Midwest Regional Float Fly - 2012/05

Midwest
Regional
Float Fly
The Skymaster’s by Jay Smith
I am enticed by aircraft flown from the water. There’s
a certain beauty and grace to the way they look.
I especially enjoy the amphibious aircraft of the
1930s, such as the Grumman Goose or the Sikorsky
S-39.
Although I haven’t had the opportunity to fly in any
of those classic watercraft, I have enjoyed rides in a
Cessna and a Maule, the latter of which arrived at the
2011 Midwest Regional Float Fly. The ride was thanks
to Mike Weltyk, and it allowed me to get a great aerial
photo.
The 2011 event, held on September 10 and 11, was
the 21st annual event hosted by the Skymasters Radio
Control Club at the Island Lake State Park in Brighton,
Michigan. It provides all the water a float-fly pilot
could want with its 40-acre lake and a 1,000-foot sandy
beach from which to fly.
To say I was excited to attend the float fly would
be an understatement. The event is well attended
each year and attracts some beautiful aircraft.
The weather on Saturday threatened to make
the first day much wetter than any float flier would
want, but by the time I arrived at the park and paid
my $8 fee for a daily recreational passport, the sky
had cleared and flying had begun.
20 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
event celebrates its 21st year
Steve Fredericks steadies his 98-inch
RC Maule, built from an Ikon Northwest
kit, alongside its full-scale counterpart.
Bob Mayhew scratch-built this beautiful de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.
The 14-pound model has an 83-inch wingspan and is powered by an
O.S. 91 four-stroke engine.
Mark Smith, from SeaPlane
Supply, handled the bulk of
airplane recovery using his own
boat and made countless trips
during the two days.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 21
22 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Pete Foss and the other club members did
a nice job getting the area ready. Pilot stations
on the beach were clearly marked and the pit
area was located behind them. Beyond that, a
roped-off area separated the public from the pits
for safety. The public area was also where the
food and hobby vendors were located and the
park provided access to bathrooms and a large
building where aircraft were stored overnight.
At the pilots’ meeting, I saw that the
Skymasters take safety seriously, ensuring all
flying was done from a pilot station with the
assistance of a spotter. In the water, buoys clearly
marked the taxiway close to shore and aircraft
were required to keep all flight operations
beyond them.
Mark Smith, from SeaPlane Supply, handled
Above: It took Jim Held six months to build this Martin PBM
Mariner from Keith Sparks plans. The 101-inch wingspan
model has a flying weight of 20 pounds and presented well
on the water and in the air.
It is easy to appreciate the beautiful venue from this vantage point
on the water. From its lush grass and plentiful shade trees, to the
sandy beach with easy water access, the Island Lake State Park is
accommodating.
Laddie Mikulasko
poses with his
Dornier Do X. The 80-
inch wingspan model
has 1,240 square
inches of wing area
and is powered by 12
electric motors.
Above: The Great Planes 1/4-scale RV-4
made a wonderful float airplane and
Jerry Hough put in several flights on
the model during the Midwest Regional
Float Fly.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 23
6026
6055
the bulk of airplane recovery using
his own boat and making countless
trips during the two days. He was
kind enough to take me with him on
a couple of runs to allow me to take
photos from a different perspective.
It reminded of my days as an RC boat
racer working pickup detail. Mark did
a great job. Also assisting with aircraft
recovery were Greg Cardillo and his
daughter, Alyssa, in their kayaks.
The event typically draws a couple
of full-scale aircraft that fly in. This
year, Mike Weltyk gave us a pass and
wing wag to let us know he would be
putting down.
Mike is a corporate pilot who enjoys
flying RC with his son. He flew in
for lunch and a chance to browse the
vendor row. While Mike was there,
modeler Steve Fredericks took the
opportunity to get a picture of his 98-
inch RC Maule alongside its full-scale
counterpart.
The Skymasters offered a dinner
on the beach Saturday shortly before
dark. The gathering provided a nice
opportunity to get to know some of
the pilots even better, while enjoying
pulled pork and chicken.
Noel Cross shared some interesting
stories of what it was like growing up
in England during World War II, his
experiences with modeling, and his
love for the Spitfire. When he spoke of
Bob Grossman built this terrific Sikorsky
S-39 that was flown by John Krupp. RCM
plans were enlarged 18% to produce a
90-inch wingspan. The full-scale S-39
resides at Fantasy of Flight in Florida.
Photos by the author
Most of the takeoffs and landings at the Midwest Regional Float Fly were picture-perfect;
however, when nearly 100 aircraft are flown in two days, inevitably a few will have a
disagreement with the water.
24 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Lois Sampson learned to fly
with a Sig LT-40 and then moved
to the Hangar 9 Cub to gain
experience flying from water.
This aerial photo, taken from the Maule, provides a unique
perspective of Island Lake State Park and the wide variety of
models in attendance.
the iconic aircraft, it was obvious that
the years hadn’t dimmed his memory
of the warbird valiantly defending his
homeland.
Robert Ball is another gentleman I
had the pleasure of meeting. A fellow
veteran and an excellent model builder,
his Gee Bee with matching floats
garnered much attention at the event.
Model Aviation contributor Laddie
Mikulasko is a regular at the Midwest
Regional Float Fly. Laddie has been
designing aircraft for us for several
years and normally I only get to see
him at the Toledo Expo, so it was a
great opportunity to see some of his
creations on the water and in the air!
Sunday’s weather was nice and a
large number of pilots returned with
their models for another fun day on
the water. I expect the raffle planned
for later that afternoon had a lot to do
with attendance.
The long drive home and another
commitment kept me from staying
the entire day, but during the
commute home to Muncie, Indiana,
I reflected on what a great event the
Midwest Regional Float Fly turned
out to be!
The club members have learned
much about sponsoring an excellent
event in the last 21 years and the
pilots appreciate this annual gathering.
Some even attended every one!
If you enjoy the combination of
water and aircraft with a beautiful
Michigan backdrop, the Midwest
Regional Float Fly is the place to be in
September.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources :
Skymasters Radio Control Club of Michigan
www.skymasters.org
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 25
Robert Ball turned his Gee Bee Sportster into a seaplane,
reminiscent of the Schneider Cup racers of the 1920s and ’30s. The
floats were scratch-built with the help of RC Seaplane Supply and
provided good water handling.
This rear view of a Sig LT-40, moments before it soared into
the air, shows the displacement of water typical of most
aircraft with floats.

Midwest
Regional
Float Fly
The Skymaster’s by Jay Smith
I am enticed by aircraft flown from the water. There’s
a certain beauty and grace to the way they look.
I especially enjoy the amphibious aircraft of the
1930s, such as the Grumman Goose or the Sikorsky
S-39.
Although I haven’t had the opportunity to fly in any
of those classic watercraft, I have enjoyed rides in a
Cessna and a Maule, the latter of which arrived at the
2011 Midwest Regional Float Fly. The ride was thanks
to Mike Weltyk, and it allowed me to get a great aerial
photo.
The 2011 event, held on September 10 and 11, was
the 21st annual event hosted by the Skymasters Radio
Control Club at the Island Lake State Park in Brighton,
Michigan. It provides all the water a float-fly pilot
could want with its 40-acre lake and a 1,000-foot sandy
beach from which to fly.
To say I was excited to attend the float fly would
be an understatement. The event is well attended
each year and attracts some beautiful aircraft.
The weather on Saturday threatened to make
the first day much wetter than any float flier would
want, but by the time I arrived at the park and paid
my $8 fee for a daily recreational passport, the sky
had cleared and flying had begun.
20 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
event celebrates its 21st year
Steve Fredericks steadies his 98-inch
RC Maule, built from an Ikon Northwest
kit, alongside its full-scale counterpart.
Bob Mayhew scratch-built this beautiful de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.
The 14-pound model has an 83-inch wingspan and is powered by an
O.S. 91 four-stroke engine.
Mark Smith, from SeaPlane
Supply, handled the bulk of
airplane recovery using his own
boat and made countless trips
during the two days.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 21
22 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Pete Foss and the other club members did
a nice job getting the area ready. Pilot stations
on the beach were clearly marked and the pit
area was located behind them. Beyond that, a
roped-off area separated the public from the pits
for safety. The public area was also where the
food and hobby vendors were located and the
park provided access to bathrooms and a large
building where aircraft were stored overnight.
At the pilots’ meeting, I saw that the
Skymasters take safety seriously, ensuring all
flying was done from a pilot station with the
assistance of a spotter. In the water, buoys clearly
marked the taxiway close to shore and aircraft
were required to keep all flight operations
beyond them.
Mark Smith, from SeaPlane Supply, handled
Above: It took Jim Held six months to build this Martin PBM
Mariner from Keith Sparks plans. The 101-inch wingspan
model has a flying weight of 20 pounds and presented well
on the water and in the air.
It is easy to appreciate the beautiful venue from this vantage point
on the water. From its lush grass and plentiful shade trees, to the
sandy beach with easy water access, the Island Lake State Park is
accommodating.
Laddie Mikulasko
poses with his
Dornier Do X. The 80-
inch wingspan model
has 1,240 square
inches of wing area
and is powered by 12
electric motors.
Above: The Great Planes 1/4-scale RV-4
made a wonderful float airplane and
Jerry Hough put in several flights on
the model during the Midwest Regional
Float Fly.
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 23
6026
6055
the bulk of airplane recovery using
his own boat and making countless
trips during the two days. He was
kind enough to take me with him on
a couple of runs to allow me to take
photos from a different perspective.
It reminded of my days as an RC boat
racer working pickup detail. Mark did
a great job. Also assisting with aircraft
recovery were Greg Cardillo and his
daughter, Alyssa, in their kayaks.
The event typically draws a couple
of full-scale aircraft that fly in. This
year, Mike Weltyk gave us a pass and
wing wag to let us know he would be
putting down.
Mike is a corporate pilot who enjoys
flying RC with his son. He flew in
for lunch and a chance to browse the
vendor row. While Mike was there,
modeler Steve Fredericks took the
opportunity to get a picture of his 98-
inch RC Maule alongside its full-scale
counterpart.
The Skymasters offered a dinner
on the beach Saturday shortly before
dark. The gathering provided a nice
opportunity to get to know some of
the pilots even better, while enjoying
pulled pork and chicken.
Noel Cross shared some interesting
stories of what it was like growing up
in England during World War II, his
experiences with modeling, and his
love for the Spitfire. When he spoke of
Bob Grossman built this terrific Sikorsky
S-39 that was flown by John Krupp. RCM
plans were enlarged 18% to produce a
90-inch wingspan. The full-scale S-39
resides at Fantasy of Flight in Florida.
Photos by the author
Most of the takeoffs and landings at the Midwest Regional Float Fly were picture-perfect;
however, when nearly 100 aircraft are flown in two days, inevitably a few will have a
disagreement with the water.
24 Model Aviation May 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
Lois Sampson learned to fly
with a Sig LT-40 and then moved
to the Hangar 9 Cub to gain
experience flying from water.
This aerial photo, taken from the Maule, provides a unique
perspective of Island Lake State Park and the wide variety of
models in attendance.
the iconic aircraft, it was obvious that
the years hadn’t dimmed his memory
of the warbird valiantly defending his
homeland.
Robert Ball is another gentleman I
had the pleasure of meeting. A fellow
veteran and an excellent model builder,
his Gee Bee with matching floats
garnered much attention at the event.
Model Aviation contributor Laddie
Mikulasko is a regular at the Midwest
Regional Float Fly. Laddie has been
designing aircraft for us for several
years and normally I only get to see
him at the Toledo Expo, so it was a
great opportunity to see some of his
creations on the water and in the air!
Sunday’s weather was nice and a
large number of pilots returned with
their models for another fun day on
the water. I expect the raffle planned
for later that afternoon had a lot to do
with attendance.
The long drive home and another
commitment kept me from staying
the entire day, but during the
commute home to Muncie, Indiana,
I reflected on what a great event the
Midwest Regional Float Fly turned
out to be!
The club members have learned
much about sponsoring an excellent
event in the last 21 years and the
pilots appreciate this annual gathering.
Some even attended every one!
If you enjoy the combination of
water and aircraft with a beautiful
Michigan backdrop, the Midwest
Regional Float Fly is the place to be in
September.
—Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources :
Skymasters Radio Control Club of Michigan
www.skymasters.org
www.ModelAviation.com May 2012 Model Aviation 25
Robert Ball turned his Gee Bee Sportster into a seaplane,
reminiscent of the Schneider Cup racers of the 1920s and ’30s. The
floats were scratch-built with the help of RC Seaplane Supply and
provided good water handling.
This rear view of a Sig LT-40, moments before it soared into
the air, shows the displacement of water typical of most
aircraft with floats.