JETS OVER KENTUCKY 2022
By Jim Hiller | jetmodeler@earthlink.net
MY LAST COLUMN was about EDFs at the Rosewood RC Flyer’s EDF Jet Jam event in southern Indiana, so I’m continuing the theme of event coverage with Jets Over Kentucky, one of the world’s largest jet events. It was held July 10-17, 2022, at the Taylor County Airport in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
This year, the rain gods gave us a break and we had seven days of flying. The only limits on flight hours were set by the FAA with an agreement of flying from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., then a break, and flying again from 5:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. The break allowed a good time for an early dinner.
What makes Jets Over Kentucky special? That would be its size and the support from the generous community of aircraft manufacturers and suppliers to help fund this event that highlights turbine jets, as well as the companies’ products and services.
Lewis Patton has been the contest director—no, really the spearhead—of this event for more than a decade, and he has done a wonderful job of attracting the jet modeling community. The event’s list of sponsors tells it all. Nearly everyone who participates in the turbine market comes to Jets Over Kentucky and supports it.
Let’s move on to some event coverage. It really is about flying, friendships, and meeting with the vendors that supply all of the necessary turbine products to keep us flying. It’s unbelievable what is available out there and how many businesses are involved in our turbine hobby market. Most all of these businesses attend Jets Over Kentucky with their products to display and fly so that we can see how well their aircraft perform.
This year, Advanced Radio, the maker of SmoothFlite gyro systems, came from Australia for the company’s first visit to Jets Over Kentucky. For most of us, this was our first opportunity to get firsthand knowledge of how to optimize AR SmoothFlite product performance. It was great to meet Brendan and James Gell, learn more from them about the Advanced Radio line, and ask questions about items that are unique to the Advanced Radio system programming. Check out the products at Booma RC; the company has a comprehensive line of electronic products for our modeling needs.
Moving on, AeroPanda and Jet Central are major supporters of this event. Manny Rodriguez and Victor Rangel, a Jet Central employee, arrived early to help keep the Jet Central turbines running by tweaking the performance or even performing basic repairs, if necessary, while on-site in their air-conditioned workshop trailer and on their test stand. Victor flew in from the Jet Central factory in Mexico City to be part of this event.
The AeroPanda product line is continuing to expand to include both jet and helicopter items. The company is now the US distributor for the Kolm line of four-stroke, Giant Scale gas engines. For information about AeroPanda and Jet Central turbines, check out the websites listed in “Sources.”
The crew from BVM Jets arrived with an ample supply of BVM support products all the way up to airframes, plus the company’s fleet of personal jets to fly—and yes, they flew a lot. Rob Lynch flies the BVM aircraft hard, demonstrating just how aerobatic, yet gentle, they can be. He puts on a wonderful air show whenever he flies.
Rob is very approachable and helpful whenever you need assistance. He has helped me much throughout the years, from the installation of gyros to answering questions about the setup of equipment to improve performance. To see the complete line of BVM Jets products, visit the company’s website.
Pacific RC Jets is alive and healthy. The company displayed and flew new aircraft, including an impressive T-One T-50 sporting the Golden Eagles paint scheme. The T-50 is a new trainer jet that is similar in appearance to a two-seat F-16 but with more wing area. It’s a pretty cool-looking jet.
Dirk Flejter was on-site enjoying the event and answering all of the Pacific RC Jets and KingTech turbine questions. There isn’t a more qualified person to assist with these product lines. The Pacific RC Jets website features many quality jet aircraft.
Another turbine brand that was represented was Swiwin. CRX Turbines is a US distributor and warranty repair center for Swiwin. This brand has been gaining popularity, and it is good to see CRX Turbines becoming a regular at Jets Over Kentucky. The company offers good support for our turbine hobby. Additional information about CRX Turbines and Swiwin can be found on the CRX Turbines website.
The popular sport jet line of Boomerang jets is handled now by HeliDirect and Boomerang RC Jets. Greg Alderman was on-site representing the company. It’s great to see this wonderful line of introductory jets alive and well.
Most of the Boomerang jets are good for grass-field flying. This product line is another one that is best covered on the Boomerang RC Jets or HeliDirect websites, or on-site at events such as Jets Over Kentucky.
I have discussed some of the vendors at Jets Over Kentucky because if you have an interest in turbine modeling, you can’t beat a major event such as this to whet your appetite and see the products, both under the tents and in action on the flightline.
The many vendors that support our hobby are there to answer your questions and assist you in turbine jet modeling.
SOURCES:
Jet Pilots Organization (JPO)
www.jetpilots.org
Booma RC/Advanced Radio
sales@boomarc.com
support@advanced-radio.com
www.boomarc.com
AeroPanda
(321) 312-0723
www.aeropanda.com
Jet Central
jet-central@dym.com.mx
www.jetcentral.com.mx
BVM Jets
(407) 327-6333
www.bvmjets.com
Pacific RC Jets
(626) 808-6122
www.pacificrcjets.com
CRX Turbines
(716) 946-7493
www.crxturbines.com
Swiwin Turbines
www.sw-jet.com
Boomerang RC Jets
(765) 744-3118
www.boomerangrcjets.com
HeliDirect
(877) 439-4354
www.helidirect.com
