Flite Fest 2026 Ideas and general information

[FishbonesAir]

Okay, wake this thread up y'all!

Since we now know we're landing in Dayton, not Melvern, that is gonna change things a bit.

An event idea hit me recently because of the change in venue. You see, there's a very special trophy in the museum, from the first Airforce Top Gun competition in 1949. It was "lost" for 46 years, because that competition was won by Lt Col. James Harvey and his team of Tuskegee airman.

I propose an air race with Mighty Minis in honor of the 1949 Top Gun competition and to honor the Tuskegee Airmen for the many years they were deliberately ignored.

We should be able to setup balloon pylons and run a race without too much trouble.

Capt Fishbones

 

[FT Dustin]

OK guys, we have a podcast dropping soon. One little nugget in there may escape a lot of folks but not you all, I assume. Regardless, I want to bring it up here.

One of the events we're going to be having this year is a kind of Wacky Races type event, where you build out and fly your crazy contraptions. There will be a contest that I don't know the details of yet, and we will have prizes for this as well.

So go get your wildest Dick Dastardly ideas together and start slicing foamboard!

 

[LitterBug]

@FT Dustin ,

What about kick boards??

 

[LitterBug]

@FT Dustin ,

What about kick boards??

I am thinking of doing V2 of this, with a bigger kickboard, a V-Tail from a crashed VTOL, and foamboard wings. And of course the ACME pilot!

 

[FT Dustin]

I am thinking of doing V2 of this, with a bigger kickboard, a V-Tail from a crashed VTOL, and foamboard wings. And of course the ACME pilot!

That would be amazing. I always love your creations!

 

[LitterBug]

Something like this but a bigger kick board and foamboard wings. Maybe it will be able to handle water takeoffs?!?!?!?

 

[FishbonesAir]

I can't get this flying Aircraft Carrier outta my head, but I know I lack the the parts and probably knowledge to build it. Not to mention the skill to fly such a beast. 🤣

 

[spartacus502]

Ok, I've started working on my adhd packing list for FlieFest again this year and I am wondereing if you guys have found anything you really love having with you or wish you had thought to bring in the past. I love taking the griddle to cook meals for myself and friends and anyone who happens to be walking by when I'm cooking, lol. I'm also bringing an extra tent this year for plane and equipment storage.

So let's hear your must haves!

 

[LitterBug]

My problem has been over packing. I need to just bring the basics.

 

[spartacus502]

My problem has been over packing. I need to just bring the basics.

Oh yeah, I overpack for sure, lol. but.. this trip is the only time of the year that I don't have any responsibilities or due dates or have to worry about anyone but myself so I like to make sure before hand that I have things that will make me comfortable and keep the good times flowing! (or would that be flying?) I really enjoy cooking while I'm there so I end up bringing enough food for ten people every meal. I usually end up flagging down anyone walking by who wants a meal after my group has eaten.

Another thing I started bringing after a couple of years was a box fan. That's been a nice addition to the packout.
also baby wipes!

 

[spartacus502]

Here's my packing list in all its overbundant glory, lol. The thing I've realized is that I enjoy planning for trips almost as much as I enjoy taking them, so I tend to go hard on the spreadsheets. Once I'm there, if I realize I don't have something I want, I just add it to the list for next year. A lot of this stays in the trailer all year anyway, so I don't actually have to get all this together.

cook	camp	fly	personal
oil for griddle	bedding x2 and pillows	planes to sell?	food - see other tab
two coolers	flashlights	batteries and chargers	shower stuff
rack for bread on griddle	6ft table from garage x2	FT planes	extra shoes
griddle tools	drill bits and driver bits	FT plane kits	sunblock
propane	generator cord	foam board	bug spray
griddle	predator generator	quad	mini speaker
foil	generator foam cover	nx8 and dx9	charging cords
foil pans	stakes	tools	towels
cutting board	hammer	glue guns and sticks	laptop and cord
knife	extention cord x3	spare parts	baby wipes
flexible measuring cup	gas can	projects	Gatorade 32 oz.
plates - reusable	chairs	zorro transmitter and receivers	water shoes and raincoat
utensils - reusable	box fan		oofos sandels
cups - disposable	led strip lights for canopy and outside		boots
bowls/tubs for cleaning	tarps		afrin
dishsoap	canopy with walls and risers		mini bike - not this year
sponges	screen room		toothbrush/paste
paper towels x 2	power bank		lock for generator
	power strip x2		seafoam for bike and genny
	folding tables		jacks and plastic rv pads
	lif04 battery		wheel chocks
	solar panel for trailer fan		clothes for 4 days
	big tent for storage
	ryobi tools and chargers
	lights
	inflator and fan
	small blower
	drill

 

[LitterBug]

This year it is less than an hour from my house. I have to work Thursday/Friday and will be coming after work Wed/Thur/Fri. I can afford to forget something this year. I haven't decided if I will stay the night Thursday to do night flying after they close the gate. Wed I'll set up and run back home after hanging out till gate time since there will be no flying.

 

[spartacus502]

This year it is less than an hour from my house. I have to work Thursday/Friday and will be coming after work Wed/Thur/Fri. I can afford to forget something this year. I haven't decided if I will stay the night Thursday to do night flying after they close the gate. Wed I'll set up and run back home after hanging out till gate time since there will be no flying.

I'll have an extra tent set up with extra room in it if you need a place to stay Thursday night, just bring a sleeping bag!

 

[LitterBug]

I'll have an extra tent set up with extra room in it if you need a place to stay Thursday night, just bring a sleeping bag!

Thanks for the offer, but I already have a spot and will be setting up a small tent Wednesday night. My car (or truck) will be my hanger this year rather than using the tent in the back of the truck.

 

[bisco]

I'll have an extra tent set up with extra room in it if you need a place to stay Thursday night, just bring a sleeping bag!

are you available to organize my life?

 

[FishbonesAir]

Ok, I've started working on my adhd packing list for FlieFest again this year and I am wondereing if you guys have found anything you really love having with you or wish you had thought to bring in the past. I love taking the griddle to cook meals for myself and friends and anyone who happens to be walking by when I'm cooking, lol. I'm also bringing an extra tent this year for plane and equipment storage.

So let's hear your must haves!

Soldering iron, and some heat shrink. I'm hoping TGK Connectors will still be in attendance. I was gonna hang out a "Solding Here!" Shingle with a tip jar, but reading the site rules, it doesn't sound like such a good idea.

 

[spartacus502]

Soldering iron, and some heat shrink. I'm hoping TGK Connectors will still be in attendance. I was gonna hang out a "Solding Here!" Shingle with a tip jar, but reading the site rules, it doesn't sound like such a good idea.

I think thats a great idea,I'll have a soldering iron in my toolbox but I suck at soldering. I'l glady barter dinner for esc connections, lol

 

[spartacus502]

After that post, I realized I never broke down my tool box that i take to the field with me. Although I have more in it for flitefest for sure.

Tools	Spare parts
6" adj wrench	motors/ esc's
needle nose pliers	servos
side cutters	servo horns, clevis, and rods
allen wrench set	foam board
scissors	bamboo rods
small and large screwdrivers	motor mounts
drill bits	wires and connectors
box assorted screws	receivers
micro driver set	stickers/paint
razor knives	props
extra razors	prop nuts and prop savers
soldering kit	velcro
multimeter
prop reamer
oring tool
sanding blocks
tape, packing, 2sided,elec, and duct
ca glue
epoxy
foamtac
zbend pliers
visegrips
wire crimpers and terminal ends
glue gun and sticks
36" straight edge
lipo fire extinguisher
sharpies

 

[LitterBug]

After that post, I realized I never broke down my tool box that i take to the field with me. Although I have more in it for flitefest for sure.

Tools	Spare parts
6" adj wrench	motors/ esc's
needle nose pliers	servos
side cutters	servo horns, clevis, and rods
allen wrench set	foam board
scissors	bamboo rods
small and large screwdrivers	motor mounts
drill bits	wires and connectors
box assorted screws	receivers
micro driver set	stickers/paint
razor knives	props
extra razors	prop nuts and prop savers
soldering kit	velcro
multimeter
prop reamer
oring tool
sanding blocks
tape, packing, 2sided,elec, and duct
ca glue
epoxy
foamtac
zbend pliers
visegrips
wire crimpers and terminal ends
glue gun and sticks
36" straight edge
lipo fire extinguisher
sharpies

I have a notebook(paper) and pens in my flight bag so reminders can be made of what changes/fixes need to be made to things take tothe field. By the time I get home, it's doubtful I'll remember without it.

 

[spartacus502]

great idea, I'll be adding that to my packout as well.