The Thrill of Flight and More at E-Fest, Champaign, Illinois’ Annual Model Airplane Festival

Muncie, IN, January 23, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Looking to escape the cold weather? Look no further, the 4th Annual E-Fest is coming to town. The indoor electric festival featuring radio-controlled model airplanes, helicopters and jets is on February 7 and 8 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Armory Track and Field Facility.

Sponsored by Great Planes, Inc., the two-day festival is open to the public and includes freestyle airshows, indoor scale contests, combat flying, a helicopter “smackdown” show, seminars, a kids “make-it-and-take-it” airplane table with launch and a night flying show with glow-in-the-dark lights and music.

“Wintertime indoor flying events have become popular around the country with the advent of electric-powered models,” said E-Fest organizer, Carol Pesch. “E-Fest is a crowd-pleasing show attracting approximately 3,000 spectators each year and nearly 300 of the world's best radio control pilots from across the country.”

Attendees will have the chance to watch Academy of Model Aeronautics All Stars Nick Maxwell and Andrew Jesky – two of the world’s most skilled RC pilots – who will “wow” the audience as they whirl, tumble and dive their model planes and helicopters for the crowd below.

With more than 25 unique exhibitors and expert modelers’ on-hand, the festival will be entertaining for the novice getting started flying electric RC aircrafts and the experienced modeler alike.

E-Fest hours are Saturday, Feb. 7, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Armory Track and Field Facility is located at 505 E. Armory, Champaign, Illinois, 61821.

General Admission is $5 per day. Children 12 and under are free. For more information and a schedule of events visit www.gpe-fest.com. For high-res. images visit: www.gpe-fest.com/multimedia.html

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About Academy of Model Aeronautics
Founded in 1936, the non-profit Academy of Model Aeronautics is the world’s largest model aviation association, representing a membership of more than 150,000 for the purpose of promotion, development, education, advancement, and safeguarding of modeling activities.

Academy of Model Aeronautics is the voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies. Academy of Model Aeronautics also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.

Academy of Model Aeronautics seeks to introduce young men and women to the art and craft of aeromodeling. Through an active educational outreach program, Academy of Model Aeronautics supports teachers and community-based organizations who wish to infuse topics in math, science, and technology with aviation activities. In addition, each year Academy of Model Aeronautics presents Charles H. Grant Scholarships to exceptional students who are active in their community and in modeling.

Since 1970 the Academy of Model Aeronautics has awarded $1 million dollars in scholarships to hundreds of students to study aerospace design and engineering and other aviation related fields.