BVM - Florida Jets 98

FLORIDA JETS REVIEW

If you were there, you know what a great success it was. You saw the absolute latest in model jet technology on display and in the air, you enjoyed the camaraderie with friends of like interest, you partook of the evening festivities and all of you flew your jet off a huge runway in unlimited airspace.

We lucked out with the weather, the bad stuff was all around us, but only a few hours of the 4 days were interrupted with showers and the wind was kind enough to be down the runway at least half of the time.

Pilots from the far reaches of the USA, like California, Montana, Texas, New York, Louisiana, etc. and our friends from European countries like Switzerland, Germany, England, France, Spain, and a whole host of countries in South America attended making Florida Jets the most international event of its kind.

We have said in the pages of the Inlet and this web site many times, that the jet events, especially the major ones like Superman and Florida Jets, are as much a learning experience as they are an opportunity to maximize your hobby enjoyment.

Every manufacturer that is serious about this business was there showing off their latest offerings and what could be better for you than to see the products in action. This type of trade show is emerging in popularity - especially for products that must fly to win your patronage.

Coming up soon is TOP GUN (West Palm Beach, FL April 22-26), another opportunity to see products in a tented trade show arena and then walk outside and see them fly.

Mr. Frank Tiano is the person behind the success of Florida Jets and Top Gun - he has a unique vision of what you want to come see and enjoy, and he brings these elements together in a most harmonious routine of fun and flying. Events like these are truly beneficial to our sport.

Florida Jets is the season opener for jet flying and it sure looks like turbines are here to stay. Probably one half of the sorties were flown with turbine power. Lots of JPX's that were sold in 1997 were there flying and all performed perfectly. The newly released RAM 750 (kero fuel) showed strong evidence of its emerging place in the market - there were over a dozen models operating with it. The new AMT Mercury prototype made its debut in a Bandit and the hit of the show was the AMT Olympus engine powering Franz Walti's big RAFALE.

Ducted fans are not to be forgotten and it was very evident that this reliable and cost efficient system will remain the power of choice for many, if not most jet modelers.

BVM believes in the future of the fan market so much that we introduced a new BVM .96 engine and the new VIOFAN system. (see new products section) The soon to be released MiG-15 with fan power was also on display.

We hope you enjoy the pictorial story of Florida Jets and we are going to add some more photos soon.

If you missed it in '98, be sure to start planning now for the last weekend of February '99. That planning should include early hotel reservations because the timing coincides with "Bike Week" in nearby Daytona. Golfing activities are also in full swing during this week which causes the local area and the hotels to be packed. If you are going to fly in the event, a DSC cord will be mandatory so no pilot is cheated out of his opportunity to use a frequency. Watch this site, RCJI and other publications for Florida Jets '99 information.

The Blue Angel Bandit

We first saw Bill Harris's Bandit "T" at the Superman event where he was flying it in a primer only finish. WOW! What a difference a paint job makes.

A sport jet in the Blue Angel scheme has always been Bill's signature and this new Bandit complete with panels and rivets and a buffed clear coat has to be his best.

ProMark has the markings, if you wish to duplicate it - just be sure to get the blue and yellow paint the right tint. Use the Federal Standard number 15048 for the blue and 13538 for the yellow.

The Malchione Family

Pete, Dave, and Dave Jr. collectively logged 37 flights with these BVM Jets (F-4 not in photo). The aluminum Sabre is several years old and the F-16 has been around awhile and is flown a lot by Dave Jr., he lands it perfectly every time. Florida Jets offers a welcome winter break to enjoy some sun and fun for families like the Malchiones who live in Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania.

Urs + Franz w/Rafale

This photo op was presented when Franz Walti and friend Urs from Switzerland were giving an interview for a video company covering the event. The magnificent RAFALE B 01 powered by a single AMT Olympus engine thrilled modelers and spectators with its awesome performance and won 3 of the prestigious awards presented at the Saturday night banquet.

BVM is very busy getting this all composite super jet into kit form. It can be powered by two 12-17 lb. thrust turbines or a single AMT Pegasus or Olympus.

18 Bandits

Eighteen Bandits and there happy pilots were at Florida Jets proving that the Bandit is fast becoming the sport jet of choice. Just ask any of these pilots what they think of their all composite kit and how it flies -- BVM's best advertisers.

These Bandits were powered by a selection of VIOFANS and BVM .91 and .96's, the RAM 750, the AMT Mercury engines and the JPX T260's. The kits can be purchased with installation parts and instructions that cover each type of powerplant.

Click Above Picture for Larger Version!

BV with Bandit

The tanks slung under the wings and the brilliant paint job made this RAM powered Bandit a very popular model. Bob burned over 5 gallons of jet fuel during this model's debut at Florida Jets.

"Smoke This" indicates that these tanks will soon carry smoke fuel that will be dispensed into the hot exhaust of the turbine. With 17 pounds of thrust available, the smoke will help define the huge vertical aerobatics that the Bandit is capable of. Testing of the system will be done soon -- we'll keep you posted.

This Bandit is also equipped with the new specially molded kevlar fuel cells that provided easy fueling and flawless flight performance. These crash resistant tanks should reduce any chance of a fire following a crash.

Comfortable 8 to 9 minute flights are the norm with the 2.4 liters of fuel on board and there is still enough fuel left for a go around.

Pilots

The pilot flight station was usually this busy with pilots, callers and the very competent flight line coordinators. Absolutely no ground mishaps occurred and all were courteous.

Phantom with AMT Turbine

This BVM Phantom was powered by a single AMT Pegasus turbine and it performed flawlessly with Terry Nitsch at the controls. AMT has the bifurcated tailpipe system working perfectly. You can contact them about this power source and how to install it at 304-375-3777.