Author: Paul Bradley
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 72,73,74,75,76,77,78
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A charming, low-key group with big ideas

Small Model Airplane Lovers' League

by Paul Bradley

Background

Since Model Aviation began, aeromodelers have been fascinated with airplanes that fly in small spaces, are little in stature, and use diminutive power sources. Several years ago, two familiar names in the aeromodeling community—Randy Randolph and Joe Wagner (MA’s “The Engine Shop” columnist)—decided a gathering was needed for people who enjoy that aspect of the hobby.

The movement became known as the Small Airplane Lovers’ League, or SMALL. SMALL is not a formal organization but rather a recognition of a facet of model aviation that many participants enjoy. The only “rule” is that airplanes need to be powered by engines or equivalent power sources that do not exceed .26 cu. in. displacement for a two-stroke. CL (control-line) models can have power sources up to the equivalent of a .35 engine. Multiple power plants are allowed, so the aircraft can range in size from the palm of your hand to Giant Scale.

At Randy and Joe’s urging, Steve Staples and Emmett Fry, good friends and residents of the Little Rock, Arkansas, area, organized a SMALL fly-in 19 years ago. It blossomed into an annual gathering that has become a cornucopia of models in an atmosphere of pure fun.

2009 fly-in overview

The 2009 SMALL fly-in took place June 5–7. As with many such events, a large portion of the out-of-town participants arrived a day early to maximize their fun. As it had for the two previous years, the Fraternal Association of RC Modelers (FARM) hosted this year's SMALL event. FARM primarily enjoys Giant Scale RC, but its members know how to organize and run an event for minute models. Many thanks to its members and to Dale Womack, who served as the contest director (CD).

Spring weather around the greater Little Rock area had people worried about the scheduled gathering, but fortunately Mother Nature delivered wonderful conditions. When the wind blew, it was modest and short in duration.

A total of 72 participants registered for the fly-in. Someone attempting to count all of the models on the field lost count after 400. There were plenty of spectators, and the deep-blue sky was full of aircraft for much of each event day.

Field, facilities, and flying areas

The large free-flight (FF) area was covered by tall, soft foliage. The grass RC runway worked for most small-wheeled models, and a grass-covered CL section served those fliers well. To make things complete, a nice gym located roughly 1.5 miles from the field was available for indoor flying the evening of June 5.

Participants and models

It is hard to know where to begin when reporting on an event as unique as the SMALL fly-in. Probably the best place to start is the incredible variety of models and the number of aircraft many pilots brought.

  • The team of Bob Selman and Ken Spenser had nearly 60 operational aircraft—wingspans of roughly 10 inches apiece—so all of them fit in Bob's van.
  • Tom Blakeney and Richard Ng of the Fort Worth, Texas, area drove their own vehicles so they could bring all their models.
  • Pat Tritle of Pat's Custom Models and Charlie Bice of Manzano Laser Works had a trailer full of lovely scale aircraft, as did Keith Sparks.
  • Numerous other fliers also brought large collections of neat models.

The airplanes ranged widely in size and type. Ralph Bradley had several palm-size aircraft that he flew outdoors and indoors. Bob Selman had a collection of 1:72 indoor scale models that he sells, developed by Joe Malinchak (MA's "Micro-Flying" columnist) for Plantraco.

Moving up in size were some terrific Cox .010-powered models by Troy Black and Floyd Harp. At the large end of the SMALL spectrum were Keith Sparks' magnificent B-58 and C-130. Michael Connally and Ernest Butler had super-light, 6-foot-span aircraft that were compelling to watch in flight.

Notable aircraft and demonstrations

The range of sizes was impressive, and so was the mix of types and subjects. Highlights included:

  • Paul Shiflet's Marston Pterodactyl from Marston PteroWorks—a pterodactyl in the air.
  • Michael Connally's 6-foot, light autogiro.
  • Paul Willenborg's Fan Trainer.
  • Troy Black's 1/2A Skydrill and .010-powered Li'l Stick.
  • Floyd Harp's demonstration of a .010-powered reduced-size Scoots (Jesse Sheppard design), showing how well a .010-powered model can perform.
  • Steve Staples' Roy Clough-designed Ringer, one of the more unusual aircraft in the air.

Several autogiros were present—glow powered and electric, in small, medium, and large sizes, single- and double-rotor designs—providing a great show when flown.

EPP-foam eagles from FlyParty, flown by Park Fleming, Michael Connally, and Ernest Butler, looked convincing until one started looping; they also had the local bird population upset during flights.

Michael Connally and Ernest Butler are masters at flying foam-constructed aircraft. They were responsible for the original flying hydroplanes that became a huge hit, and they build large, amazingly light aircraft such as the 6-foot Spacewalker Ernest constructed entirely from 3mm foam sheet. The Spacewalker weighs only 18 ounces and can be flown indoors or outside. Ernest equipped it with flaps; with flaps fully deployed it literally hangs in the air.

SMALL is a haven for scale models. Keith Sparks' twin-pusher B-58 was a showstopper. Pat Tritle brought a selection of lightweight scale models that impressed attendees. Paul Willenborg scratch-built a lovely little BD-5 that performed well. Other notable scratch-built aircraft included Don Johnson's Bellanca Aircruiser, Phil Semmer's red-silk-covered WACO, and a rescaled Dave Robelen-designed Piper Vagabond built by Gary Schubert.

Because of the sheer volume of models, this article covers only a sampling—apologies to the builders and pilots not mentioned.

People and personalities

The models are matched by the personalities in attendance. It’s unlikely you’ll find a more fun group of model aviation nuts in one place.

  • Pat Tritle and Mike Midkiff provided much entertainment while flying FF models. Pat even flew free flight while wearing an RC transmitter neck strap.
  • Keith Sparks, an established RCer, participated in FF this year and flew a unique rubber-powered Aeronca Chief (a reversal of the Pat Tritle kit conversion designed originally for electric RC). The Chief flew beautifully—perhaps too beautifully—and ended up in the top of a tall, dense-leafed tree.
  • Eric Clutton (aka Dr. Diesel) walked the event with his pet parakeet, Willie, perched on his finger or his hat. When Willie rested, Eric and Joe Wagner collaborated on running engines or swapping notes.
  • Brian Sodt provides transportation for Joe Wagner. This year Brian brought his 8½-year-old son, Nathan, who received flight instruction from Kevin Wilfong on Joe's CL Flite Streak and from Eddie Williams using Eddie's RC model—a promising introduction to lifelong modeling for Nathan.

Virtual pilot demonstration

Marshal Singer presented an impressive virtual-pilot station. I noticed a man sitting in a lawn chair wearing odd-looking sunglasses that were actually virtual-display glasses. In front of him were other ground-station items and a transmitter; he was flying a Multiplex Easy Star far out and high using his FPV setup. The onboard video camera was slaved to Marshal’s head position, so as he turned his head the camera moved—giving him the same viewpoint as if he were sitting inside the model.

The Easy Star carried a GPS unit that provided feedback to Marshal's ground station. He could see a heads-up display of altitude and heading. Marshal reported the system had a 3-mile range. To maintain safety, two spotters kept track of the model from the ground. The system kept a big grin on Marshal’s face while flying.

Final thoughts and invitation

Words and photos can’t fully capture the SMALL fly-in experience. Why not see it for yourself? Head to Little Rock in 2010 to help celebrate this special event’s 20th anniversary.

Paul Bradley [email protected]

Sources

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