2008 Fly-for-Tots in Raleigh, NC
Cory and I made the 2.25 hour excursion into the tobacco fields of North Carolina and RDRC’s Annual Fly-for-Tots benefit. With over 200 registered pilots and a vast assortment of over 700 aircraft, the event sent us both into sensory overload for two solid days.
The continental breakfast in the lobby on sunday morning served up conversation with enthusiastic attendees from four states, including our AMA District VP Bliss Teague. At the field there was a well-stocked vendor row, and many generous sponsors were represented by raffle prizes awarded throughout the weekend. In the end, the event raised over $25 thousand, the entire proceeds of the event, to be given to the Victory Junction Gang.
My top three entertaining moments from the airshow were:
- 200mph flybys by a gaggle of turbine jets. Ah! the smell of Jet-A in the morning!
- Big, gentle and tumbly aerobatics by an amazing 50% Clipped-wing J-3 Cub and an equally amazing pilot, Andy Kane.
- Eighteen, count ‘em, EIGHTEEN Outlaws making screaming laps around the field at once. This “Outlaw Invasion” set a world record!
Wrapping around the airshow was an abundance of open flying that was well organized, incident-free and fun to watch. It was great to see such a variety of aircraft and flying styles occupy the same airspace with no issues. The whole vibe of the event was about the comradere, the charity and the FUN!
More pictures, videos and conversations about 2008 Fly-for-Tots can be found at in this featured forum on RCGroups.com .
September 27th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
[...] we are on post, guarding a magnificent giant-scale P-47B on the flightline of the 2008-Fly-for-Tots-in-Raleigh, NC. There was an wealth of Carolina blue sky and model airplane action. Click though for more pictures [...]