wing and tie on a rotor.
How easy and simple trying an Autogyro can be?
Major component advancements (??) seen would be rotor wings-
blades. Phil Ploof has gone to the effort of producing the needed
mold and casting plastic blades, plus proof of worth with flights,
Hal deBolt showed a sample of his "Quick and Dirty Blades=wings" which also have been thoroughly flown. Complete
report on the web at www.modelairplanenews.com
Again on the following two days the sky was full of Vintage R/C
and those displayed were most admireable. Best description
would be that in flight they all would be a good match for so called
today's craft.
So it was a great time for all and a pity to have missed it!
At one time it was asked "Want to do this again next year?)
Responce was unamious, "Heck yes, just invite us again!"
Hopefully there will be detailed reports in the magazines, watch
for them!

Hal deBolt