Author: William Lund
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 40,41,42,44
,
,
,

KIDVENTURE

AMA and EAA at AirVenture 2009

by William Lund [email protected]

On Monday, July 27, after two days of setup and weeks of preparation, the Northern Aces Show Team of northeast Wisconsin kicked off its seven-day mission on behalf of the Academy at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture 2009 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The team was divided into two areas. One was an outdoor static display of all types of RC aircraft based in and around a 20 x 40-foot tent east of the EAA AirVenture Museum’s Pioneer Airport runway and adjacent to a flying area reserved for electric-powered RC training flights. Experienced instructors provided a first-flight experience to any child who demonstrated a basic understanding of the requirements for controlling an RC aircraft (via simulator). These training flights were made continually during KidVenture hours, Monday through Saturday, using a fleet of modified HobbyZone Super Cubs.

During the course of six days, three of which were windy and one of which was rainy, the three experienced instructors—Mike Haller, Dave Flick, and Bill Kvindlog—managed to provide individual indoctrination flights for more than 800 fledgling pilots. “Thank the Lord for good outrunners and good Li-Poly batteries!” exclaimed one of the instructors after a full day of flying.

The Northern Aces’ second area was an indoor presentation based in a pavilion and a large hangar at the Pioneer Airport/EAA Academy Campus of the EAA Museum/Convention Complex. Employing two banks of RC simulators, more than 2,000 familiarization flights were carried out. One set of simulators was based in the media trailer and another set was in a circular kiosk structure. Lines of young and old attendees formed at both simulator banks from the opening whistle to the closing bell each day.

Based in the middle of the media trailer was a large video screen with surround sound that played the AMA-produced Park Flying With the AMA on a continuous loop. The DVD drew a great deal of attention.

Approximately 2,750 12-inch-wingspan, jet-style gliders were assembled from kits produced by Balsa USA. Children colored their jets and watched volunteer students assemble their brightly colored aircraft (we wanted to avoid combining small children and CA glue). In addition, volunteers from Iola-Scandinavia High School and the EAA Spread Your Wings program from the Milwaukee area assembled 800 14-inch-span B-17 and 600 12-inch-span P-51 display models. The shop crew at the EAA AirVenture Museum laser-cut the parts for the KidVenture program; the airplanes were a very popular item.

In an adjacent area, a 1/3-scale clipped-wing Cub from a Balsa USA kit was finished during the seven days of the show. Show Team Manager Gary Doeren and Mark Enderby, team pilot and Balsa USA owner/designer, provided play-by-play explanations. Also, in excess of 5,000 7-inch-span Boeing/Guillow’s gliders were put into kids’ hands.

Located between the media trailer and the simulator kiosk was a raffle/drawing counter with three RTFs as prizes. The show team purchased a FlyZone Cessna 182 and a FlyZone J-3 Cub from Hobby People; Hobby People donated a Watt-Age P-51. Hobbico supplied a new RealFlight G4.5 RC Simulator package, which was installed in one of the simulator locations in the media trailer. Hobby People and Hobbico deserve a big “Thank you!” for their support.

Exactly 12.76 pounds—approximately 2,950 8 x 5-inch—registration sheets were collected and shipped to AMA Headquarters as a source of potential new members. Many copies of the AMA beginner’s guide were given to interested parents and adults.

On Wednesday, July 29, Dan Majka, a member of the EAA Board of Directors, presented special service awards to three show-team members who had donated massive amounts of time in past years to presenting the wonder of aviation to young people. The recipients were Dave Wier (Peshtigo, WI), Don Todd (Iola, WI), and Mike Haller (Fond du Lac, WI).

In two instances, people who owned small RC park flyers and electric-powered 3-D models flew them in dangerous locations: one extremely close to parked aircraft and another directly under the approach end of the Pioneer Airport runway. There were no incidents, but the potential for trouble was clear. Each of us must do our part to keep our hobby safe and free from ridicule.

Thousands of people of all ages had the opportunity to partake in the wonder of model aviation. Our air show team’s 20 participants, with the invaluable assistance of 30 volunteers who contributed at least one day at KidVenture, had a blast. Our group left AirVenture 2009 with the feeling of having accomplished something truly worthwhile.

The Northern Aces made the following contributions to KidVenture 2009:

  • RC RTF packages given away: 3
  • Cases of water used to quench thirst: 4
  • Northern Aces team members who served all days (two days of setup and the show week): 7
  • Northern Aces team members who served multiple days: 9
  • Bags of ice that chilled out: 12
  • High school and college student volunteers who worked a total of 70 days: 29
  • Large static-display aircraft for the public to view: more than 30
  • Hours of Park Flying With the AMA video programming that were played: 44
  • Cans of soda that were enjoyed: 72
  • Washable markers that were used artistically: 410
  • Feet of heavy-duty extension cords that were hidden from view: more than 600
  • Feet of restraining rope/flags that directed the way: more than 800
  • Successful RC training flights: more than 800
  • Laser-cut models that were constructed and flown: 1,400
  • Jet gliders that were constructed and zoomed through the sky: 2,750
  • AMA prize registrations that were completed: more than 2,900
  • Boeing/Guillow’s gliders that took flight: more than 5,000
  • Amount of fun and goodwill experienced: Infinite

Sources:

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