High-Voltage action

Model Airplane News, Apr 2003 by Bell, Rick

THE LARGEST NEAT FAIR FLY-IN EVER by Rick Bell.

Take more than 1,000 electric-powered models, two days of glorious weather with light winds and an Incredible flying site, and what do you have? The 2002 Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair-the largest ever gathering of electricpowered models. Held on September 13, 14 and 15, 2002, for the third year at the Peaceful Valley Campsite In Downsville, NY, the NEAT Fair was a resounding success. ft hosted almost 300 registered pilots-with some of the most technologically advanced electric models-from 37 states, two Canadian provinces and another foreign country, and 31 vendors and nearly 1,200 spectators. If you've always believed that electric models are limited to floater types with marginal performance, then attending the NEAT Fair will definitely change the way you view these models. All types of model were represented: giant-scale warbirds, gliders, ducted-fan jets, pattern and 3D-capable models, pylon racers, FSB high-performance sailplanes, helicopters, scale, sport, park flyers and ornithopters down to the smallest 3-channel models. The huge turnout is a testament to the growing popularity and advances that are being made in this facet of the RC industry; it's definitely a sign of better things to come for the electric modeler.

IT'S SHOWTIME!

It takes more than a great venue to make a great event; you need lots of help and organization to keep things running smoothly. Premier electric modelers Tom Hunt and Bob Aberle were the contest directors and the driving forces. They enlisted help from members of the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI), the Grumman Wingnutz and the Connecticut Silent Flyers to help run the impound and flightlines and perform other duties.

The Fair officially started on Friday, although many pilots arrived on Thursday and quickly filled the nearly 100 available pit areas that stretched about 1,500 feet. This was a big weekend! The flightline had 10 pilot stations, and the park/slow flyers were stationed on the last three spots on the right end of the flightline. This proved to be a good idea, as it eliminated possible conflicts and midairs with faster moving models; it wasn't unusual for several models to fly at the same time. To fly during the event, the pilot first had to retrieve a frequency pin and his transmitter from the impound. At the flight line, the pilot was assigned a flight station and a spotter, if necessary. This system worked quite well throughout the weekend, as nearly 800 flights were logged!

I didn't expect to see so many notables at this gathering. Among the famous were Dick Miller, Tom Hunt, Bob Aberle, Bob Kopski, Nick Ziroli, Keith Shaw and Henry Parquet. This was the place to learn everything about e-powered models!

NEAT ACTIVTIES

There were many things to see and do besides watching the many models that flew constantly. Friday and Saturday featured noontime demonstrations, night flying, seminars, award presentations and more. During the demo flights, the many models flown highlighted the diversity and capabilities of electric models. The Friday night sold-out dinner was again popular with the 160 hungry pilots and modelers who attended. During dinner, John Worth inducted Tom Hunt into the Vintage R/C Society's Hall of Fame, much to the surprise of Tom. Afterward, some of the modelers returned to the field to fly more. What a great way to end the day! It was a big surprise when, at the field, Keith Shaw was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame.

If you went to NEAT to gather information on micro models, you weren't disappointed; wellattended seminars on Friday and Saturday were given by Henry Parquet, Joe Malinchak and Sergio Zigras, and many modelers waited outside the tent trying to peek at the models. A lot of questions were asked and answered.

Many modelers continued flying well into the night, and for those intrepid pilots who were willing, there was a night-flying contest in which several tasks had to be flown without any ground-based lights. Several pilots took the challenge and had a great time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The ideal ending to NEAT would have been a third sunny day, but that was not to be. Sunday started with showers that turned into a steady downpour by noon. Everybody decided to call it a day.

The future of electric flight is very bright, indeed. New breakthroughs in batteries and radio systems seem to happen daily. Who knows where it will lead? The NEAT Fair has become the largest event for e-powered models and promises to grow even bigger. If you're interested in electric flight, make plans to attend next time. NEAT won't disappoint!