Best in the West Jet Event – Part 2

As the Showcase got underway Sunday morning, the big guns brought out the big birds.

Ali Machinchy, one of the world’s most renown RC jet pilots from England was dominating the air early on Sunday. His favorite toy of choice, the blue and white Viper sport jet, was noticeably outperforming all other jets in the air. Machinchy was simply able to maneuver on a different level than most all other pilots flying.

Ali Machinchy brings home another one safely with some obvious opinions on some changes to make. Photo by Andrew Stevens

His inverted and knife-edge passes presented the most risk, as some bordered close to single-digit feet from the ground. And those passes that weren’t that low, morphed into bold and daring perpendicular bolt-aways from the runway off into the distance.

As if that weren’t enough, some passes also ended up in steep and sudden climbs into the heavens that resulted in spinning and dropping falls back to earth from their peak. Quite a show to say the least.

And when I asked Ali why it seemed his favorite model to fly was his blue and white Viper he commented, “because the Viper is the most accessible jet out there. Its easy to maneuver for the high amount of performance it has. Everything about it is solid all the way around.”

Not only was Ali flying his own Jets, but everyone else got in line to have him fly their models. From the A-10 Warthog, to the Victory, and everything in-between, Machinchy seemed to be constantly up in the air flying something.

Scott Marr, another big-time RC ace from Florida, and pilot of a Reno Air Race champion model, brought his Tomahawk Futura to the table, along with a line of other Futura models. These jets were definitely different than the mainstream, as their futuristic and modern design was a great alternative to everything else on display.

Scott Marr brings another Futura sport jet to the runway. Photo by Andrew Stevens

Marr also boasted the Shockwave sport jet, a candy-red beauty that was by far the fastest jet in the sky all weekend. An aerodynamically clever design, the Shockwave lived up to its nickname. While having to actually be traveling three and a half times faster than it was going to break the speed of sound barrier, (comparing the conservative peak speed of the Shockwave – 220 mph, to the speed of sound barrier, 768 mph), the Shockwave still widely opened eyes, ears and nerve-endings. As it made aggressive passes along the runway, it was literally there, and then gone in the blind of an eye.

As the afternoon progressed, the fans were finally allowed onto the runway to vote for their favorite jets of the showcase. Kids adult-sized and child-sized alike were given a treat in the ability to examine these complex systems up-close and personal. Being able to meet and greet with the pilots and their prides was something engaging for everyone and entirely embodied the essence of Fansmanship.

The fans get a chance to check out all of the models and pilots in the showcase. Photo by Andrew Stevens

Best of the West 2012 was a complete and encompassing success as it has been the past two years I have been fortunate enough to attend, and as I’m sure it will be once again next October. More and more pilots from around the world are making it a go-to destination, and rightfully so.

Event director Joe Casteleao and all that assist him are deserved the utmost amount of credit and gratitude for being such accommodating hosts once again. Everyone that made the whole production happen should be proud of both how seamless the entire meet unfolded and and how fulfilling the experience was.

Mark it down on your calendar right now – Best of the West 2013, next October. If you find your way to the ‘Willow, you’ll find an escape in the air.

Feel free to check out Part 2 photos below!

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