Author: Bliss Teague
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/07
Page Numbers: 139

District IV—Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia

Vice President — Bliss Teague

Sandhills Model Aircraft Club — Third Annual Colonel Earl Dugan Memorial Fly-In (October 6, 2012)

On October 6, 2012, the Sandhills Model Aircraft Club held its Third Annual Colonel Earl Dugan Memorial Fly-In at the club’s field in Cameron, North Carolina. The event was a tremendous success: the weather was fantastic and 26 registered pilots flew aircraft ranging from small electrics to turbines. Many pilots brought several aircraft; there were more than 40 models in the pits.

Pilots came from across North Carolina, and one past president, Raoul Trudell, drove in from Mississippi. Several local hobby shops sponsored the event and provided outstanding raffle prizes, for which the club is very grateful.

There were two noontime 3‑D demonstrations: a fixed‑wing display by Danny Allen, who wowed the crowd with his 100‑cc Yak 54, and a jaw‑dropping 3‑D helicopter demonstration by Kevin McGrady of Charleston, South Carolina. The event grows each year, and the club is already planning for 2013.

Mid Atlantic World War I Dawn Patrol 2012 (October 4–7, 2012) — Tidewater Radio Control Club (TRC), Chesapeake, VA

After roughly three years of planning, Mid Atlantic World War I Dawn Patrol 2012 at last filled the skies over southeast Virginia. The inaugural event, hosted by the Tidewater Radio Control Club (TRC) of Chesapeake, Virginia, was held October 4–7 beside the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach.

The airport’s runways were open to World War I R/C flying. The museum provided indoor overnight storage beneath its WWI and WWII aircraft, and some full‑scale museum aircraft were moved out of the hangar and parked near the R/C area—an amazing backdrop for the event. A full‑scale P‑51 also performed fly‑bys in front of the flightline Saturday afternoon.

Highlights and logistics:

  • Pilot turnout: 43 pilots with high‑quality models.
  • Pilots came from as far away as Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, and New York.
  • A pilots’ briefing was held each morning, followed by the singing of the Star‑Spangled Banner.
  • On‑site camping was available, though most pilots stayed at area hotels; the Virginia Beach ocean resort area is only about 25 minutes away.
  • Wind was an issue early in the week, but conditions improved by Saturday. Two crossing runways and a large open grass field allowed takeoffs in any direction as the wind changed. Sunday’s rainy forecast prompted some pilots to pack up Saturday night.

Awards and supporters:

  • TRC members awarded trophies for Best in Show, Best Axis, and Best Allied aircraft. Awards were provided by Glenn Torrance Models.
  • Other supporters included:
  • Balsa USA
  • RTL Fasteners
  • Debbie’s RC World
  • AMA District IV was represented at a welcome tent by District IV Vice President Bliss Teague.

TRC volunteers kept the event running smoothly and provided food and drinks. The award ceremony and prize drawings were held Saturday evening, followed by a fried chicken dinner included in the pilots’ landing fee. The evening concluded with pilots gathering around a fire pit.

All pilots enjoyed flying, touring the museum, and visiting with old and new friends. TRC looks forward to doing this again, bigger and better, in early October 2013. Check www.flytrc.com for the latest information and early signup.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.