Chattanooga Invitational 3D r/c aerobatics airshow

Got a call from a friend (very accomplished r/c flyer, president of the r/c club that sponsored this event) to meet him at the local r/c field. Asked if he wanted me to bring a stunter, he said sure, why not. I've been to this field a few times just watching and meeting some local model airplane personalities, generally a great group of guys.

After lots of REALLY NEAT 8' wingspan 8K dollar plane demos, hovering feet off the ground, they had a lot of off topic demos. Bunch of electrics, trainers, small fun fly r/c, r/c helos, and unbelievably wanted me to fly a c/l plane for them. I was really impressed with how open minded they were. Yesterday my buddy flew a Sarpolus 1/2A AD-1 Skyraider while I flew the pattern with the Banshee. Today, he flew, I flew AND my son (8 yrs) flew his 1/2A flapped Wing Master all at once. Later, we went to the adjacent field and let nearly a dozen kids there watching get a turn on the handle of a couple 1/2A platters I brought along.

They announced the flyers, the planes and explained c/l a little bit. By the way, NO ONE expected what they got in watching the Banshee do the pattern. Quite a number of the members came over afterwards asking about the plane, I showed them all the adjustable features, and explained the sorts of things that have to work to make it all happen. Naturally, they were quite impressed with the level of sophistication involved. Not that it hurt my ego any, but I had a hard time convincing them that I'm rather bad compared regular competition flyers.

It was a great time, if you're coming to the Chattanooga area, I imagine they'd be great hosts if you have the opportunity to bring a plane along. They're quite willing to give up a few minutes of field time for c/l. They're new site will be done soon (a filled in land fill, the National Guard has done all the earth moving and such for the price of fuel) and that site will have a couple dedicated areas for c/l circles, which means r/c and c/l can run concurrently.

As antagonistic as things can be between groups, I thought this a great example of how it should be.

Later,

Tools,
Sounds like you had a great time. Models is models
Last time (and only time) I was in Chattanooga, about 25 years ago, it was for vacation. Had no modeling stuff with me. We saw Rock City, ate at the Chattanooga Chu Chu (and rode a little trolly out back), and visited the National Knife Collector's Museum.
Nice folks, friendly town.

sounds like a great bunch of flyers and a great time.

both local RC clubs where I live don't give CL the time of day. One even bans CL flying at the field as "too dangerous". So count your blessings and work with them. A nice CL circle takes next to no room and might expand peoples horizons.