Model aircraft society offers experts to teach, space to learn
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Lee Gay uses a radio controller to fly a model airplane at the Turtle International Airport near Shopiere on June 18. Members of the Rock River Aero Modeling Society use the field to practice their flying skills.
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Allen Austin, right, helps his grandson, Dalton DeVoll, start a model airplane at the Turtle International Airport.
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Don Oberdorf, left, of Janesville prepares his model airplane for flight on June 18 while Dalton DeVoll flies his in the background at Turtle International Airport near Shopiere. Both are members of the Rock River Aero Modeling Society.
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Two planes perform maneuvers against a blue-sky backdrop at Turtle International Airport.
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Dalton DeVoll uses a radio controller to fly his model airplane.
JANESVILLE — When Al Fillmore is flying one of his model airplanes, nothing else in this world matters.
“There’s a sense of euphoria. It’s like when you’re free-falling from skydiving,” said the 46-year-old Janesville man.
Flying takes his total concentration.
“It’s hard to hold a conversation with anybody because if you take your eyes away for one second, you could be in trouble. It takes 100 percent focus,” he said.
Fillmore first learned to fly on a simulator then with an instructor. But what’s been most helpful has been his membership with the local chapter of the Academy of Model Aeronautics that flies on the old landfill site in Shopiere.
“I had this beginner plane; there was no way I could get it to take off straight. No matter what I did, it went in circles,” Fillmore said.
But then while flying with a half-dozen Rock River Aero Modelers Society Chapter members—men who are retired and can be found flying their planes most mornings—Fillmore’s plane took flight.
“They gave me different ideas of wheels, extending the landing struts and changing the steering mechanism,” he said.
In addition, Fillmore said the chapter’s 51 members—ages 12 to 83—provide camaraderie and access to membership in the academy, which is important for liability insurance.
John Stock has experienced that camaraderie more than anyone. He has been a member of the academy since 1976 and is a 30-year member of the local aero modelers society that is dedicated to building and flying radio-controlled model aircraft.
“My uncle got me into it as a teen. Since then, I’ve had a love for airplanes,’’ said the 64-year-old Milton man, who is a retired appliance repairman.
Although Stock owns 50 model airplanes, he said he’s only built 10 of them.
“I have them in all different sizes,’’ he said of their 20-, 40- and 60-size engines with wing spans that average 56 inches.
“It’s just like a car collector or guy with a number of fishing poles or guns. I love airplanes. They come in all different shapes and sizes,’’ Stock said.
Some of Stock’s planes—scale models, nonscale and Almost Ready to Fly—are made from plans he buys and are assembled piece by piece from balsa wood and plywood. Others are made from kits with pieces already are cut and with instructions.
“I love building them. It’s just creating something and gives me a sense of accomplishment,’’ Stock said.
Stock doesn’t enter competitions, he simply flies for pleasure. He also instructs beginners, working the controls of planes alongside new pilots as needed.
Stock enjoys the challenge of flying. To learn, he read everything he could, then found an experienced instructor and trained with that person for five days.
Unlike Stock, Fillmore admired planes from afar. When he found some extra time and money, he bought a $20 Almost Ready to Fly model. He joined the local aero modelers society just over a year ago.
“I fly when I’m not busy and as much as I can,’’ he said.
“It’s challenging, meticulous work to build, take what you’ve created and put it up in the air and fly it,” Fillmore said.
People of all ages are taking flight with the local aero modelers society.
Bill Sanden, 13, Shopiere, joined in the fun this year.
“I came up (to the field) on my bike, watched them and was told to come to the meetings the first Tuesday of every month,” Sanden said.
A few weeks ago was his first flight with a Cadet plane, given to him by another chapter member.
“I could keep it up in the air, but my flight a few days ago didn’t go too well. I got into a nosedive,’’ Sanden said.
June 10 would have been Sanden’s third flight, but it was too windy. Instead he paged through a magazine fellow club member Dave Bates of Clinton brought him.
“He had no information, so I thought I’d bring him some books,’’ Bates said.
Allison Brookhiser, 12, Milton, joined in September.
“I want to pursue an aviation career. Flying is more than a hobby for me; it’s a passion,” she said.
Fillmore said flying never gets boring.
“If it’s a new plane, I’m just going to get the feel of it, keep it right side up and land it successfully.”
Then he adds spins, rolls and stalls.
“If you get used to one plane or think you can advance to the next level, then you get a more difficult plane, and with that you can do different maneuvers,” he said.
“The sky is the limit.”
BEGINNER TIPS
-- Get a good trainer airplane
There are too many out there to name but it is important to start to lessen the risk and danger of crashing. A trainer plane’s high-wing loading allows one to fly and land at a much slower speed, giving the flyer time to react to what the plane is doing. Don’t try to learn to fly with an aerobatic aircraft.
-- Decide what radio to buy
This depends on a flyer’s budget but I recommend a computer radio that costs around $50 over a Basic 4 channel because it has more options. I like the Futaba 7c, Hitec Eclipse or the Hitec Opti 6, all of which have at least six-model memory with which a flyer can set up six models and use the same transmitter on all of them. If you buy a basic radio, you will need to buy a radio for each airplane you own and fly. It doesn’t take long to make up the extra cost of a computer radio.
-- Decide on an engine
I’m going to assume that you are setting up a 40-size trainer that would work well with a .46 engine. I like O.S. engines and recommend the O.S46 AX that costs around $110 or the Evolution 46 at around $90. Both are reliable and easy to get to run. But depending on your budget you might opt for a cheaper—around $70—brand such as Magnum or Super Tiger. Both engines seem to have good power but are a little harder to get to run reliably.
It’s your decision, but remember that if you have someone helping you, time in the air is much better than messing around with an engine on the table.
-- Decide on start-up gear
You’ll need a glow starter and fuel and either a chicken stick or a starter. When you use a starter you also need a 12-volt battery to power it.
—Tony Sanfratello, vice president, Rock River Modelers Society Chapter 669 of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
CHAPTER MEETINGS
The Rock River Aero Modelers Society Chapter 699 of the Academy of Model Aeronautics meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. May through September meetings are at the club’s field site—Turtle International Airport—next to Turtle Town Hall, 6916 S. County J, Shopiere, where meetings take place the rest of the year.
The next meeting is July 1.
The club has an AMA flying field, instructors and members who have years of experience building and flying model airplanes.
AMA membership is required (details and a membership form are available on club’s Web site at www.rrams.net. Annual club dues are $25 for adults and $5 for those younger than 18.
For more information, call chapter vice president Tony Sanfratello at (608) 931-0362 or e-mail tony6171@charter.net.
UPCOMING EVENTS
-- Saturday, Aug. 23—Second Float Fly, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Koshkonong, near Edgerton. Contact contest director Bob King, bobking@levelflight.net, (608) 868-4407. Check www.rrams.net for updates.
-- Saturday, Sept. 13—Fun Fly, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Turtle International Airport, next to Turtle Town Hall, 6916 S. County J, Shopiere.
Jun 26, 2008 at 2:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have seen that Allison fly - she is gonna be real good,as long as she stays focused! She is a good flyer - it is about time a girl takes the initiative to be in a "boys" sport, no matter what society says or feels threatened. Her Dad,Andrew is good too! The aviation future looks real good - all the young folks out there flying,like Dalton,are real good. I am glad to see the young kids getting involved in something worthwhile - they are a good bunch of kids.
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