WATTS over Owatonna
A celebration of electric flight in Minnesota
by Steve Mills
For the past four years, the Southern Minnesota Model Aircraft Club (SMMAC) outside Owatonna, Minnesota, has hosted an all-electric fly-in called WATTS over Owatonna. It quickly grew into a well-attended event with more than 150 pilots and sponsors, including Great Planes and Sig Manufacturing, plus vendors from numerous states. Pilots representing more than 12 states, including some from the East and West Coasts, attended this year.
Event overview
WATTS over Owatonna is celebrated for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and excellent flying facilities. The club’s goal for any event is simple: if you’re not having fun, it’s not worth doing. The event takes place in late July / early August; this year it was held on the first weekend in August and was blessed with excellent weather — mild temperatures in the low 80s and winds below 10 mph.
Why pilots come
- A great field: a 700-foot fabric runway surrounded by a 1,200-foot grass runway.
- Convenience: campers can park at the field and stay all weekend.
- Amenities: food available from breakfast to dinner and electric power on the flightline for charging batteries.
- Camaraderie: more than 150 fellow electric RC pilots and a welcoming atmosphere.
Field and facilities
Having a seasoned farmer on the planning team is a big bonus; farmers know the weather and the best timing for clear skies. The site offers ample space, multiple flightlines, and a dedicated crew to help coordinate operations.
Pre-event and Friday
The event officially started Friday morning, but pilots were invited to come early and fly on Thursday. More than 50 pilots were at the field by Thursday evening for the pre-event spaghetti dinner put on by SMMAC.
Friday began with dawn patrol as early as 6 a.m., pancakes and sausage from the club kitchen, quick registration, and a brief pilots’ meeting. Most of Friday was open flying with two flightlines set up to maximize use of the field.
Flightlines and schedule
- Main flightline: eight flight stations, primarily for larger sport models. The main line was staffed by a flightline crew with help from Twin Cities Radio Controllers to coordinate takeoffs and landings and ensure safety.
- Park-flyer field (west end): for smaller and slower aircraft — 3-D foam airplanes, micro RTF planes, small helicopters, and multirotors.
At the top of every hour the main flightline was reserved for 3-D flying, giving 3-D pilots dedicated time to perform without worrying about the general pattern. Helicopters were given a timeslot after the 3-D sessions.
Saturday: events and highlights
Saturday brought more pilots and great flying conditions. The day featured a mix of open flying and organized events, with more than $3,000 in prizes awarded. Event staff ran a cash raffle and performed prize drops from a Sensei trainer — always fun as kids and adults chased parachute drops.
Noontime demos were pilot-inclusive, starting with a mass warbird launch: more than 20 pilots and airplanes circled the field. Although there were no midairs, several warbirds belly-landed on the runway.
Combat flying provided plenty of carnage and entertainment as pilots battled for the WATTS 2013 Combat Champion title. Energy management proved crucial; Scott Russell made the final hit with his flying wing, bringing two airplanes down.
After helicopter and scale demonstrations, pilots returned to open flying.
Young pilots
It was great to see several young pilots at WATTS. Three who stood out were Ashleigh Heath (Michigan), Alex Schauer (Minnesota), and Ben Kies (Minnesota). All three flew together during every 3-D slot; each had a few years of flying experience plus many hours on simulators and at the field. They connected online through RC forums and this was their first time meeting and flying together in person. They challenged and helped each other, and even put on an excellent nighttime demonstration.
Ashleigh impressed the pilots and staff enough to be awarded Best of Show for WATTS 2013. Keep an eye out for these young pilots at future fun-flys and 3-D events.
Sponsors and vendors
WATTS benefits from strong support by RC manufacturers and vendors. Notable participants included:
- Great Planes: primary sponsor since the first year, with a trailer full of recent releases. Representatives flew with pilots and offered flights on some not-yet-available airplanes (including buzz around the Flyzone Hadron).
- Sig Manufacturing: displayed a new line of ARFs, including the newly released Four Star 40 and T-Clips; Mike Gretz and Mike Stott demonstrated and let pilots try them out.
- AMA: well represented by several district associate vice presidents and AMA District VII Vice President Tim Jesky, who spent the weekend mingling with pilots and answering questions.
Dinner, awards, and night flying
Saturday evening the club hosted a large steak dinner and an awards ceremony. The meal featured rib-eye steaks, baked potatoes, and all-you-can-eat corn on the cob. Although WATTS is not a competition, SMMAC recognized individuals for exceptional skill or special contributions with awards such as Best Sport Flyer, Multiengine, Pilots' Choice, and Best of Show.
Following a raffle for choice prizes, night flying continued with the "Man vs. Mosquito" event. Pilots entered a special raffle by performing one night flight with any aircraft. Thanks to dry weather, there were few mosquitoes — just airplanes dancing among the stars on a cool Minnesota summer night.
Conclusion
WATTS over Owatonna continues to grow each year while remaining relaxed, friendly, and fun. SMMAC members welcome electric RC enthusiasts from many states, and with support from sponsors such as Great Planes, Sig Manufacturing, and the AMA, the event remains enjoyable for all involved. Watch for WATTS over Owatonna in its fifth year in 2014.
—Steve Mills [email protected]
Sources
WATTS over Owatonna www.wattsflyin.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
