Eleventh Annual Heart of Ohio
August 24-26, 2001

     It looks like every time I say I'm going to do more flying just the opposite happens. Most unfortunatley, we couldn't make Cincinnati or Michigan Jets. Ea did attend Heart of Ohio, although briefly.

     She arrived a little after 4 pm on Friday. These are her comments.

     As I was getting out of the car, I noticed three or four planes in the air. The announcer's remarks were a little garbled but one pilot's name, Joe Rafalowski, came through loud and clear! Joe was flying (I learned later it was the maiden flight) his new bandit. Painted in the 1955 Skyblazers color scheme, it's gorgeous. He used PPG paint (including clear coat) and artists pastels for weathering.

     One of the first to greet me was Steve Elias. As I made my way to the east side of the pit area, I stopped to talk with Janine and Katie McCauley. My attention was almost instantly directed to the miraculous save of the baby concord by Larry Kramer. I stayed for the Hangar Party (which is actually held outside now) where I visited with Anthony Wynceck, Keith Horton, and Jim Braun, among others.

     Saturday morning, I arrived in time for a very brief pilots' meeting conducted by Terry. The emphasis again this year was on safety. The TORKS do a fine job of keeping everything under control. Meanwhile, everyone seems to have a great time.

     First in the air was Ron Doctorick, with a Kangaroo powered by an AMT AT-180. He was immediately followed by Dave Malcchione, Jr. (accompanied on the flight line by Pete and Dave Senior) The BVM Bandit was also powered by an AMT. The third plane in the air was a ducted fan Renegade powered by an OS .91, flown by Alex Ferguson (a young high school student).

     Half time activities included Jeff Seymour, flying (112 lbs. of thrust) down the runway in the SWB Turbines jet-powered go-cart! Three magnum rockets were intermittently launched by Tripoli Rocketry. The largest (and most powerful ever at HOO) was 6" in diameter with a height of ten feet. It weighed 42 pounds. It was capable of 250 pounds of thrust for 4.5 seconds, and approached an altitude 2,500 feet. Batman entertained the younger crowd. Needless to say, the spectators were thrilled (even though the models were not on display this year). I presume it was because of the number of registered pilots (75 at mid-morning) and a forecast for bad weather later that afternoon.

     One final comment on the 11th Annual Heart of Ohio Jet Scramble: Obviously, it's not the same when you don't have a pilot and plane to maintain!

Frey 1 is back and JW has a smile on his face.
Congratulations!

Ron and Terry …
conceptualizing the next demo flight?

Ron and James Crider…
kickin' back!

Right back where he started from...
Good to see you, Ron!

Joe Rafalowski with his newest and
absolutely gorgeous flying machine.

Our mainstay with AMA …
Joe Amata and his unique Aermacchi.

Lewis Patton with the Predator.
This is one big airplane: fuse 96" and wing span 86"
also includes smoke system and flashing strobe.

The inimitable BV!

Okay guys (Paul McCauley, Bill Harris, & Tim Redelman), quit monkeying with Joe's masterpiece.

Now Jim, tell me, did you fly this airplane?

Still on the ground with 120 lbs. thrust!