With 977 registered pilots, this 2011 event
must be the largest of its kind in the model airplane world. Every type of
R/C model airplane was on display and flying at one of the 5 "Type Specific"
sites plus late hour fun with micro models at the 450 acre Triple Tree facility. As has been our practice for many years, BVM
demonstrated the state-of-the-art of jet powered models. The interest in
turbine vs. electric powered jets seemed to be evenly split at Joe Nall.
BVM shows the best of both and helps modelers decide what may be best for them
and their "at home" flying sites.
There were some 2.4 frequency saturation issues at this event.
All of BVM's JR/Spektrum equipped jets worked
flawlessly. We applied our air show experience and
did not push the envelope of safety. We avoided
low passes at extreme distance from the controlling
transmitter and used speed limiter devices on our high
performance turbine powered models. It's just
common sense and responsible behavior that all jet
pilots should practice. The grass runway was
perfect because our gracious host Pat Hartness wants it
that way.
Photo Gallery
click on images to enlarge
BVM has
always been invited to perform at the Joe Nall noontime
airshow. Here are the pilots and assistants for
the 2011 event. Dustin Buescher flew the Ultra Bandit,
David Ribbe flew the Skymaster F-16, Pablo Fernandez
flew the Skymaster Skyhawk, Gary Freeman and R.J.
Gonzalez assisted the pilots and BV flew the eMiG.
An impromptu, but
very entertaining "Hawk" threesome was performed by
Thomas Singer, Dustin Buescher, and Ali Machinchy.
These 3 superior jet pilots kept their models in near
perfect formation. The spectators surely thought
they had practiced the routine.
The Spektrum Ultra
Bandit by Chris Huhn was guided by the new DSMX
"Frequency Agile" system. This system was
developed specifically to operate in a dense 2.4
environment. Horizon tested its capability with
100 competing transmitters prior to its
ultimate challenge at Joe Nall.
The BVM Sabre ARF in
"Utah ANG" livery taxis back from an EVF demo flight.
We like the ThunderPower 6600mAh 65c packs for this
model. They allow a good
power-to-weight ratio and 6 minute flights.
We heard a lot of
compliments about Vernon Montgomery's F-100 flights.
There are other F-100 offerings in the market, but none
can match the BVM "Hun" for the serious scale modeler.
These
samples of Skymaster scale jets (and the F-80 not shown
here) were flown often by Pablo
Fernandez and David Ribbe. The grass runway at Joe Nall is "grass
done right" and offered no landing gear
challenges.
The eBandit on EVF ~3~ 12s power
and the Camo Electra on EVF ~2~ 10s power were featured
several times in the busy skies at Joe Nall. "E"
flights were timed for 6 minutes to allow a go-around if
necessary.
Ed
Ritsko's Ultra was exercised at its second Joe Nall
appearance.
It has many special effect details of lights and cockpit
goodies.
Ed's
baby girl Ella shows her approval of Dad's work and
Peanut the jet puppy.
