Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

First Annual Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet! This event will be held in the Great State of Maine at the Sanford Municipal Airport, September 6-9. Make room for this spectacular event in your 2012 calendar, as it is not to be missed! Please join us by traveling to Vacationland to an air meet that guarantees to be a show stopper! Will have lots of flying time this year, as we are back to flying on the runway. The 2012 Air Meet will also include an area for RC Helicopters, RC Cars and lots more. Saturday night will include a pilot banquet complete with Lobster, Entertainment and an Awards Ceremony. For more information, please contact Ray Labonte @ (207)797-5196.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Phil, cant we just say the Maine Jet Rally is getting a huge make over courtesy of Horizon? :D This is going to be a one of those events that you dont want to miss. Looking forward to seeing all of you in Sept.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Phil,

Sorry Bro, ... The Greater Southwest Jet Rally turns 30 years old that weekend.. Gonna celebrate it in a big way in Waco, Tx.... I don't even think the Flux-Capacitor can help me with this schedule !!! :D Sounds like you guys are gonna have a great time, I'm sure it will be a lot cooler there as well !!! We'll be in touch, See ya in Mississippi !!! Go ahead and bring some Lobsters to Mississippi, we'll throw them in with the Mudbugs !!!!


Later Dude !!!!

Danno

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Danno,

No worries Bro wish I could attend GSW as well. See ya MAB……

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

I am planning on attending the Air meet, and after speaking to Ray in depth about it at FJ, I am even more excited. There is so much going on at one meet that it almost made my head spin. Ray and the guys from Horizon are really coming at this event from a whole new angle. Lots of new, and fresh ideas, which I look forward to seeing in motion.
If anyone else from Europe is looking to attend this meeting, then please feel free to get in touch with me, and I will be happy to assist, and answer any questions that you may have. Take a look, its far more than just a jet meet.
I have a feeling that this event is going to grow, and grow!
Regards Al

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Sounds like it will be a great time. My son and I will be attending. Put this one on your calendars.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

This sounds like it's going to be quite a depature from the earlier meets there..Im excited, will be bringing the whole fam up for this one. Sounds like there will be something for everyone there..Can't wait:D

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Looks like it's going to be a "NE" version of Joe Nall, and has the potential to become VERY big!!!

VERY COOL![8D]

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

So is it flying for "regular" pilots on Thursday and Friday only and then Saturday and Sunday are only for "demo" pilots?

Bob

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Bob that's not true.

It's open flying for the 4 days with noon time breaks for the demos on Sat and Sun.

Not too clear on the brochure.

bob

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Yes Bob, Full open flying the entire time. There will be some noon type demos for the crowd to show multiple aspects of the hobby, but for the most part it is wide open. The main purpose of the Air Meet is to introduce the public to RC in it's entirety. Trying to help people learn and find a new hobby that we all know is incredible.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Flight time vs. driving distance is going to be important this summer - and probably from here-on-out based on projected gas prices...

Bob

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Totally agree with you on that. It is getting to be a bit ridiculous.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

A bit?

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Talk to me when you start paying more than $8 per gallon! [:'(]

On a lighter note, sounds like a good event.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Let me clarify the flying schedule to make sure there is no confusion. This is an open event for all participants for the full four days. We are planning for noontime demos on Saturday & Sunday featuring some local and imported talent to enhance the event. The fact is the participants are the show. Horizon Air Meet 2012 is partnering up with the Maine Jet Rally to bring the don't miss event of the year to the Sanford Regional Airport located in Sanford, Maine. Current plans include hosting the usual Maine Jet Rally, a Helicopter Flightline, R/C Car Racing and a Combat Control Line Event. These are only a portion of the many things we have planned to entertain our fellow modelers along with what we're sure will be one of the largest crowds to gather at a modeling venue here in the USA this year. We should have a dedicated web site up and running for your online registration in the next few weeks. I'll continue to add information here as well leading up to the actual event September 6 - 9, 2012.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Hi Ray. What does this mean..."This is an open event for all participants for the full four days."? Is this a dedicated jet rally or will the flight line be open to anything? Will props and jets be mixing it up??
Thanks!
Dom

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Dom, it is an open event for jet flyers at the Jet Rally flight line, helicopter flyers at the helicopter line and car racers at the R/C Car track area. We should have more specific information forthcoming on the web site. Sorry for any confusion. We're learning as we move along, swiftly!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Wow that sounds great! I am planning on attending but like Bob stated earlier, you have to consider the distance and the amount of flying you can do before making that decision. It sound like it is going to be one AWESOME event. Thank you for responding!!
Dom

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Hi Ray,

Any ideas on RV parking this year? Now that we're back to the main runway... (which I am really glad to hear... ;-) )

Thanks,
...jim

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Dominic,

The second PDF File in Post #1 Has a map of seperate areas where each Facet of RC is planned. Jets are on the Runway.

Hope to see you this year!
Bob

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Jim, did you want a spot near the fire pit? :D

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Jim -

We're going to go out to the Sanford Regional Airport the first of next month to lay out the venues - and by venues, I mean VENUES! Along with the main runway area for the jets, we've been in contact with a local contractor to construct a top flight R/C Car track that the local club with maintain and use for the balance of the season. We plan to mow and maintain a large heli area along with a C/L circle. There was even some talk of a (albeit temporary) "pond" for boats?? I'm planning to bring my camper down so I'll make sure we have a good spot to park. If you take the link below along with the image that Phil posted above, it'll give you a good lay of the land.
[link=http://maps.google.com/maps?q=sanford+regional+airport&ll=43.394586,-70.711806&spn=0.011476,0.01796&fb=1&gl=us&hq=sanfo rd+regional+airport&hnear=sanford+regional+airport &cid=0,0,8515156546538521364&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A]]Sanford Regional[/link]
The team met last night with Pete Goldsmith and Joe Schamuhn from Horizon. I for one found it a very useful and productive meeting if, for no other reason than for the team to see the level of commitment that Horizon has to this event (and it is a HUGE COMMITMENT) and for Horizon to get a feel for the level of support that Ray has backing him up on it. I believe both parties came away impressed.

I think Ray expressed the feelings of everyone who has been a part of the Maine Jet Rally for the last decade and a half, that this event was built by you guys who come from afar to fly and we don't want to change that. And Ray conveyed that feeling to both Joe and Pete. That we are 110% behind this event and everything that it can be but we don't want the guys who come to fly to get lost in the mix. While we have the opportunity to see some VERY VERY cool stuff in the course of the 4 days (aside from the stuff you guys bring!) flying time will be paramount.

Since this is Horizon's first effort on this side of the Atlantic, they couldn't be happier to find a well established and run event at a supreme facility to partner with. In fact, while no one need tell you guys, Joe and Peter came away from their visit to the Sanford airport VERY impressed. Joe remarked that the venue where they hold the European version of the Horizon Air Meet is but 1/3 the size of the area we'll occupy.

We ALL have a chance to have something very awesome happen this summer in Sanford, something that hasn't been seen in these parts before. So stay tuned. As we know more, you'll know more!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Great update Nik. Looking forward to this one!!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Thanks John! Me too. I've been away from the Maine Jet Rally for a couple years as life events get in the way but I couldn't be more excited to get back at it.

I understand that Ray has pressed you and I into service doing Public Address work.... :) He says we'll get along just fine for some reason....

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Yep. Looking forward to it Nik.

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

I for one always make a point of attending the Maine Jet Rally and with the plans for this year, it sounds like a major, don't miss event.  (as has been said).  I might just have to get a second foamy to go head to head with Jim !  Hopefully, Ray, you will have a nice spot for RV's to hang out, but Don, I think that it would be nicer to have Jim's RV between me and the fire pit !  :D

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Doug,
I think Jim has a nomex awning on his trailer, he will be fine!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

I wish...

Actually, I'm trying to eek out another year on that old awning. Being that it is 15 years old, it's getting a bit long in the tooth...

As for being near the firepit, well, perhaps I won't have to run the furnace as much during those chilly Maine Sept. evenings.

...jim

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

And JIM if your awning starts to burn you can use that CRACKED CANOE you drink to put it out LOL looking forward to flying with you guys again this year Well at least CHARGING LOL

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

I meant to get back here and update you all on the site visit we made last weekend. But for most of you it's really old hat. The major difference between this year and recent years past will be the other activities and possibly the crowd size. As has been stated, you guys won't be the ONLY game in town over the long weekend but you'll still get center stage. If you'll recall the taxi-way to the flight line left where we trailer your planes down to their over night accommodations, the grassy area separating that taxi way and the active runway will be the heli area. There will be at least a 300' to 500' buffer between where their flight box ends and where your pits will be. The jets will still be pitting along the edge of the new taxiway that is parallel to the active. We plan to split that taxiway in half with you folks being on the side farthest from the runway while a large spectator area will be on the other half and on the grass adjacent to the active. The spectator area will be at least 250' back from the active and can be as long as we need it to be. But rest assured the pit area will be closed off to the public.

The area from the end of the tree line left to the gravel access road will be for RV parking. The taxiway in the foreground will be pit area. The control tent will likely be right around that spot. You'll be able to pit on the left of it and to the right as the taxiway bends around in the same way that gravel access road does. That gravel road will be fenced off on both sides and the public will be parking on the grass along the tree line and on some of the inactive taxiway and will be funneled up the gravel road to the spectator area

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4-01111754.jpg

This area near the fence where we enter will be the R/C Car track and the U/C circle. The tarred are (measuring 250x175 or so) will be where our food vendors will be.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4-01100829.jpg

This of course will be the flight line staging area (up to the double yellow hold line). The spectator "corral" will probably end at that marker light you see in the center leaving the area between it and the taxiway for chase staff and fire crew folks.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...4-01111909.jpg

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

You can watch the following two links below for additional information regarding the Horizon Air Meet 2012. Both sites have recently become public and are currently in the intial phases of development to help distribute information. Please check in from time to time to watch for updates as we continue to dial in the information over the next few months. The pilot/racer registration page is being tweaked and I'd like to suggest you not try to register until after April 15th to give the web designer a chance to finish up this important part of the site. I would suggest that overnight accommodations be secured ASAP. You'll find the recommended hotel listing currently at the Maine Jet Rally site. We have several blocks of rooms available at over six locations with a range of rooms at $75 - $150.00 per night. Most rooms are around $100 - 125 per night at very nice resort condo facilities. I suggest people make their arrangements soon to get the best rates and locations. More information will be posted as it becomes available.............................Ray

www.usairmeet.com

www.mainejetrally.org

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

We've made all the final arrangements for the Saturday Evening BBQ for the Horizon Air Meet. See the attached menu for a complete listing of what we plan to serve with the assistance of Foster's Clambakes from York, Maine. We were very fortunate to be able to work out a great menu selection at an very attractive price point. You'll see we'll be offering your choice of BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork, Italian Sausage, Marinated Steak Tips, Lobster or Eggplant Parmesan as the main entre complimented by a huge assortment of "Base Menu" items. Foster's Clambakes one of the most respected catering services in all of New England was extremely enthusiastic in partnering with us to provide the best "Taste of Maine" for the event. They've done events throughout New England including the Boston/Portsmouth Airshow as well as private functions as the White House. We are very excited to have been able to secure their services and provide this great menu selection.
This Saturday Evening function is open to Event Participants, Volunteers and family only. We fully expect to be feeding in excess of 500 people therefore you'll want to plan ahead and register for the event early. As part of the registration process you'll be able to make you menu selection and secure your ticket purchases for dinner. Current plans are to serve dinner at 6:30 PM with the night time show and fire works to follow. A $20.00 (give or take) meal ticket secures you a great meal, prime vantage point for the night show follwed by a couple of hours live music entertainment. This is our way of thanking you for your contribution to the success of the Horizon Air Meet USA & Maine Jet Rally.

www.fostersclambake.com

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Ray, can you shed a lil more light on where we will be able to set up tents and our equipment trailers? The legend on the brochure doesn't show or at least we are unable to figure it out from the color coding. We are trying to get an idea of how much space will be available for tent rentals vs. personal pop-up tents. Can't wait to get back up there andseek& devourLobzilla!!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

I guess I didn't realize that this thread hadn't been updated since April. I apologize! But I'm sure that you guys are current on all the goings-on for this up-coming weekend. The venue is set. The set-up will commence tomorrow and everything should be ready by the time the early arrivals start showing up Thursday. Flying starts Thursday noon! The car track has received RAVE reviews from all who have seen it, drawing drivers up from southern New England already to practice on it. The U/C crowd has been maintaining their circle all summer and the heli crowd has likewise. You guys will still have center stage but perhaps with a little different configuration as we accommodate the general public. The press on the event has been outstanding with both print and TV involved. The local CBS affiliate will be on-site all day Friday doing live remotes. The local NBC affiliate will also be filming and interviewing over the weekend for a half hour program to air later in September.

I've never been involved in anything like this before, certainly not in the 40 odd years I've been in R/C. The effort in man hours has already run well into the hundreds and given the number of folks involved in the planning and prep, thousands is not out of the question.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

RE: Horizon Hobby 2012 Air Meet
 

Horizon Air Meet videos by Jay Wiley


Part 1 - early morning set up to noontime show

http://youtu.be/E-TFaADkwPI

Matt Chapman performance

http://youtu.be/9zQ8Atd-Amw

Rob Holland performance

http://youtu.be/PzWa7eO48n4

Part 2 - other activities

http://youtu.be/c7bkJhnM7Pc

Helicopter area

http://youtu.be/Ne837NQiYfk


Jaybird - propsnapper club volunteer