dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

When I retired to Seattle 10 years ago there were 12 big bird events on the schedule. Every one (Mostly older guys) brought their big gas powered aircraft that they had spent many months building.
Last summer there were just 3 events scheduled. They were dominated by big gas ARF's piloted by young people with money to spend.
Its sad.

Silent-AV8R

I assume that you exclude IMAC events from your category of "Big Bird". Too bad, first they are not all kids/young people, second they are some of the most talented pilots around. True, most planes are some type of ARF, but that does not mean that you cannot appreciate their talents and commitment to the hobby.

In October you can shuffle down the road a bit to the TIMPA field outside Tucson to see some of the best giant scale aerobatic pilots in the world compete. So while maybe what you define as a Big Bird may be no more that does not mean that big airplanes are a thing of the past.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

Yes I have excluded IMAC. There has never been more than 1 or 2 of those events/yr in the Seattle area.
I have always considered an IMAC event as very boring. Every airplane gets up and does the exact same thing. Since I am not a judge and don't know good flying from bad it gets old. Its not a good spectator sport.

Silent-AV8R

Granted not a spectator sport for sure. Are you in Seattle?? Your profile says Queen Creek, AZ.

BasinBum

My Feedback: (2)

Are you just longing for the good old days because from where I am sitting things are way better now than they used to be. Back than everyone had converted weed wackers with heavy airframes and underpowered servos. Equipment for large planes is so much better and prices are even coming down with new imports. The selection of planes including ARF's is huge compared to the old days and they fly much better as well.

What's sad is that the organizers dropped the ball on what could have been a giant scale event that is very popular where I live.

Silent-AV8R

Conversely, the point can be made that many seem to lament the loss of events, but few step up to do any. Everyone seems to want somebody else to do events for them. The thing is, YOU are part of that "somebody else".

And Mr. Bum, that is not directed at you, I just used you post as a springboard.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

I just bought a house in Queen Creek. BTW where I am is now known as San Tan Valley. I still spend the summers in Seattle.

The house I bought is a 3br2b house with a double garage.
I paid $70,000 with a 0 down VA loan and the seller paid all closing costs.
Then the GOV paid me $7000 for buying it.

Back to Big Birds: IMAC is great for participants, but you need special attributes to participate. You need excellent eyesight, cash for the airplanes, and plenty of time to practice and fine tune everything. Its not for the average modeler.

Silent-AV8R

A wise move on the summer accommodations!!! "San Tan Valley"?? I love it. I grew up in the Valley (Scottsdale) and lived in Chandler before moving to SOCAL and can see why they want to drop the "Queen Creek" label. Amazing growth out in the direction.



No real argument there, but then again I think that most big bird planes these days are not something the average modeler is really into. But I agree, it would be nice to see more non-competitive giant scale events. IMAA seems to be dropping the ball with the exception of the Joe Nall. And I do not mind ARFs, but I really have to question if we really need another Yak or Extra!! It's nice to see Aeroworks for example coming out with their ARF P-51. Troy Built has a nice larger Zero and P-47. Comp-ARF has a huge Corsair as well. So hopefully these new planes will stimulate some renewed interest in bigger airplanes.

Big_Bird

My Feedback: (1)

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Live Wire

Yep
You just don't fly them anywhere!!! like we used to. NOISE and no one builds any more

Smacka

Aw, you guys have got to get away from the "car shows" in Scottsdale and fly out her in Western PA...no noise restrictions...no bickering about who's more valid (ARF's...Kits...scratch builds, etc...)...no nonsense...just kick arse flying, frienships/fellowshipping...with a few BBQ brats to cram down your gullets...oh, and a few beers (when the flying is done) and Hornsby Crisp Apple Ciders!

Now, that's the "good life"...

Live Wire

I think I will join your club It's just a short drive
Larry K

Smacka

Yeah, well...since I love the snow, I may even survive in CO. It would take some getting used to setting my engines up for the altitude but doable...

When I am rich and famous, my better half and I are going to fly all around the US of A...RC flying, that is. We already have the trailer. Boy, if that did not sound like a redneck...

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

I tried that. You need a trailer for yourself and one for your airplanes.
Maybe this will help:

http://www.bumperdumper.com/

Red Scholefield

My Feedback: (9)

IMAA Membership has dropped to 6,439, less than half of what it was.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

IMAA? Are they still around? I haven't seen one of those events for at least 3 years.

scottrc

Come to the Midwest,most of the events are IMAA.

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

So thats where they went. Not me. I grew up in Nebraska. My high school ambition was to get to where the people did not have cow manure on their boots.

Live Wire

Hey that is a stimulas you spread it around and watch it grow

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

Have you considered going into politics? You ought to do well.

WestCoastFlyer

My Feedback: (1)

Dirtybird, for the past five or so years, the Dusters R/C Club in Woodburn, Oregon has an event in late June called "Bigger Birds Over Woodburn."

From what I can tell, the Dusters has a lot of members flying big gas airplanes. I was out there a few weeks ago and saw three drop dead gorgeous giants. The big models are very seductive! They fly by and you start thinking to yourself, "I'll need a trailer, 4K for the airplane, extra storage space - it's doable!" lol.

Seriously, there does seem to be a lot of big bird ownership at the Dusters. If you have family down here in the Willamette Valley you should consider spending a week down here and I'll bet if you drove out to the field every day just to hang out you'd see plenty of big beautiful airplanes, and I know you'd meet some great people too, regardless of the size airplane they were flying.

Live Wire

I would not last a week I would put it on the dead plants

Oh there is going to be a bunch of big birds at WBOTR next week end 4 Miles west of AULT at Drake

wingstwo

My Feedback: (42)

The IMAA appears to be a shadow of what it used to be.

Just checked the IMAA News section of their website
and the last NEWS posted was in June? Nothing going on.

Wonder what the true membership number is now?

Their Secretary told us it was 11,000 several years
ago. But they were growing back then.

Its too bad.

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Check out a 'local' here in AZ: www.airshowrc.com for a $189 special (87" Edge 540!) and what happened to QSAA?

wingstwo

My Feedback: (42)

Sadly QSAA went out of business years ago.

Jim Van Loo (IMAA PRES), Roger Smith (IMAA Director and Editor)
and Don Vineyard (IMAA Sec) went to the last QSAA event, in
Vegas in an attempt to have QSAA blend with IMAA.

But sadly, they closed their doors and stopped holding
their once a year Giant event in the desert.

Those were the good old days of giant scale. IMAA
was growing and QSAA had a tremendous event, bringing
in participants from around the world.

Including the famous fellow from Germany with
his giant jets!