Triple Tree update: The Robert Shaw Learning Center
Jim T. Graham
jgraham@rcgroups.com
If you are an RC pilot, I bet you know about a place called Triple Tree Aerodrome, located in Woodruff, South Carolina. If you don’t, you owe it to yourself to go to one of its RC events. It is RC nirvana, and for some, it’s hard to imagine until your feet touch its manicured grass.
Triple Tree holds RC events throughout the year. It also hosts full-scale aircraft gatherings. Triple Tree was started in 2000. It began with a lake and a 7,000-foot grass runway. It now features a full-scale hangar, a workshop, a 1940s control tower, gazebos, shower facilities, campsites, hiking trails, a 3-D flightline, an electric flightline, helicopter flying sites, and more!
One of the newest additions is the Robert Shaw Learning Center. I had the privilege of a full tour from none other than Triple Tree’s founder, Pat Hartness! I wanted to discuss the learning center and its importance to the hobby.
The new learning center was named after Robert Shaw. Robert is a pilot, an airplane builder, and enjoys Control Line flying. He is also a member of the Triple Tree Aerodrome’s board of directors. I spoke with Pat about the learning center, and here is what he had to say:
“When people enter the Robert Shaw Learning Center, they say, ‘Wow!’ and the reason is [that] we have around 150 quality RC planes hanging from the walls and ceiling. Most of the planes won the Nats or were designed by some of the famous builders from the past
forum member who wanted to remain anonymous. He wanted his donation to stimulate other donations from FlyingGiants users. Donations such as this are what keep Triple Tree alive.
Another way to increase funding is to interest future generations in the hobby. Triple Tree is currently forming strong alliances with local schools and hosting large groups (150 at a recent event) of school children to introduce them to aviation. Triple Tree has found that kids haven’t lost their excitement for aviation—they simply need exposure.
The purpose of the 501(c)(3) donation was stated as “educational.” This is where the Robert Shaw Learning Center comes into focus. It is the first step for the youth of today who will someday be RC pilots, full-scale pilots, and engineers.
Here are some final words from the Triple Tree Aerodrome’s website:
“In the past, Triple Tree has asked for your donations to help run the facility.
50 years. Bob Shaw put this collection together. Each year, around 4,000 kids will go through the learning center. When the kids come in, they look up at the walls. The planes really get their attention and light their excitement for flight.
“We have RealFlight RC flight simulators for people to learn on, and we also have a full-scale flight simulator based on the Cessna 172. We use both extensively to help train young people (and older people).”
The Robert Shaw Learning Center building was a gift from an anonymous donor. Nearly the entire structure was built by volunteers. It is just another way for Triple Tree to give back to the hobby by getting our youth interested in RC and flight.
The auditorium can accommodate approximately 100 people in folding chairs. The simulator room has six RealFlight simulators. The full-scale simulator is in an adjoining office and it is awesome to see! Some big news is that the facility is now air-conditioned—that means that kids can be taught year-round. It is also a welcoming place to duck into during the heat of the annual Joe Nall Week event!
Now it’s time to tell you why donating to Triple Tree Aerodrome is something we should all do. Triple Tree no longer belongs to Pat. It belongs to you and me. An investment in Triple Tree is an investment in the hobby itself. I hope that long after you and I are gone, there will be RC pilots on the Triple Tree grounds, enjoying this hobby and its people, just as we do today.
The mission of Triple Tree Aerodrome is to “Ignite and Expand the Passion for Aviation.” A good example of that is Joe Nall Week. This year, more than 1,700 pilots registered, and there were thousands of spectators on the grounds. Money-earning events, such as Joe Nall Week, are one way for Triple Tree to obtain the funds needed to maintain the grounds and equipment on an ongoing basis, but Triple Tree mostly relies on donations.
I was excited to present Pat and the Triple Tree Aerodrome with a check for $5,000, from a FlyingGiants forum member who wanted to remain anonymous. He wanted his donation to stimulate other donations from FlyingGiants users. Donations such as this are what keep Triple Tree alive.
The fees you’ve paid to attend our events have provided the base funds and your donations have provided the extra needed to run our equipment, fertilize, water, etc. The staff and volunteers cannot thank you enough for your historical generosity. Now, we ask that you help us ‘expand’ Triple Tree into the future.
“The next generation of aviators needs for the current generation to ‘step up’ and build the Triple Tree education center. If you agree that this educational effort is important, please go to ‘Support the Vision’ and make a donation. We simply cannot complete the Triple Tree mission without the help of the thousands of Triple Tree current supporters.
“Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our future events.”
SOURCES:
Triple Tree Aerodrome
www.tripletreeaerodrome.com
Joe Nall Week
www.tripletreeaerodrome.com/joe-nall-week.php
RealFlight
(217) 398-8970, option 1
www.realflight.com
FlyingGiants
www.flyinggiants.com
