A Partnership in Flight - 202/07
By Dick Tonan
Beechcraft Heritage Museum and local clubs work together to promote flying.
Overview
A full-scale aircraft museum and an association of model airplane clubs have teamed up to promote aviation. The Middle Tennessee R/C Clubs Association (MTRCCA) and the Beechcraft Heritage Museum found common ground in outreach, education, and encouraging youth participation in aviation.
Middle Tennessee R/C Clubs Association (MTRCCA)
- An AMA chapter formed six years ago.
- Members come from five middle-Tennessee AMA-chartered clubs.
- Aims:
- Promote fellowship among clubs in the middle-Tennessee region.
- Pool resources of member clubs to support large events.
- Encourage model aviation.
Beechcraft Heritage Museum
- Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, adjacent to Tullahoma Municipal Airport.
- Showcases the history of the Beechcraft family of airplanes.
- Committed to aviation education and preserving Beechcraft heritage.
- Incorporated under the auspices of the Staggerwing Club.
Collaboration and Air Show
When the MTRCCA’s annual RC air show had outgrown its previous venue, the board sought a new site for the October 1, 2011 event. Members and officials with the Tullahoma Airport Authority (TAA) discussed holding the event at Tullahoma Municipal Airport. Being an AMA chapter and assuring the TAA of their experience and safe operating procedures were key to garnering approval.
During these discussions, MTRCCA members met museum curator Wade McNabb. The association and museum realized they shared goals—especially promoting aviation to the public and youth—so they decided to collaborate on the air show and other museum events. The airport proved to be an outstanding flying site for the October air show and had the added benefit of being close to the museum, making the event more than a typical fly-in.
Saturday Evening Dinner and Museum Tour
- The museum hosted a catered dinner in a hangar with white-linen tables surrounded by classic Beechcraft aircraft, including:
- Model 17 Staggerwing (the first Beechcraft)
- The original Travel Air Mystery Ship
- A host of Model 18 Twin Beeches
- The Red Wine Effect trio provided music during the dinner.
- Wade McNabb led a guided tour of the museum after dinner; his knowledge and storytelling brought the collection and history to life.
Scot Perry Air Academy — Youth Outreach
The museum hosted its semiannual Scot Perry Air Academy the following Monday. Over the three-day period, local youth were exposed to various aspects of aviation, including model airplanes, model rockets, and hot air balloons.
MTRCCA members saw this as an opportunity to introduce youth to RC modeling. Several association members returned to the museum with four RC trainer aircraft and conducted introductory flights for the 18 youngsters attending the academy. The introductory flights were ranked the highlight of the academy by participants.
Beech Party Fly-In and RC Display
A couple of weeks after the association air show, the museum hosted its annual Beech Party Fly-In. Pilots from across the country flew vintage and modern Beechcraft aircraft into Tullahoma.
Association members arranged a static display of RC aircraft ranging from small electrics to a 50% Ultimate Biplane. The display also included turbine-powered models and RC helicopters.
A group of association members known as the Dog House Flyers provided some models and set up flight simulators with two 55-inch plasma monitors. The simulators were very popular: kids and full-scale pilots enjoyed them, and there was a long line of people waiting all day for turns. MTRCCA had planned several flight demos but managed only two late in the day, as many full-scale pilots were performing low passes down the runway in their Staggerwings, Twin Beeches, Bonanzas, and Barons.
Ongoing Collaboration and Future Plans
During the event, association members spoke with many museum members about a central challenge: how to get today’s youth interested in aviation. This discussion mirrors conversations at AMA Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, and among local clubs.
Several association members met with Wade McNabb to develop ideas, most focused on the museum-sponsored Air Academy. Both groups continue to meet to turn ideas into actions. MTRCCA members are optimistic that pooling association resources with the Beechcraft Heritage Museum will make a difference.
This year’s event will be held at the airport on September 15 and 16, with continued support from the museum.
Visit and Membership
The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is impressive, and several association members—including the author—are proud to be new museum members. It’s worth a visit.
— Dick Tonan [email protected]
Sources
- Middle Tennessee Radio Control Clubs Association
- Beechcraft Heritage Museum
www.beechcraftheritagemuseum.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
