Welcome back everyone! Snow in Florida? I think I’m being punished for making fun of everyone else’s weather, but yes, we had snow in Florida. You’re likely already aware of that if you’ve watched more than 2-1/2 minutes of news anywhere in the country.
Why am I opening about the weather? Because I just returned from The Blue Max, and it was blustery and, what I would consider (for Florida), unacceptably cold. Despite the sketchy weather, the event was well attended, with a large variety of World War I-era aircraft present. This year, the event was moved from its longtime home at the Sanford Aeromodelers field in Geneva, Florida, to the Ocala Model Flying Club, in Ocala, Florida.
The Sanford club did a wonderful job with the event, but The Blue Max simply outgrew the facilities and available parking. The Ocala club is situated on a much larger property and is able to accommodate large trailers and campers much more efficiently. According to Contest Director (CD) Scott Lee, the event drew 40 pilots but had several cancellations because of the marginal weather forecast. People were hesitant to travel after the winter storm that swept through the South. Expectations for next year are 60 to 70 pilots, and Scott hopes to turn The Blue Max into the "Rhinebeck of the South."
Check it out next year if you’re in the area. I ran into Model AviationExecutive Editor Jay Smith, who is an ace photographer, so expect a full feature article soon!
Do you haveany youngsters who are into model aviation? Send me their pictures and a little about their story and I’ll try to feature them here.
I showed up at my local club meeting in January and was pleased to see a number of kids hanging out, flying, making friends with each other, and enjoying our hobby. The secret is that most get bored hanging out with us old people. If they find a friend out there, they will be much more likely to come back.