Thistledown Flyers Radio Control Club : Corky's Corner

Hello Big Bird Lovers!
After some time off, I'm back in my "Corner". Sadly, this is being written just hours after learning that Kirby McKinney passed away this morning. Kirby had a pacemaker implanted, and then open heart surgery about a month ago, and finally today, on June 10th, he lost the battle.

For those who didn't know him (and if you have ever been to the Joe Nall Fly-in, it would be difficult NOT to know him), Kirby was the very long time friend of Pat Hartness. Kirby and Pat had the unfortunate experience, as young boys, of being told how unwelcome they were at a model airplane contest. That experience stuck with them as adults, and was the inspiration for starting what evolved into the Joe Nall Fly-in.

Aeromodeling lost a dear friend and supporter with the passing of Kirby McKinney. Kirby was a founder, and hard working supporter of the Joe Nall Fly-In. Our thoughts are with his wife Carol and daughter Laura.

Kirby, his wife Carol, and daughter Laura have been the perpetual "Energizer Bunnies" of the Joe Nall, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Joe Nall the premiere event that it has become. Like everyone who knew Kirby, I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies to Carol and Laura. We have all lost an inspirational friend, who was the embodiment of the central theme of the Nall... Fun, Friendship and Fellowship.

This year's Joe Nall was, as always, an endless collection of superlatives. When Super-Host Pat Hartness found out that the IRCHA helicopter event had

Corky's Corner Columns

  • Summer 2004
  • Fall 2004
  • Winter 2004
  • Spring 2005
  • Summer 2005
  • Fall 2005
  • Winter 2005
  • Spring 2006
  • Summer 2006
  • Fall 2006
  • Winter 2006
  • Spring 2007
  • Summer 2007
  • Fall 2007
  • Local pilot takes ride of his life
  • Summer 2009
  • Fall 2009

over 700 pilots last year, he dedicated his efforts to see to it that the 2009 Joe Nall was even bigger. And, of course, he succeeded... and then some. There were 814 registered pilots at the event. Actually, I should probably say "Events", because there are now FIVE separate flight lines... for electric, float flying, helicopters, 3D, and the traditional "scale" flight line in front of the gazebo.

In these times of supposed recession, depression, and doom and gloom, the 2009 Joe Nall was 33% bigger. This is a tribute to the hard work of Pat Hartness, Kirby, Carol, Mike Gregory, and all of the Confederate Air Farce members. It shows that big bird modelers will enthusiastically support a well planned, well run event, no matter what the "talking heads" on the evening news are saying.

The Joe Nall is truly a pilot's event. With five flight lines, and essentially unlimited flying, thanks to 2.4 technology, everyone who brings a plane gets to fly... a lot! Is there a bigger, better event anywhere in the world? I don't think so... Speaking of 2.4 gHz, it was announced that the 2010 Joe Nall will be a 2.4 gHz only event. At this year's event, they had an impromptu ParkZone T-28 group gaggle... with probably 50 of the great little foamies flown at one time. The only crashes were the result of pilots getting confused about which plane was theirs.

So once again, the I.M.A.A. owes a huge debt of gratitude to Pat Hartness and the Confederate Air Farce for making the largest I.M.A.A. event the legendary success that it is. The event is a tribute to what desire and determination can accomplish. Their success is the result of a true team effort. But this is true of every I.M.A.A. event. It is the local Chapters, the local club members, and the dedicated Event Directors that make all I.M.A.A. events a success. It's at the local level where "the rubber meets the road".

I Thank every one of you who donates your time and effort to make your flying events a success. Without you, the Chapter Report pages in the back of this magazine would just be blank note paper.

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