The property has 10,000 sq ft Hangar ( which houses Pat ’ s MX2 , Stearman and Piper Cub ), large patio with outdoor fireplace , Six miles of hiking trails , two very large permanent structure gazebos ( one of which incorporates a full bar ), two bathhouses ( large ablution blocks with granite sink tops !), and unlimited camping facilities for RV and freedom camping .
To reduce costs and speed mowing time , a 36-foot span rotary mower , named " Dear John " was built and finished on site and it can mow up to 30 acres an hour . It took them 10 minutes to mow the main flight line whilst we were there .
The property has 6 model flight lines as follows :
The Main flight line The main flight line ( 7 pilot stations ) is the hub of activity where you will find the majority of vendors set up and there is a noon time demonstration show . It is open to aircraft that fly racetrack circuits and where the majority of where the scale models fly . All aircraft must meet miniature Aircraft association ( IMAA ) standards . Basic aerobatics are allowed as long as pilots keep with the flow of the traffic . The flight line has a “ model in distress ” warning system installed at each pilot station . If a pilot loses control of the aircraft the spotter can quickly sound the alarm ( hooter located on the show central gazebo ) letting those in attendance know aircraft may be in distress .
Show central is one of the Gazebos mentioned above and is the location where all activities are coordinated . For most of the days noon time demonstrations are held for an hour . The demonstrations are usually recognised pilots such as Mike McConville , Quique Somenzini and others in the Futaba and Horizon hobby design / flight teams . In 2012 a German team flying vector thrust jets did a flying display . Manufacturers often take the opportunity to fly and showcase new release models .
Walking down the pits of this flight line is jaw dropping as it would not be an overstatement to say that there would be of the order of 1500 models often 4 deep and all IMAA type models !. This certainly reinforces the size of the American aeromodelling fraternity
3D Line The 3-D line is some distance from the main flight line and the best way to get to the flight line is using the Triple tree aerodrome bus service . The 3D flight line is open to any flier but the style of flying leans towards extreme aerobatics . One of the fun attractions is the 5 acre duck pond where there is pilot station set up for those that want to test their luck with ” rudder dipping ” in the water with the dreaded swim in the pond as sometimes the inevitable results .
The 3-D line has its own vendor area , bar ( within one of the gazebos I mentioned above , food stalls , bathhouse , camping area . Each night the night flying occurs with various flying set ups – from small foamies all the way through to 120cc airframes . A band plays in the evening and during the band breaks there are special night flying demonstrations . One of those demonstrations was a 30 % Extra ’ s , electric powered , and decked out with lighting to enable orientation and port / starboard determination . The person that flew this model was all of 13 years old !
A wander among the model trailers and RV at the 3D flight line puts into perspective the affluence and size of the USA aeromodelling market . I have included some photos of the “ transportation ” used by people at the Nall
Float Line Float planes of all types , ( boats are also allowed off to the side ) fly off the lake . In 2012 the feature of this flight line was a 60 % size L4 Piper cub on floats . The model is actually and ARF ! And was powered by a 3W275cc . Primarily the type of model flown of this lake are 40 – 60 size sports models
Electric flight Line This is a relatively new flight line and is located between the main and 3D flight lines and has permanent AC power outlets for charging and in consideration of the
Top to bottom The local bus service Better get home before the wife misses the stool Who needs a seat ! My new Beamer Its too big for me