District I
The last of the snow and ice is melting, and most of us are eagerly waiting for the outdoor flying season. However, in the past few years we have seen the emergence and popularity of tiny airplanes and helicopters whose weights are measured in grams and ounces. These submicro-size aircraft are best flown indoors, and those who enjoy this area of our sport find their flying season coming to an end.
The following report on one of District I’s indoor flying facilities comes from Associate Vice President Robert Wallace. Several of the supplied photos are of Bob Spooner and his grandchildren. Bob, who does not seek recognition, deserves considerable praise for being the person most instrumental in organizing and running the weekly indoor flying sessions at the “Bubble Building.”
He is responsible for scheduling and collecting fees, and is the main AMA liaison with the facility management. On behalf of the district members, thank you, Bob, for your efforts in helping to secure and maintain the use of this excellent indoor facility and for introducing your grandchildren to the AMA and the sport of aeromodeling.
Indoor flying at the Sports World Complex
One of the premier indoor flying sites in District I is the Sports World Complex at 226 Main Street in Windsor, Connecticut. Regularly scheduled weekly flying sessions are held there every Friday afternoon from 1–3 p.m., from November to May.
- The only interruptions to these weekly flying sessions are holidays or school vacation weeks, when athletic activities may be scheduled. When in doubt, call Sports World at (860) 254-5137.
- Admission is free to watch or hangar-fly; the cost to fly is a nominal $5 per hour.
- The Sports World Complex facility is an inflated bubble-type building that houses three athletic fields with artificial turf surfaces.
- Although most participating RC pilots are members of nearby clubs in Connecticut and Massachusetts, any RC pilot who is a current AMA member is welcome to fly.
- A frequency-pin board is in use for those who use 72 MHz.
Three fields are designated for specific aircraft types:
- One field is reserved for helicopters and 3-D flying.
- Another is for small, slow, lightweight micro aircraft.
- The third field is for aircraft slightly larger than the micros and small helicopters.
All pilots are expected to confine their flight activities to the athletic field assigned to their type of aircraft.
These fun-flying sessions are a sure cure for any RCer suffering from the winter doldrums or cabin fever. Why not come to the next season of indoor flying at the Sports World Complex, just off I-91 in East Windsor, Connecticut, and join in the flying fun?
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
