For many of us, the weather bounced from winter into summer in matter of a couple of days. Flying weather is back in full swing. I attended several events in May, starting with the Golden Valley R/C Club’s Spring Fun-Fly. The club president, Scott Martin, and his crew did a fine job running the event.
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I went to Muncie, Indiana, and the AMA flying site where I spent time with a great crowd of jet jockeys at the Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) Jet Jam. There were some nice aircraft and a lot of great people. This event was hosted by Bob Belluomini.
I am going to have to get an EDF jet together for next year’s event. They had too much fun not to join in. Thanks for inviting me, Bob.
I went to Joe Nall Week to attend the AMA’s Open Membership meeting. I got to fly on the electric flightline and I flew a little CL as well, thanks to the Fun Central crowd. That brought back some great memories for me.
Ending the month in Kansas City, Missouri, I want to thank Darrell Watts, the CD of the Heart of America Float Fly. Not only did he invite District IX Vice President Jim Tiller and me to the event, he made sure we were well taken care of. I had a great time and talked to many District VI members who attended. Besides having us at the float fly, Darrell arranged for Jim and me to visit a couple of other flying fields.
Don Opplinger escorted me to my first stop, the Eagle Associates RC helicopter club in Kansas City at Minor Park. I was greeted by the club president, Darren Berkey, and several other members, who were eager to show me their field and its improvements that included gravel and a newly poured third heli pad.
They have a great location set up for helicopter flying. For addition information about their club, visit www.eaglesassociates.org.
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Next Susan Calvin, president of the Kansas City Radio Control (KCRC) club, and Ed Baucom escorted me to the Charlie Reed Flying Field in Fleming Park, near Lake Jacomo. The club has a wonderful flying site that has been there for many years with a 40 x 500-foot asphalt runway and a 40 x 500-foot adjacent grass runway.
People had just completed a day of Pylon Racing at KCRC when we arrived. I got to enjoy watching a few late evening practice runs of some 190 mph fast racers. Find more about KCRC at www.kcradiocontrol.com.
Susan is a unique lady. You don’t often find ladies in our hobby, and especially not as club president. KCRC is very lucky to have her. She also has a plans service called Calvin’s Classic Plans. To see what she has available, go to www.calvinsclassicplans.com.
After visiting the two fields, I went to Darrell and Jane Watts home where we met for dinner. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention and thank Jane for providing us a meal fit for kings. Jane had taken my wife, Fina, and Judy Tiller there and made them feel at home while we were out visiting clubs. Don and his wife met us there as well. Darrell, Jane, and Don, thank you so much for the hospitality. It means a lot to Fina and me.
Luke Akemon, District VI associate vice president, sent in a note about the Southern Indiana Flying Eagles. Despite the rain, the club members flew all of the heats in a Pylon Race for the 90 mph bushing .40 class. The event was sanctioned by the Southern Indiana Flying Eagles in Seymour at the Freeman club field.
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Happy flying, everyone. Have fun and be safe!
