Frank Tiano Enterprises Event Promotions

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.