Author: Robert Engle

Edition: Model Aviation - 2023/06
Page Numbers: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Red, white, and blue jet aircraft performing in flight over a blurred landscape

Florida Jets

An annual celebration of jet aircraft

By Robert Engle
h2oheliman@gmail.com
Photos by the author

Red, white, and blue jet aircraft performing in flight over a blurred landscape
Dwayne Woods Jr. actually performed rolling loops with this Boomerang Sprint and flew several times each day. Photos by the author

Let me first start by saying wow, I cannot believe Florida Jets is already over. This event never disappoints, with lots of vendors, pilots, spectators, and Florida sunshine. Unfortunately, on the first day, it rained until approximately 1 p.m., but just like the beaches in Florida, as soon as the rain stopped, people started coming out. Pilots began flooding the flightline just as quickly. The sunshine and great temperatures began at approximately 1:30 p.m. and continued until nearly the last day.

Pilots from many countries came to show their flying skills and their beautiful airplanes to other pilots and the public. It never ceases to amaze me the distance people travel to come to this event because it is one of the largest and best events in the US.

Frank Tiano was the founder of many of these types of gatherings throughout the US, and we thank him for his endless contribution to this hobby in so many ways. He paved the way for others to follow.

sport jet. This is probably one of the best deals I’ve ever seen in my years in the hobby of a complete, ready-to-fly jet. I think you will have the option to buy it with or without the turbine, but with the turbine, servos, and everything included, the price is extremely reasonable. This will likely be a big hit for Horizon Hobby and get even more people into turbines.

I believe Ali Machinchy and Dustin Buescher designed this aircraft, and they had three of them at the event. They flew them all at the same time and demonstrated what the jet was capable of. It was nice that they showed the full flight envelope, including slow flight capabilities.

Dustin now has his own pit crew. His two daughters are getting so big that I cannot believe it—or does this mean I’m getting older? Dustin is the one who let me fly a jet for the first time nearly 10 years ago, and from that point on, my addiction got worse.

Patty Generali standing with the author at the event
Patty Generali, the face of BVM Jets, is shown with the author. Patty was always busy but had time for everyone and was so gracious.
BDX sport jet flying low over the field
Pablo Fernandez’s jet was the Elite Aerosports BDX sport jet.
Futura jet performing in flight against a blue sky
This Futura did crazy 3D flights and spun in circles nonstop. It must have flown 20 times.
BVM F-16 model on the runway
Cleveland Johnson flew this BVM 1/6-scale F-16 in the unique scheme of the Belgium Dank Falcon.

I was situated next to Greg and Jenni Alderman, who own JAG RC. They are super nice and were gracious to all. Greg was representing Boomerang RC Jets and brought lots of kits to sell. He flew constantly to display what wonderful jets are in the Boomerang series.

I will try not to leave out any sponsor names or any large companies. We had two of the largest companies in attendance: BVM Jets and Elite Aerosports. As always, Patty Generali, Rob Lynch, and the staff at BVM Jets had thousands of products for sale and a huge display tent of beautiful, outstanding jets. I am still amazed that they pulled up in three giant trailers and in a few hours, there was almost a hobby shop out there.

Pablo Fernandez had such a huge selection of Elite Aerosports jets in his tent that you could barely walk in it. Marvin Alvarez was there with a great new airplane from Banana Hobby, the gorgeous B-1 bomber. Marvin is one of the kindest people you will meet in the hobby. He’s just a great guy.

There was a young man there named Dwayne Woods Jr., who flew a Boomerang Sprint in a way I have never seen a Sprint fly. He was doing rolling loops and

Several Elite Aerosports jets displayed under a tent.
The Elite Aerosports tent was packed with jets.
Gabriel Toro standing with a yellow and black Picaro sport jet.
Gabriel Toro, from Elite Aerosports, flew this Picaro sport jet. He is a great pilot.

everything you could imagine. I just couldn’t believe it. I have the Sprint V2 and I was thinking to myself, after watching him fly it that I’m being far too easy on mine. He didn’t just fly this airplane. When he flew it at the event, it was quite a sight to see.

Pablo and his crew flew their airplanes constantly at the event. Every time I looked up there was an Elite Aerosports jet in the sky.

Manny Rodriguez, with AeroPanda and Jet Central turbines, had the company’s usual beautiful display of turbine engines, including the giant Dragon 300. Wow! What a powerhouse. JetCat had the massive P1000 turbine. This thing is bigger than a bathroom garbage can and costs a tiny bit more!

Many other great vendors were there, including MK Servos and JR PROPO. Frank Noll represented JR—most should be familiar with him. He is an incredible pilot and has flown every aspect of RC. He is a super friendly

Rob Lynch standing behind a large red Yak 130 model jet.
Rob Lynch, from BVM Jets, flew this giant twin-powered Yak 130.
A military trainer model flying low over the runway.
One of the six turboprops in attendance was this beautiful military trainer that flew many times—the SIAI Marchetti SF-260.
A blue Boeing 747 model flying against a clear sky.
This new HSDJETS Boeing 747 looked awesome in the air.
A white and blue IA-63 Pampa model jet in flight.
Leo Becerra’s IA-63 Pampa jet looks similar to the Alpha jet and had an incredible number of scalelike details.
A black and yellow L-39 model jet flying against a blue sky.
Frank Noll’s gorgeous L-39 flew frequently.

man who is willing to talk to everybody and is one of the people whom everyone knows and respects.

Rob Lynch, from BVM Jets, flew the giant 1/4-scale Yak 130 powered with the Spark Twin 120 T12 turbine, Spektrum radio gear, and a Cortex Pro gyro. There was also the new BVM KingCat with an awesome green color scheme. BVM also released its new giant BAe Hawk.

If you didn’t think jets could spin well, Mark Petrack, from JetCat, flew a blue Futura that had thrust vectoring and smoke. This was a sight to see. He flew nonstop with this airplane.

Cleveland Johnson, from Florida, had an F-16 in a Belgium Dark Falcon color scheme that was powered by a huge Swiwin 190 turbine with 41 pounds of thrust and guided by a Spektrum DX18 radio. There was a giant HSDJETS 747 that flew well, looked great in the air, and drew everyone’s attention.

This wraps up another year at Florida Jets. I think everyone had a wonderful time there, and I hope all of the readers of Model Aviation enjoy this article. Thank you again to all of the people who made this event possible. Happy and safe flying!

SOURCES:
Florida Jets
www.franktiano.com/florida-jets