Triple Tree Aerodrome is a private airport near Woodruff, South Carolina.  Throughout the year, they not only hold fly-ins intended for people with airplanes, but they also hold events for people interested in flying radio-controlled (“RC”) model airplanes, as well.

Triple Tree’s biggest event for RC enthusiasts is “Joe Nall Week”, held each Spring.  More than 700 RC pilots attended this year’s Joe Nall Week.  Triple Tree events are not open to the general public; those attending must be members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), or the Academy of Model Aviation (AMA), and their guests.  Particularly for Joe Nall Week, it is not unusual for a child to be an AMA member, with his parent as his guest.

People start arriving in motor homes and camping vehicles a day or two prior to the start of Joe Nall Week, to be assured of a good parking location.  But typically, the best part of Joe Nall Week is Wednesday through Saturday.  Not only are RC model airplane pilots – some of the best as young as 9 years old – flying their airplanes, but vendors are frequently demonstrating what their latest models, RC controls, and other accessories can do.  

RC airplanes can be propeller powered, or jet powered, with genuine model-size jet engines.  Electric-motor RC airplanes are also flown, as well.  The only limitation is that an RC model airplane cannot weigh more than 125 pounds.  People building large models, such as a ½-scale Piper Cub or a 30-foot-long B-36, can easily find themselves having to pare off ounces wherever possible to stay within that limit.

RC models of the World War I Sopwith Camel and Fokker Tri-plane, World War II F4U Corsair (with folding wings!) and P-40 Warhawk, Korean War F-86 Saber, modern jet fighters like the Russian Sukhoi Su-27/35, US F-16, F-18, and more were all in attendance for this year’s Joe Nall Week.●