FOR 16 years, I have directed my club’s
air show and fun-fly, on the last weekend
in July. My friend Jim McCormack,
International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) assistant director, has
invited me to the Otis Giants Air Show in
Falmouth, Massachusetts, on the same
weekend each year. Finally, my event took
place a week earlier and with District I
Safety Director Les Watson, I had the
pleasure of attending another of New
England’s finest events.
Perfect weather and a history of
entertaining Cape Cod vacationers and
residents with an RC air show that features
some of the best fliers and model aircraft
from the Eastern United States drew 30
pilots with more than 60 airplanes.
These Giant warbirds, aerobatic
aircraft, multiengine models, and turbinepowered
jets dazzled the spectators. A big
hit of the show takes place at noon when
the spectators are allowed one hour in the
pit area for close-up viewing of the aircraft
and the opportunity to interview pilots and
learn more about these large-scale RC
models. Refreshments are served each day
and an RTF airplane is raffled on Sunday
afternoon. Later in the afternoon a fullscale
Coast Guard helicopter from the Otis
Air Base performs a fly-by demonstration.
The following story will tell you why I
will always remember this event.
On Sunday afternoon it was announced
that the Coast Guard helicopter could not
perform the demonstration because of an
emergency mission. Shortly afterward a
spectator asked if her two children could
enter the pit area and take a closer look at
some of the model aircraft. A club member
told her that the time for viewing ended an
hour earlier.
As I watched the children’s expressions
of disappointment, I wanted to do
something. I told the club member I would
take the children into the pit area and be
responsible for showing them the aircraft.
Their frowns quickly changed to smiles
and we proceeded to view and talk about
all the model aircraft.
After we finished, the mother asked if I
would like to see her husband’s airplane.
“Of course,” I said, erroneously assuming
that she would point me in the direction of
his model airplane. Before I knew it, she
dialed her cell phone and put me in touch
with the flier of an airplane much larger
than anything found on the field that day.
Lieutenant Commander Mike Staier
asked me what time and how low I wanted
him to fly his full-scale US Coast Guard
HU-25 Falcon jet over the crowd and
airfield. He thanked me for being so kind
to his children and agreed to do a fly-by
within the next 20 minutes.
What a joy it was for me, the crowd,
and club members as this HU-25 Falcon
designed for search, rescue, and lawenforcement
missions performed a low
pass over the club field especially for us.
We often forget it is the little things that
we do without any expectations that result
in the most rewarding and memorable
experiences of our lives.
And so, a great weekend and precious
experience came to a close at the Otis sir
show with the Staier family who call
themselves “fans of model aviation.”
This year the Otis giant air show will
be the District I IMAA Mini Festival. If
you attend, I guarantee a great time at a
fine flying site with friendly club
members. Check the club Web’s site at
www.flyomacrc.com/index.html.
Ray Davis, past Otis club president and wellknown
jet flier, prepared his beautiful
turbine-powered jet for a flight.
At noon the spectators are allowed to enter
the pit area, see the airplanes up close, and
talk with the pilots.
William Lopes built his 86-inch P-47
Thunderbolt powered by a Brison 3.2 gas
engine from a Top Flite kit.
This 28% Edge 540 powered by a 3W-50 gas
engine is owned and flown by Rob Douglas.
Carl Vogel, president of Discover Flying R/C
Club of Cape Cod, flew his 28% Wild Hare
powered by a DA-50.
Lt. Cdr. Mike Staier’s wife Sharon and their
children Corey and Sydney were responsible
for the fly-by of the HU-25 Falcon jet.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/03
Page Numbers: 154