WHEN YOU DRIVE to Riddell Field, it’s
almost like something you’d see in the movie
Field of Dreams. As you drive in and down
the road leading to the site, you are surrounded
by 6-foot cornstalks. Then the field appears
and you can’t help but be impressed by the
beautiful 450 x 850-foot airfield, its smooth
grass runways, and the rustic, parklike setting.
Riddell Field was the brainchild of
longtime Alban resident Larry Riddell, who
had dreamed of having an RC flying site in
Alban, Wisconsin. On March 21, 2005, Larry,
Dan Danczyk, and Jerry Seehafer decided it
was time to make that dream come true.
With property Larry owned and seed
money of only $300, the three started what
some would consider a huge task. After all,
they were in Alban: a farming community of
only 912. Most modelers outside that area
knew little of the club and its new field. Larry
knew that Alban wasn’t a highly traveled area
and that many would say that it was out of the
way, but that didn’t stop those guys; they went
ahead with their plan.
On July 9, 2005, Riddell Field was
officially open and the Alban R/C Flyers
had its own RC flying site. As word got out
that there was a new RC field in the town,
the club started to grow and currently has a
membership of 21.
The Alban area does support a host of
recreational activities. According to Larry,
a new RC flying field “ … will complement
the community even more, and hopefully
by having the new field here in Alban, it’ll
attract not only area youth into model
aviation, but youth from surrounding cities
and towns.”
As the club members prepared for their
annual picnic, which was to be September 6,
2008, they wanted to get the word out early,
in hopes of attracting other pilots from across
the state. They knew that theirs wasn’t a big
community event, but the more fliers who
knew about their event and site, the more
people would come to fly at the field and meet
the club members.
That would help promote the club and, it
was hoped, spark the interest of area youth
and the community as a whole. After all,
model aviation is a family-oriented activity
that is open to everyone.
Larry contacted Tom Ryan, the area
District VII AMA associate vice president, in
June and asked for his assistance in promoting
the picnic. Tom drove up from Milwaukee,
toured the area, and met with local Rosholt
officials.
“Let me see if I can help your event and
get the word out,” said Tom after his visit.
He did, and news of the event spread.
Pilots attended from across the state; it was a
full house. More than 80 models filled the
flightline that Saturday, and food and
refreshments were shuttled in for a noon feast.
Aircraft poised on the flightline and ready
to fly included 40 size, Giant Scale,
helicopters, gliders, and turbine-powered jets.
There was even a Quadrocopter, which is a
four-motor aerial-photo platform made in
Germany. Marty Gischeldmeier of New
Berlin, Wisconsin, piloted the craft and
obtained several great photos from ground
level up to 200 feet.
Other guests included AMA District VII
Vice President Bill Oberdieck, who flew in
from Southgate, Michigan; Tom Ryan; and
city officials from nearby Rosholt. The
Rosholt newspaper even had a reporter, Kate
Zdroik, there to cover the event.
Fliers showed up from Franklin,
Wisconsin, which is home of the RAMS RC
club. Larry Sperberg and Jim Vanderwalker
of the Shawano RC Club, in Shawano,
Wisconsin, also traveled to attend.
Mike Lutzenberger of Milwaukee was at
the gathering, flying his aerobatic Ugly Stick
powered by an O.S. .55 engine and showing
Mike Hodge of Alban how well it performed.
That’s normal at an RC event, but those guys
were special. Both are quadriplegics who
sustained spinal cord injuries in accidents
early in their lives.
Mike Lutzenberger had always wanted to
fly RC but didn’t know if he could,
considering his injury. So he joined the
RAMS RC club, hooked up with an
instructor, and worked at flying. Now he’s an
outstanding pilot and proves it every time he
flies.
After seeing Mike Lutzenberger fly, Mike
Hodge hopes that he can do the same and has
been working on a flight simulator to learn the
basics. We hope that he will be ready to fly a
trainer this summer.
Larry Riddell looked up when the jets flew
by and remarked, “If the local kids could only
see and hear this. Man, that’s impressive.”
The Alban club hopes that the local high
school and other area youth groups will take
an interest in model aviation. Larry views
flying model airplanes as an alterative to
sitting in front of computers, playing
computer games all day. He hopes to get other
community leaders involved and to assist him
in bringing area young people out to the field
to see for themselves the excitement and fun
that model aviation has to offer.
As the picnic came to an end and the fliers
headed home, many remarked that they had a
good time and would be back. Bill Oberdieck
stayed awhile longer and chatted with Larry
and some of the Alban membership. He
complimented them on a job well done and
shared ideas for the club’s continued growth.
Then it was time for Bill to head off to
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to visit with yet
another club. There are more than 255 in this
district; it’s impossible for Bill to get to them
all, but he visits as many as time allows.
After all was said and done, Larry and his
wife, Marilyn, remarked that the club picnic
turned out to be a great day of flying, food,
and fellowship.
“We never thought so many fliers would
show up and enjoy the day with us, but we’re
glad they did,” they said.
The little club from Alban, Wisconsin, had
proven the saying from Field of Dreams: “If
you build it, they will come.” They did, and
we hope they continue to do so as our hobby
grows and promotes camaraderie and fun.
Riddell Field is located at 10343 White Pine
Road, just east of Rosholt, Wisconsin. To find
the field, take Highway 66 east to County
Road A, head south on A to White Pine Road,
turn left, and head east roughly a half mile.
There is a “Riddell Field” sign on the right.
Turn right at the sign and follow that road
back to the flying site.
If you want to rough it, you can camp
overnight at the flying site; however, there are
no electric or water hookups. There is no
charge for AMA members to stay overnight at
the field. If you decide to camp and do require
hookups, there is a beautiful RV park just
minutes away. There are also several nice
motels within minutes of the field.
The location is a perfect setting for those
who would like to arrive on a Friday night and
make a weekend of flying and enjoying all the
area has to offer. The vicinity of Rosholt has a
wonderful host of recreational events,
restaurants, and businesses, all of which are
close and convenient to Riddell Field.
You can fish, hunt, hike, or simply enjoy
the local historic values. This rustic
community is also home to many businesses
you might never expect to find in a small
community setting such as Rosholt, making it
unique for its size and location.
For a bit faster pace, Riddell Field is close
to Stevens Point (or “the Point,” as locals call
it). It has everything from fast-food
restaurants to five-star dining, a fine
complement of shopping centers, and motels
with evening entertainment at a modest price.
Larry’s dream is shared by all of us who
enjoy RC aviation. It creates new friends and
promotes companionship. It’s one of the last
activities families can enjoy in which age or
gender isn’t a factor. The excitement and
pride of owning a model airplane is surpassed
only by flying it.
The thrill of flight is alive and well in this
community. And with people such as Larry
Riddell, it will be for years to come. MA
Tom Ryan
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 49,50,51
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 49,50,51
WHEN YOU DRIVE to Riddell Field, it’s
almost like something you’d see in the movie
Field of Dreams. As you drive in and down
the road leading to the site, you are surrounded
by 6-foot cornstalks. Then the field appears
and you can’t help but be impressed by the
beautiful 450 x 850-foot airfield, its smooth
grass runways, and the rustic, parklike setting.
Riddell Field was the brainchild of
longtime Alban resident Larry Riddell, who
had dreamed of having an RC flying site in
Alban, Wisconsin. On March 21, 2005, Larry,
Dan Danczyk, and Jerry Seehafer decided it
was time to make that dream come true.
With property Larry owned and seed
money of only $300, the three started what
some would consider a huge task. After all,
they were in Alban: a farming community of
only 912. Most modelers outside that area
knew little of the club and its new field. Larry
knew that Alban wasn’t a highly traveled area
and that many would say that it was out of the
way, but that didn’t stop those guys; they went
ahead with their plan.
On July 9, 2005, Riddell Field was
officially open and the Alban R/C Flyers
had its own RC flying site. As word got out
that there was a new RC field in the town,
the club started to grow and currently has a
membership of 21.
The Alban area does support a host of
recreational activities. According to Larry,
a new RC flying field “ … will complement
the community even more, and hopefully
by having the new field here in Alban, it’ll
attract not only area youth into model
aviation, but youth from surrounding cities
and towns.”
As the club members prepared for their
annual picnic, which was to be September 6,
2008, they wanted to get the word out early,
in hopes of attracting other pilots from across
the state. They knew that theirs wasn’t a big
community event, but the more fliers who
knew about their event and site, the more
people would come to fly at the field and meet
the club members.
That would help promote the club and, it
was hoped, spark the interest of area youth
and the community as a whole. After all,
model aviation is a family-oriented activity
that is open to everyone.
Larry contacted Tom Ryan, the area
District VII AMA associate vice president, in
June and asked for his assistance in promoting
the picnic. Tom drove up from Milwaukee,
toured the area, and met with local Rosholt
officials.
“Let me see if I can help your event and
get the word out,” said Tom after his visit.
He did, and news of the event spread.
Pilots attended from across the state; it was a
full house. More than 80 models filled the
flightline that Saturday, and food and
refreshments were shuttled in for a noon feast.
Aircraft poised on the flightline and ready
to fly included 40 size, Giant Scale,
helicopters, gliders, and turbine-powered jets.
There was even a Quadrocopter, which is a
four-motor aerial-photo platform made in
Germany. Marty Gischeldmeier of New
Berlin, Wisconsin, piloted the craft and
obtained several great photos from ground
level up to 200 feet.
Other guests included AMA District VII
Vice President Bill Oberdieck, who flew in
from Southgate, Michigan; Tom Ryan; and
city officials from nearby Rosholt. The
Rosholt newspaper even had a reporter, Kate
Zdroik, there to cover the event.
Fliers showed up from Franklin,
Wisconsin, which is home of the RAMS RC
club. Larry Sperberg and Jim Vanderwalker
of the Shawano RC Club, in Shawano,
Wisconsin, also traveled to attend.
Mike Lutzenberger of Milwaukee was at
the gathering, flying his aerobatic Ugly Stick
powered by an O.S. .55 engine and showing
Mike Hodge of Alban how well it performed.
That’s normal at an RC event, but those guys
were special. Both are quadriplegics who
sustained spinal cord injuries in accidents
early in their lives.
Mike Lutzenberger had always wanted to
fly RC but didn’t know if he could,
considering his injury. So he joined the
RAMS RC club, hooked up with an
instructor, and worked at flying. Now he’s an
outstanding pilot and proves it every time he
flies.
After seeing Mike Lutzenberger fly, Mike
Hodge hopes that he can do the same and has
been working on a flight simulator to learn the
basics. We hope that he will be ready to fly a
trainer this summer.
Larry Riddell looked up when the jets flew
by and remarked, “If the local kids could only
see and hear this. Man, that’s impressive.”
The Alban club hopes that the local high
school and other area youth groups will take
an interest in model aviation. Larry views
flying model airplanes as an alterative to
sitting in front of computers, playing
computer games all day. He hopes to get other
community leaders involved and to assist him
in bringing area young people out to the field
to see for themselves the excitement and fun
that model aviation has to offer.
As the picnic came to an end and the fliers
headed home, many remarked that they had a
good time and would be back. Bill Oberdieck
stayed awhile longer and chatted with Larry
and some of the Alban membership. He
complimented them on a job well done and
shared ideas for the club’s continued growth.
Then it was time for Bill to head off to
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to visit with yet
another club. There are more than 255 in this
district; it’s impossible for Bill to get to them
all, but he visits as many as time allows.
After all was said and done, Larry and his
wife, Marilyn, remarked that the club picnic
turned out to be a great day of flying, food,
and fellowship.
“We never thought so many fliers would
show up and enjoy the day with us, but we’re
glad they did,” they said.
The little club from Alban, Wisconsin, had
proven the saying from Field of Dreams: “If
you build it, they will come.” They did, and
we hope they continue to do so as our hobby
grows and promotes camaraderie and fun.
Riddell Field is located at 10343 White Pine
Road, just east of Rosholt, Wisconsin. To find
the field, take Highway 66 east to County
Road A, head south on A to White Pine Road,
turn left, and head east roughly a half mile.
There is a “Riddell Field” sign on the right.
Turn right at the sign and follow that road
back to the flying site.
If you want to rough it, you can camp
overnight at the flying site; however, there are
no electric or water hookups. There is no
charge for AMA members to stay overnight at
the field. If you decide to camp and do require
hookups, there is a beautiful RV park just
minutes away. There are also several nice
motels within minutes of the field.
The location is a perfect setting for those
who would like to arrive on a Friday night and
make a weekend of flying and enjoying all the
area has to offer. The vicinity of Rosholt has a
wonderful host of recreational events,
restaurants, and businesses, all of which are
close and convenient to Riddell Field.
You can fish, hunt, hike, or simply enjoy
the local historic values. This rustic
community is also home to many businesses
you might never expect to find in a small
community setting such as Rosholt, making it
unique for its size and location.
For a bit faster pace, Riddell Field is close
to Stevens Point (or “the Point,” as locals call
it). It has everything from fast-food
restaurants to five-star dining, a fine
complement of shopping centers, and motels
with evening entertainment at a modest price.
Larry’s dream is shared by all of us who
enjoy RC aviation. It creates new friends and
promotes companionship. It’s one of the last
activities families can enjoy in which age or
gender isn’t a factor. The excitement and
pride of owning a model airplane is surpassed
only by flying it.
The thrill of flight is alive and well in this
community. And with people such as Larry
Riddell, it will be for years to come. MA
Tom Ryan
[email protected]
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 49,50,51
WHEN YOU DRIVE to Riddell Field, it’s
almost like something you’d see in the movie
Field of Dreams. As you drive in and down
the road leading to the site, you are surrounded
by 6-foot cornstalks. Then the field appears
and you can’t help but be impressed by the
beautiful 450 x 850-foot airfield, its smooth
grass runways, and the rustic, parklike setting.
Riddell Field was the brainchild of
longtime Alban resident Larry Riddell, who
had dreamed of having an RC flying site in
Alban, Wisconsin. On March 21, 2005, Larry,
Dan Danczyk, and Jerry Seehafer decided it
was time to make that dream come true.
With property Larry owned and seed
money of only $300, the three started what
some would consider a huge task. After all,
they were in Alban: a farming community of
only 912. Most modelers outside that area
knew little of the club and its new field. Larry
knew that Alban wasn’t a highly traveled area
and that many would say that it was out of the
way, but that didn’t stop those guys; they went
ahead with their plan.
On July 9, 2005, Riddell Field was
officially open and the Alban R/C Flyers
had its own RC flying site. As word got out
that there was a new RC field in the town,
the club started to grow and currently has a
membership of 21.
The Alban area does support a host of
recreational activities. According to Larry,
a new RC flying field “ … will complement
the community even more, and hopefully
by having the new field here in Alban, it’ll
attract not only area youth into model
aviation, but youth from surrounding cities
and towns.”
As the club members prepared for their
annual picnic, which was to be September 6,
2008, they wanted to get the word out early,
in hopes of attracting other pilots from across
the state. They knew that theirs wasn’t a big
community event, but the more fliers who
knew about their event and site, the more
people would come to fly at the field and meet
the club members.
That would help promote the club and, it
was hoped, spark the interest of area youth
and the community as a whole. After all,
model aviation is a family-oriented activity
that is open to everyone.
Larry contacted Tom Ryan, the area
District VII AMA associate vice president, in
June and asked for his assistance in promoting
the picnic. Tom drove up from Milwaukee,
toured the area, and met with local Rosholt
officials.
“Let me see if I can help your event and
get the word out,” said Tom after his visit.
He did, and news of the event spread.
Pilots attended from across the state; it was a
full house. More than 80 models filled the
flightline that Saturday, and food and
refreshments were shuttled in for a noon feast.
Aircraft poised on the flightline and ready
to fly included 40 size, Giant Scale,
helicopters, gliders, and turbine-powered jets.
There was even a Quadrocopter, which is a
four-motor aerial-photo platform made in
Germany. Marty Gischeldmeier of New
Berlin, Wisconsin, piloted the craft and
obtained several great photos from ground
level up to 200 feet.
Other guests included AMA District VII
Vice President Bill Oberdieck, who flew in
from Southgate, Michigan; Tom Ryan; and
city officials from nearby Rosholt. The
Rosholt newspaper even had a reporter, Kate
Zdroik, there to cover the event.
Fliers showed up from Franklin,
Wisconsin, which is home of the RAMS RC
club. Larry Sperberg and Jim Vanderwalker
of the Shawano RC Club, in Shawano,
Wisconsin, also traveled to attend.
Mike Lutzenberger of Milwaukee was at
the gathering, flying his aerobatic Ugly Stick
powered by an O.S. .55 engine and showing
Mike Hodge of Alban how well it performed.
That’s normal at an RC event, but those guys
were special. Both are quadriplegics who
sustained spinal cord injuries in accidents
early in their lives.
Mike Lutzenberger had always wanted to
fly RC but didn’t know if he could,
considering his injury. So he joined the
RAMS RC club, hooked up with an
instructor, and worked at flying. Now he’s an
outstanding pilot and proves it every time he
flies.
After seeing Mike Lutzenberger fly, Mike
Hodge hopes that he can do the same and has
been working on a flight simulator to learn the
basics. We hope that he will be ready to fly a
trainer this summer.
Larry Riddell looked up when the jets flew
by and remarked, “If the local kids could only
see and hear this. Man, that’s impressive.”
The Alban club hopes that the local high
school and other area youth groups will take
an interest in model aviation. Larry views
flying model airplanes as an alterative to
sitting in front of computers, playing
computer games all day. He hopes to get other
community leaders involved and to assist him
in bringing area young people out to the field
to see for themselves the excitement and fun
that model aviation has to offer.
As the picnic came to an end and the fliers
headed home, many remarked that they had a
good time and would be back. Bill Oberdieck
stayed awhile longer and chatted with Larry
and some of the Alban membership. He
complimented them on a job well done and
shared ideas for the club’s continued growth.
Then it was time for Bill to head off to
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, to visit with yet
another club. There are more than 255 in this
district; it’s impossible for Bill to get to them
all, but he visits as many as time allows.
After all was said and done, Larry and his
wife, Marilyn, remarked that the club picnic
turned out to be a great day of flying, food,
and fellowship.
“We never thought so many fliers would
show up and enjoy the day with us, but we’re
glad they did,” they said.
The little club from Alban, Wisconsin, had
proven the saying from Field of Dreams: “If
you build it, they will come.” They did, and
we hope they continue to do so as our hobby
grows and promotes camaraderie and fun.
Riddell Field is located at 10343 White Pine
Road, just east of Rosholt, Wisconsin. To find
the field, take Highway 66 east to County
Road A, head south on A to White Pine Road,
turn left, and head east roughly a half mile.
There is a “Riddell Field” sign on the right.
Turn right at the sign and follow that road
back to the flying site.
If you want to rough it, you can camp
overnight at the flying site; however, there are
no electric or water hookups. There is no
charge for AMA members to stay overnight at
the field. If you decide to camp and do require
hookups, there is a beautiful RV park just
minutes away. There are also several nice
motels within minutes of the field.
The location is a perfect setting for those
who would like to arrive on a Friday night and
make a weekend of flying and enjoying all the
area has to offer. The vicinity of Rosholt has a
wonderful host of recreational events,
restaurants, and businesses, all of which are
close and convenient to Riddell Field.
You can fish, hunt, hike, or simply enjoy
the local historic values. This rustic
community is also home to many businesses
you might never expect to find in a small
community setting such as Rosholt, making it
unique for its size and location.
For a bit faster pace, Riddell Field is close
to Stevens Point (or “the Point,” as locals call
it). It has everything from fast-food
restaurants to five-star dining, a fine
complement of shopping centers, and motels
with evening entertainment at a modest price.
Larry’s dream is shared by all of us who
enjoy RC aviation. It creates new friends and
promotes companionship. It’s one of the last
activities families can enjoy in which age or
gender isn’t a factor. The excitement and
pride of owning a model airplane is surpassed
only by flying it.
The thrill of flight is alive and well in this
community. And with people such as Larry
Riddell, it will be for years to come. MA
Tom Ryan
[email protected]
