District III - 2012/12

On August 11, 2012, my wife and I
attended a special model aviation
celebration in Kent, Ohio. The
Corsair Model Aircraft Club (CMAC)
celebrated its 50th anniversary with
an open house fly-in. The ceremonies
began with a local Scout troop
presenting the colors to get the
activities started.
I couldn’t help but notice what
appeared to be a new, freshly paved
runway; however, upon closer
inspection I discovered it was a grass
runway covered with a plastic mesh
material that made it as smooth as
pavement.
Approximately noon, the modelers
were asked to bring their aircraft on
the new runway and line them up
for judging the best of show by the
spectators. This was a nice element
of getting the spectators involved in
the activities and was an impressive
sight. After a few introductions and
presentations, the field was open for
flying between rain showers, and the
celebration was in full swing.
I was curious about the club’s
name and how it came to being. The
club began in 1962 as the Goodyear
Model Airplane Club and was a
club for employees of the Goodyear
Tire Company. Because of growing
interest in the hobby, it opened up
membership to anyone interested,
however the name was changed to
Corsair.
Why Corsair? I learned that during
World War II, the legendary Corsair
airplane was built at the Goodyear
Tire Plant in Akron, Ohio, the genesis
of the club’s origins, hence the name
change to Corsair Model Aircraft Club.
From what I saw on the 50th
anniversary celebration, I am sure
that in the year 2062 the club will be
celebrating its 100th anniversary. For
more photos and information visit
www.cmac.org.
Mark Radcliff presented Jim Highlands,
president of the CMAC, a plaque celebrating
the club’s 50th anniversary.
The static judging for the People’s Choice
award was held on the new runway.
After the Corsair celebration, the
next day we went to a model fly-in
located in Beach City, Ohio. We have
no oceans in Ohio. I have lived much
of my life in Ohio and thought I had
flown everywhere, however I had
never heard of Beach City.
After entering the quaint Amish
town of Strasburg, I saw the sign for
Beach City. As we entered town I saw
a beautiful grass runway with houses
and garages as hangars for full-scale
aircraft. What a beautiful place to fly
and live, especially if you own your
own airplane.
Dave Dessecker has CDed the event
for several years and indicated this was
the most pilots they have ever had.
After attending and flying at this
event, I see why it continues to grow.
Good work, Dave, and I’m looking
forward to next year. Now if I could
only figure out where the beach is …
Modelers and full-scale aircraft share the
runway at Beach City.
It is with sadness that I must report
the passing of a great modeler from
District III. Steve Sturm passed away
on August 24, 2012, after an illness. If
you met Steve once, you would never
forget him. Steve was a one-of-a-kind
person who never met a stranger and
always had a joke to tell.
Steve Sturm.
Steve was a leader in modeling in
West Virginia. He was a founding
member of the Vienna Sky Sharks and
formed another club in Moundsville.
Steve’s aeromodeling enthusiasm was
contagious. Our thoughts and prayers
are with Steve and his family.
I will close this month by saying
goodbye with a phrase Steve would
often say to modelers,