THE BELL AIR R/C Flyers held its 17th
Annual Big Bird Fly-In on June 3-4 at the
Bell Air R/C Flyers Club Field near
Bellingham Washington. This event was a
great success with 24 pilots and 42 airplanes
registered. We logged 80 flights on Saturday
alone.
Saturday, the first day, was perfect with
great weather and the largest number of
spectators we have ever had at this event.
We had good coverage from the media—
newspapers and radio—for the fly-in.
On the weekend before the Big Bird Flyin,
we participated in the Grand Ski to Sea
Parade, in Bellingham, Washington. This
was great public relations for the club and
the event.
The pilots did a nice job of performing
for the spectators. We had several large
aircraft in the 37-40%-size range at the
event, including a pair of beautiful new 37%
Ultimate BME biplanes which were showstoppers
flown in formation by John
Vanderhage and Ken Huber. There was also
a new 40% 129-inch Yak 54 flown by
Kelvin Buck.
Sunday was rained out in the morning,
but the sun came out at noon and so did the
spectators. It was a good afternoon. We had
a full size AT-6 fly-by, courtesy of the
Heritage Flight Museum of Bellingham,
which was a real crowd pleaser.
This was a terrific event. Thanks to all
the pilots and club members who worked at
the event. Hope to see you at next years Big
Bird.
We will also be holding WarBirds over
Whatcom in August—a warbird fly-in with
no size restrictions.
Bill Pottage’s Fleet Model #2 in a fly-by.
Chris Blackwell with his 3w 330S and spotter
Mike Bishop.
Flightline one.
Flightline two.
Flightline three.
John Vanderhage’s 37% Ultimate does a tail
touch.
Pits and spectators.
Hal Norrish, and his Antonov AN2.
Ski-to-Sea parade float.
Thank you Pat Eastman, president of the
Bell Air R/C Flyers, for this report and the
photos.
Until next time, Bruce.
Bruce Nelson
Vice President
807 E. Vicksburg St.,
Spokane WA 99208
Tel./Fax: (509) 467-1852
Cell: (509) 863-7096
www.yosamiteflash.com/
xiama.htm
Rick Allison, Issaquah
WA;
[email protected]
Darrell Anderson, Great Falls
MT; [email protected]
Al Culver, Wilder ID;
[email protected]
Jerry Holcomb, Vancouver WA;
[email protected]
Reeves Lippincott, Wasilla AK;
[email protected]
Gene LaFond, Wenatchee WA;
[email protected]
Dave Legard, Salem OR;
[email protected]
Mike Mosbrooker, Oak Harbor
WA; [email protected]
Claude Tanner, Boise ID;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator
Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA;
(509) 299-5102
District RC Coordinator
W.T. (Bill) Smith, Seattle WA;
[email protected]
District XI Volunteers
District XI
Bruce Nelson, District XI Vice President; [email protected]
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
September 2006 173
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/09
Page Numbers: 173