Frank Tiano Enterprises Event Promotions

We are planning to shut down this page at the end of the year. Its been a great run, and there are a ton of memories contained here.. Please brouse and copy anything you would like to keep. If anyone has additional pictures, articles or related info they would like post, please do..

From: John Burdin
As the realization sets in that Florida Jets and TOP GUN are going away, I wanted to make a few comments about what I have seen over the past twenty plus years in Lakeland.
Besides the fact that so many different people have participated in these events as pilots, helpers, vendors, line crew and on and on, it’s hard to limit my comments without leaving out folks who really did make a difference. But that isn’t my purpose today.
I was a distant friend of Frank going back thirty years ago. I met him and Charlie Chambers at an early jet rally (all EDF) in Ft. Lauderdale, and then ran into him a few times here and there. Then he decided to visit Lakeland to attend an early version of the Florida International Jet Rally when it was held in Mulberry at the IRCC. I believe that BV convinced him to come. He visited Lakeland and a couple of nice restaurants (both Italian). So, he was hooked. Later when he decided to move to Lakeland, all of the restaurants knew who Frank and Carol were. Frank loved good food. It’s when he moved to town that I really got to know Frank and Carol. Over the years we came to depend on each other for certain things, and he was mostly fun to work with on his events. I will miss all of that as much as I miss him.
So back to Florida Jets and TOP GUN. A big part of Franks legacy was his love for scale airplanes and builders. I believe the one big disappointment that Frank saw, was the change in the hobby from builders to buyers. From scale works of art to pre-packaged models. As the world has changed, model aviation has changed and builders dwindled. People who have only been in the hobby for a short while, would likely not understand, but I am convinced that in a strange sorta way, this broke Frank’s heart. A lot of us remember when scale static was a real big deal and very time consuming. How about three full days nonstop.
Frank being the promoter he was, had to make some changes along the way. He took TOP GUN from a pure invitational to a more broad-based event which enabled more modelers to participate. More classes, more pilots, more trophies, and most of all, more fun for more people. It worked out pretty well!
Florida Jets, which was always intended to show case the finest in R/C Jets. Kit manufactures, engine manufactures and radio manufactures have always been present, and a big part of the event.
We saw the transition from ducted fan to turbines during the 90’s. We saw more manufactures of aircraft and engines. We saw the radio manufactures step up and create equipment with greater reliability, more channels and incredible functionality. All of these things continue to growth and improvement today. Much like scale and TG, Florida Jets was meant to be a showcase.
I need to mention the grand daddy of all R/C Jet event promoters. That is of course Jerry Caudel. Jerry created the Superman Jet Rally held annually in Metropolis, Il… Centrally located in southern Illinois. That event ended with FAA intervention, and was moved to what is now known as Super Jets South at Georgia Jets just south of Atlanta. That event is continuing this weekend.
With Florida Jets coming early in the year, it was really tough that first year coming so soon after Frank’s passing. The strength Carol showed was nothing less than inspirational. With the help of a special few, the event came off without a hitch. That event was so special, no words can describe. Then shortly after, with Frank still front and center on everyone’s mind, here we go again. With Top Gun being a complicated event to correctly coordinate, Ray Labonte stepped in to assist, and the competition ran like a clock. The rest of the crew were excellent and Carol was a real trooper again. The last two years were fun with a lot of great flying by everyone who participated. But of course, there was still a big missing link.
From my standpoint looking back on everything, I am glad that it has been as good as it has been..

Academy of Model Aeronautics Lakeland Linder International Airport Polk County FL SUN 'n FUN Visit Central Florida Visit Central Florida Sports The Ledger Imperial RC Spectrum Spectrum Bay News 9

I want to thank all the pilots who participated in TOP GUN this year. Congratulations to Ali Machinchy for winning The Frank Tiano Cup this year, and to Mr. Top Gun, Rod Snyder.
I also want to thank all the judges, Contest Director Greg Foushi, Nick our Announcer, Raymond Labonte, and all the people who worked with me to put on the event.
I especially want to thank our generous sponsors: Aeropanda/Jet Central, Carf Models, Dr. Jet, Dubro, Horizon Hobbies, House of Balsa, JR PROPO, Kingtech, Model Airplane News, Motion R/C, Pacer Technology/Zap Glue, Powerbox Americas/Jet Cat, Ray & Robin's Hobby,R/C Jet International, Riff Raff, Warbirds Over The Rockies, War-Bird-Pilots.com, and Your Pal Sal.
Finally I want to thank our Young Guns--Cody, Christopher, and Maximo. I loved watching the three of you flying! I think very soon we will be seeing Marley flying.