One of the only up sides to the drought in
the Western states is the extended flying
season. It has been the driest January on
record in Northern California, so we have
been flying during what is traditionally
building season.
The Woodland-Davis Aeromodelers
(WDA) in Davis, California, decided to
take advantage of the conditions. With
the weather forecast looking promising,
and December 7, 2014, falling on a
Sunday, there was a call to arms via email
to commemorate the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
An impromptu warbird fly-in emerged.
Pilots from across Northern California
answered the call. Military aircraft
representing all periods of flight ranging
from World War I biplanes to World
War II heavy iron, and jets spanning the
Korean conflict to the modern jet age,
were on hand.
It was amazing how a simple email or
post on a forum can light the fire for a
group and within a week pull together
quite an event. No awards, no spectators,
and no frills—just a bunch of likeminded
scale warbird enthusiasts getting
together and having a great day flying and
enjoying each other’s company.
Another wonderful event held every
New Year’s Day at WDA is the annual
Chili and Chilly. This event started
with a local flier, John Hoppe, and
his tradition to fly rain or shine every
New Year’s Day, no matter what the
conditions.
A few years back, the group was
huddled in an RV trying to warm up and
dry out while flying on New Year’s Day.
Some discussion led to the idea that they
should have a chili potluck social and
try to make something out of this fun
tradition. With that, Chili and Chilly was
born.
The event now has people showing
up and flying both during the day and
New Year’s Eve night. This year, eight
RVs were on-site to ring in the New Year
and fly through the night. The following
day for New Year’s, there were roughly
35 pilots and countless kids, wives, and
friends in attendance.
This event has grown into one of the
most popular events at the WDA field.
Members make the time to stop and visit
on a casual day. Then there is the food—
ahh the food—that goes on all day long.
With aircraft from all facets of the
hobby on-site at one time, there is no
limit to what can be seen. RC jets, Giant
Scale, park flyers, warbirds, electrics,
gas, glow, helicopters, quadcopters,
sailplanes, and Control Line are all flown
at the different areas of the site. There
is no shortage of things to see and talk
about with the fliers.
The dry weather made it quite the
event this year; however, it always tends
to be more interesting when the weather
is less than cooperative. We will have to
see what is in store for the group next
year on New Year’s Day.
Greg Stone is the newest District X
associate vice president (AVP). He is an
active modeler in Southern California
and has served as an officer in both the
Orange County R/C Club, and the
Orange County Modelers Association.
Like many of us, Greg’s love of
modeling was passed down from his
father and today he enjoys it with his
son. Greg has worked with the Boy
Scouts developing an Aviation Merit
Badge program and volunteers to assist
high school students with the Science
Olympiad. He will be a great addition to
our ranks. Please join me in welcoming
him aboard.
My thanks go to Forrest Barton for his
contributions to this month’s column.
Until next month, may you have nothing
but happy landings.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2015/06
Page Numbers: 142