The Moonport Modelers R/C Flying Club, of Tutusville, Florida, hosted a unique flying event for women on Saturday, June 7, at the club’s flying field.
More than 30 club members encouraged 20 ladies to participate in the inaugural flying clinic. It was a great success and the participants loved it.
The event featured a ground school, show and tell with different model types, then some exciting 3-D Aerobatics demonstrations by HobbyKing and Precision Aerobatics team pilot Michael Wargo—one of the world’s top 3-D fliers.
Afterward, all participants had the opportunity to fly the models with help from an instructor. The club provided aircraft for the flights and HobbyKing sent three airplanes and radios to be given away as prizes.
Wayne Mendez, Moonport Modelers president, said, “The response to this event was very enthusiastic. The ladies just loved it, and the only complaint was that they wanted more time on the sticks.
“During the event planning, I had reservations about their interest. We really got to show the best side of RC, though.
“The company of the other pilots and wives to socialize with, and the interesting nature of the hobby, won the day. Most of the wives have been around the hobby. We just used this event to get them involved enough to see [that] it might be a little easier than they thought to learn.
“Michael did a great job [of] keeping the ground school simple and then really wowed them with the giant planes down on the deck.”
Michael remarked, “I had a blast, and it really exceeded my expectations.
“The original thought was simply to try to demystify the hobby for them and help them relate to their husbands and boyfriends who are avid modelers. I think, individually, it is hard for them to get a taste for it. By gathering many together, it gave them a reason to give it a try and attempt to understand it a bit better. To our surprise, they approached it with a very open mind and seemed to love it.
“Maybe all[of] the women in attendance may not learn to fly, but at least they were given a good chance to learn and see what it’s all about, try it, meet some other modelers’ wives, and possibly give them a reason to spend a little time outdoors with their husbands or boyfriends and possibly learn to fly themselves.”
For more information on learning how to fly RC aircraft or to join the Moonport Modeleler’s club, contact Wayne at (321) 505-2361 or go to the club’s website at www.moonportmodelers.com
Note: The SEFF coverage in the August issue in my column written and attended by Georgia Associate Vice President Dave Wenzel.
Don Wise, associate vice president for South Carolina, reported on a fly-in.
I attended the Gooney Birds RC club’s Annual Spring Fly-In, held June 7, near Florence, South Carolina.
The Gooney Birds have a nice grass field that is 650 feet x 120 feet. There is also a synthetic strip for small models that is 200 feet x 13 feet. The club has permanent shelter and restroom facilities.
This fly-in drew 48 pilots and a number of spectators, despite the cloudy weather and the chance of showers. The wind was up and down, but it did not blow in any rain, so the flying was nonstop.
Robert Gainey was the event CD and everyone seemed to have a good time. The aircraft ranged from park flyers to turbines, with both electric and nitro power well represented. The club’s vice president told me that the pilot turnout was the best in the last few years.
After lunch, the club called out the winning numbers for the raffle prizes. All in attendance seemed to enjoy themselves. I know I did.
