Born to Fly
2021 Triple Tree Update
By Jim Graham | jimtgraham@yahoo.com
LAST YEAR WAS terrible for flying events. With that in mind, I wanted to talk to the people at Triple Tree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina, to find out the aerodrome’s plans for 2021. I missed out on one Joe Nall because of flooding, and then another one because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I reached out to Robb Williams, the executive director of the Triple Tree Aerodrome. I had the pleasure of working with Robb when I created the Virtual Joe Nall for the RealFlight simulator. I know the Triple Tree crew has been hard at work getting ready for 2021, and I wanted to get all of the new information to you. Following is what he shared:
“The year 2020 marked the 10th anniversary of the Triple Tree Aerodrome as a nonprofit organization. This year brought about a unique set of challenges for our organization. In February 2020, we survived a 100-year flood. This flooding was extensive, and with thousands of hours of volunteer labor, we managed to repair and reinforce our facility. Eighty truckloads of rock and tens of thousands of cubic yards of dirt reinforced our southern boundary. This project will help protect our facility for decades to come!
“In the proceeding months, we made the difficult decision to cancel all of our revenue-producing events in 2020. This cancellation was because of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and made with our customers’ safety and the public in mind.
“Triple Tree was supported by our friends during this challenging year with three fundraisers: our $10 for 10 Years campaign, Camp and Fly weeks, and finally, our 2020 End of the Year campaign. The success of these three fundraisers will help set the stage for success in 2021! You can still donate to the cause. Please visit the link in ‘Sources’ to make your gift today.
“Despite the challenges of 2020, we managed to graduate our second class of Aviation Centered Education (ACE) Radio Control students. These students took part in a remote ground school with the support of Google Classrooms. The students then arrived at Triple Tree to learn the finer points of in-person RC flying. By the end of class, our candidates successfully soloed an RC aircraft on their own and each was awarded his or her own RC airplane. The funding for this was provided by a grant from the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission.
“We also further developed our partnership with the University of South Carolina and its mechanical engineering department. Students in these classes worked on developing STE(A)M exhibits for our guests. They are currently helping to design and develop parts of our iconic 85% RC Cub. We anticipate flying this aircraft at the 2021 Joe Nall.
“During 2020, we also saw additions to our facility. We are now the proud owners of our own 1974 Meadows N4 Model 1 sawmill. This sawmill has a 48-inch blade with a 20-foot cut. We will use it to cut our own lumber and further develop and beautify Triple Tree.
“Additional improvements saw 16 premium campsites added to the west lake and 16 premium campsites added north of the main flightline. These sites went on sale for the 2021 Joe Nall on January 11, 2021.
“Finally, we started to prepare for the addition of the Flight Deck by the main hangar. The Flight Deck will be a multipurpose gathering area where friends and family can enjoy Triple Tree. Creating this new area took 30,000 cubic yards of dirt that reached more than 20 feet high! We look forward to funding this expansion in the upcoming years.
“In 2020, Triple Tree started the construction of the Legacy Walk to the patio area. This is a place to remember loved ones or to celebrate friends and family in our aviation community. It has been completed for 2021. We install bricks twice a year in the spring (before Joe Nall) and fall (before the Triple Tree Fly-In).
“Another goal in 2020 was to create a 6-mile trail network for guests and their families to exercise and to enjoy the beautiful scenery we have to offer. The trail is halfway finished and will be completed
after deer season is over.
“In 2021, we have planned a robust schedule of events. Tickets for the 2021 Joe Nall went on sale on November 30, 2020.
At the time this was written, we had more than 100 registered pilots. We are anticipating a regularly scheduled Joe Nall in 2021. Please check our website for the latest schedule updates.
“Joe Nall is your event and Triple Tree belongs to you. Pat Hartness [Mr. Pat] gave it as his gift to aviation. It is our responsibility to keep this facility running for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support through this challenging year, and we look forward to 2021 and your return to the Triple Tree Aerodrome.”
A big thanks goes to Mr. Pat, Robb, and the whole crew, for their continued efforts to make Triple Tree an RC destination. I’m sure we will all be ready to drive through the main gate when everything is back to normal, to fly and socialize with our RC friends!
At the time this was written, we had more than 100 registered pilots. We are anticipating a regularly scheduled Joe Nall in 2021. Please check our website for the latest schedule updates.
“Joe Nall is your event and Triple Tree belongs to you. Pat Hartness [Mr. Pat] gave it as his gift to aviation. It is our responsibility to keep this facility running for generations to come. Thank you for your continued support through this challenging year, and we look forward to 2021 and your return to the Triple Tree Aerodrome.”
A big thanks goes to Mr. Pat, Robb, and the whole crew, for their continued efforts to make Triple Tree an RC destination. I’m sure we will all be ready to drive through the main gate when everything is back to normal, to fly and socialize with our RC friends!
SOURCES:
Triple Tree Aerodrome
www.tripletreeaerodrome.com
Donate—Triple Tree Aerodrome
www.tta.aero/donate
