I am the AMA - 2012/07

JS: How did you get involved with model
aviation?
BL: I was fascinated with things that
fl ew. I built Revell 1/72-scale plastic
models in grade school. I read lots of RC
modeling magazines and started fl ying
the CL Cox PT-19 trainer.
One day our family was driving home
from New York City and I saw a fastmoving
model fl ying without lines. We
pulled over to watch. The RC pilot was
“Jersey” Jim Martin and he was fl ying his
Banshee.
Jim stopped what was he was doing
to talk to us about his aircraft and fl ying
pattern. Jim was humble, approachable,
and creditable. His fl ying was deliberate
and precise. When we left that fl ying site
I had one thing on my mind; I wanted to
be a Pattern pilot. I was hooked.
JS: How has model aviation impacted
your life and/or career?
BL: Model aviation helped me think
about achieving goals that I thought
were unattainable at fi rst, but ultimately
achievable with hard work and
dedication. I had to use my brain to
build an aircraft and once built, believe
in my own ability to fl y it successfully.
I learned about the science of
fl ight which later made learning fullscale
fl ight concepts easier. This was
particularly helpful when I started
competing in full-scale aerobatic
competitions in the 1990s. There is
always something to learn and
learning can be fun—and very
challenging.
JS: What disciplines of modeling
do you currently participate in?
BL: I haven’t fl own a Pattern
contest in years, but I enjoy
the classic Pattern-type
models. Currently I’m trying
to keep a JHH F-4J Phantom
in one piece. In general, I’m not
an electric [power] enthusiast,
but I have a Great Planes
Ultimate biplane, which
allows me to fl y locally.
JS: What are your other
hobbies?
BL: I enjoy jazz piano and cycling.
JS: Who or what has in uenced you the
most?
BL: My parents. They always
encouraged us never to quit and to
have high standards. Also, by aiming
high and expecting to win, you’ll push
yourself to be successful in whatever
you do.
My father and I joined the Central
Jersey RC Club (CJRCC). Chris
Christiansen and Steve West were
very helpful, as were other CJRCC
members. As my interest in Pattern
fl ying grew, I started fl ying in contests
with others my age.
There was a young man around
my age named Donnie Abati fl ying
a Mach 1. He was talented and also
interested in Precision Aerobatic
fl ying. We attended a few Pattern
contests together. I learned a lot from
watching others fl y.
JS: How did you get involved with the
Red Tail Squadron?
BL: At the US National Aerobatic
Championships a friend told me about
a Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
P-51C restoration that was taking
place in South St. Paul, Minnesota.
This aircraft was going to be dedicated
to educating the public about the
Tuskegee Airmen.
My friend had met my father,
Donald W. Lang Sr., who was a
Tuskegee Airman, and he thought I’d
be interested in becoming involved
with the group restoring it: the CAF
South Minnesota Wing.
In the past year we’ve developed an
outstanding ground-support exhibit,
the RISE ABOVE traveling exhibit.
The exhibit features a 30-minute
movie on a panoramic movie screen
with an inspirational message about
rising above personal challenges.
The exhibit is on the road 35 to 40
weeks of the year, reaching into local
communities and connecting with the
CAF P-51C Mustang at airshows. It
has been well received throughout the
country.