MICRO-FLYING
THE 2025
NEAT FAIR
By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net
SEPTEMBER IS ONE of my favorite times of the year because I was born in this month and it is also when the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair is held! I usually start preparing for the NEAT Fair months in advance, thinking of any new airplanes that I want to build and which ones that I might have to repair for the event. For me, the NEAT Fair is like a family reunion, spending time with friends who I haven’t seen in a year.
The 2025 NEAT Fair took place September 11-14, and it was a memorable one—the weather was perfect. In fact, I can’t remember a NEAT Fair that had almost perfect weather every day of the event. The wind was light, and the temperature was not too hot or too cold as it can typically be in the Northeast during the month of September. I was happy that I was able to fly my lightweight micro models outside in the slow-flyer area.
Vapor Games
Every year, the Jersey Coast Sport Fliers (JCSF) holds the Vapor Games on Thursday night of the NEAT Fair in its big-top tent. The Vapor Games is a fun-spirited contest. The JCSF crew did a wonderful job of organizing and running the event, which features two separate competitions that culminate in a fly-off of the winners from each competition.
The first event had each pilot fly through hoops that were suspended from the ceiling of the tent. They had a minute to rack up as many points as possible for each hoop that they flew through.
Event two was a timed race around two tent poles. The pilot with the
most laps around the poles in a minute won the event. This year, they added a handicap for previous winners. They made Devin McGrath and Spencer Weigand fly one airplane together at the same time—yes, at the same time! One was on the right stick, and the other was on the left stick. They even made Dave Lockhart fly without his glasses! It was fun to watch. Devin and Spencer won, making them both the Vapor Games champions.
MICRO-FLYING
Adam Woodworth flew his Star Wars Imperial Probe Droid.
Adam also had this Star Wars speeder bike.
Michael Cripps flew his cool-looking XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber. The model has a 5.5-inch wingspan and weighs only 6 grams.
This event is great fun, and I am already looking forward to flying in next year’s Vapor Games!
Indoor Night at NEAT
My wife, Cindy, and I hosted Indoor Night at NEAT again this year. The event was held on both Friday and Saturday night. Attendance was down a little because the weather at the field was so good that some people chose to stay and fly outside; however, the pilots who did show up flew some amazing micro-RC models.
Adam Woodworth always brings several new and impressive models, and this year was no exception. His flying Star Wars Imperial Probe Droid was a sight to behold. I also enjoyed seeing his Star Wars speeder bike fly around the gym.
Michael Cripps and his lovely wife, Sandy, also bring an amazing assortment of micro models to fly. This year, Michael had a new XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber. The model has a 5.5-inch wingspan and weighs only 6 grams. Sandy had her sub-micro, carbon-fiber Cootie Rogallo flying great. Ross Clements and his father, Joe, flew several CO2-powered models and a few Free Flight (FF) airplanes as well. I had fun flying my Cartoon Scale Corsair that features retracts and flaps and a few of my Microaces Scale models.
Ross Clement is shown with his great-flying FF model.
The NEAT Fair is a wonderful event to attend. You can see all types and sizes of electric-powered models, take in the beautiful backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, and learn more about this wonderful hobby that we all enjoy.
SOURCES:
NEAT Fair
neatfair.org
