Heaven on earth for RC’ers at Eli Field
In early June, Eli Field in Monticello, Illinois, turns into a festival of everything RC: jets, aerobats, monster trucks, helicopters, warbirds, drones, rock crawlers, race cars—you name it. If it flies, rolls, or crawls, you’ll see it there. The Horizon Hobby crew came out to Eli Field in force to run nonstop demonstrations and try-me activities on the ground and in the air for RC modelers (and soon-to-be RC modelers) of all ages and skill levels. With everything from 200mph jet aircraft, first-person-view (FPV) drone racing, rock crawling, night flying with a ring of fire, and all sorts of models and gear on display from Hangar 9, E-flite, Blade, Spektrum, and more, there was plenty to do and see all weekend. Let’s take a look…
CHRIS DICKERSON ON THE RC EXPERIENCEWe met up with Horizon Hobby President Chris Dickerson at the Horizon RC Fest to get his thoughts on the company and the state of the RC hobby. Read on to get the inside scoop on what’s new at the largest RC company in the world.
Model Airplane News: Congratulations, Chris, on your recent promotion! Going forward, what do you feel are your biggest opportunities and challenges?
Chris Dickerson: Thank you very much for the kind words. Customer preferences and tastes are changing as people move away from buying stuff and demanding experiences. RC provides a great experience and allows customers the opportunity to escape the stress of everyday life. It also allows them to live out their dream as an ace pilot, stunt car driver, or racer. With technologies like SAFE [sensor assisted flight envelope] in many of our recent electric-ducted-fan releases or AVC [active vehicle control] in our fast-surface vehicles, these experiences are available to a much larger audience. Our opportunity, and in many ways our challenge, is to make more people aware of this great experience.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Legend Hobby / Seagull Models - Cessna Grand Caravan 208
The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 is a legend in aviation circles. A single engine utility aircraft that punches up with capabilities that rival many twin engine aircraft in its class. Its seemingly simple configuration belies its near extreme utility.
PROPER CG LOCATION FOR AEROBATICS
If you are getting into aerobatics and are starting to perform more advanced maneuvers, it is time to discuss ways you can not only become a better pilot, but how you can also improve the flight characteristics of your airplanes.
Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1
This famous multi-mission single engine observation aircraft served from 1950-1974. From calling out target locations to providing intel/recon information, the Bird Dog was a valued asset in both the Korean War and Vietnam.
EARN YOUR WINGS
10 Tips for First-Flight Success
Old School Model Works Fifty Six
The Fifty Six takes its design cues from the original .09- to .15-size Carl Goldberg Falcon 56 of the 1960s. Reworked to incorporate modern, lasercut techniques to make kit building better than ever.
FLYING TWINS Multi-engine warbirds made easy
Let’s face it, there’s just something extra special about twin-engine RC aircraft. Most modelers stop what they’re doing when a twin fires up on the flightline.
HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS
Four easy steps to increase performance and reduce vibration
PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL
I’m a sucker for shop stuff. I buy tools I will probably never use just because they are cool, or I might need to use them someday. When Glen from RC Plane Stands reached out about a review, however, I knew as soon as I browsed their website that I would be receiving something I would use a lot, maybe even daily.
SPIRIT OF RHINEBECK AWARD WINNER
A close up of Norman Malinowski’s 1/3-scale Albatros
CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS
The secret to a plane that flies well
