Frank Tiano Enterprises Event Promotions, 3785 West Pipkin Road, Lakeland, FL (2026)

Each event is totally different in concept, interest, aircraft involved and participants. All are exciting and wonderful public displays featuring leading edge technology, superb craftsmanship and incredible pilot skills. All FTE events are open to the public, and there is much to do and see. Continue and read more about these great events -------->>>>

Florida Jets -- 2024 TBD
Florida Jets

is one of the most exciting R/C Aviation events on the planet. FJ features the epitome of technology in airframe construction and power plant, and has the highest level of pilot proficiency of any radio control model aviation discipline. Many of today’s R/C Jets approach ten feet in length, while some are even larger. R/C Jets, like most technology, have evolved from much less complicated and less dependable models, to state of the art composite aircraft, turbine power plants and EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) for power. FJ is not a competition in the truest sense of the word. FJ is a fly-In, or Jet-Together, as some like to call it. There is continuous flying all day. R/C pilots from around the globe come to visit Lakeland, Florida each spring to fly, and see what the latest in model aviation technology has to offer. Although not a competition, Florida Jet’s Sponsors do hand out several awards for excellence, and the pilots truly revere these awards each year. Top Gun Invitational -- 2024 TBA
Top Gun Invitational is exactly what the name says. It is the best of the best by invitation only competing cash and prizes, and to see who may acquire the title of “Mr. Top Gun”. There are also numerous awards of excellence given out each year. Top Gun is the equivalent of a world championship!!! Top Gun is a scale contest, and by that we mean that each aircraft entered is a replica of a full-scale aircraft. Scale aircraft from each era of aviation from WWI through today’s jet aircraft are flown, both civilian and military. From the model aircraft’s outline, color scheme and attention to details, a static score, of 100 points maximum, is generated from a panel of judges. Those static scores are not released until late in the completion. After static judging, each pilot will fly his aircraft four times, for a flight score of 100 points maximum. In each round of flying the pilot completes ten maneuvers, and each is scored on a scale of 0 – 10. The highest three flight scores are averaged and that result is added to the static score for a final score which determines where the competitor has placed in the competition. An overall champion, in addition to class champions, is determined at the conclusion of the event. That overall champion – “Mr. Top Gun” is one of the single most coveted awards an r/c model aviation pilot may ever earn. Various classes include: Expert, Masters, Team, Unlimited and Pro-am. Up to five places earn awards at the end of the event in each class. There are many r/c pilots who travel to central Florida each year from distant origins. About 30 – 40% of the contestants are international. FTE prides itself in providing a selection of interesting things to do while attending one of its events. In addition to watching exciting flying all day, there is usually a “not to be missed” mid-day Air Show with some spectacular “acts” as well as a considerable number of model aviation related vendors, selling or demonstrating a wide variety of merchandise. There is a great food court featuring a covered dining area. Bring your lawn chair, or take advantage of one of a thousand complimentary chairs, and make a day of it. You won’t be disappointed! All events are held at Paradise Field at the Lakeland Airport. Enter from the West Pipkin Road just west of the GEICO bldg. & the Sun'n Fun entrance. The entrance to the site is: 3785 West Pipkin Road Lakeland, FL 33811 - at the intersection of West Pipkin Road and Air Show Road in Lakeland, Florida. Just west of the GEICO building......

GPS Coordinates: Longitude -82.0244 Latitude +27.9748

Actual address for “On Star” GPS: 3875 West Pipkin Road Lakeland, FL 33811. From I-4, exit at County Line Road, Exit #25, Turn Right at Exit and go 4 ½ Miles to Pipkin Rd. Turn Left and go 1 ¾ miles to Entrance. From SR. 60, take County Line Road north to West Pipkin Rd. and turn Right. From Florida Ave. in Lakeland take W. Pipkin road west 3 ¾ miles. From the Polk Parkway, take the Waring Road Exit, turn south and go to its end at W. Pipkin. Turn Right and go 1 ½ miles to Entrance.

10/12/2023

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..

09/28/2023

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

05/06/2023

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.

Address

3785 West Pipkin Road
Lakeland, FL
33811

Website

http://www.franktiano.com/, http://www.franktiano.com/FljetsFrameset.htm, http://www.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm,

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