Pilots gather to show their radio-controlled flying skills

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
[email protected]

Radio controlled planes and their pilots from Arkansas and Oklahoma converged on Flightmasters Field south of Fort Smith over Memorial Day weekend to participate in the Cecil Venable Fun Fly-In event in memory of Cecil Venable, one of the Flightmasters Club founding members who passed away about eight years ago.

Nineteen pilots flew propeller (glow planes), copters, electric motor planes and even jets on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event continued on Sunday with more pilots expected. The $20 pilot fee included a drink and pizza lunch.

A friendly competition was held during the afternoon hours on both days with prizes of RC related gear awarded to first through third place finishers.

Saturday’s competition featured two timed events: A three loops, three rolls and landing competition and the fastest landing from a predetermined altitude. Sunday’s competition was focused on precision with a spot landing event — who could land closest to a marked point on the field. The electric planes, due to their ability to descend faster, were excluded from the timed events and had their own event on Sunday.

History was made on Saturday as the first turbine jet flown at the field took to the air. Cody Fields of Hensley, Ark. fired up his Falcon 120 with a Super Bee jet engine and took to the sky as spectators watched in awe. After loops, rolls and a few low passes, the plane’s pneumatic landing gear lowered and other pilots applauded following a smooth landing.

Cecil Collum, District 8 State Safety Coordinator for the Academy of Model Aeronautics
and vice president of Filghtmasters Club, said the glow planes fly 60-120 mph, the electrics can meet or even beat that speed and the jets can attain speeds of 345 mph.

If you have ever wanted to fly but couldn’t afford traditional pilot training and costs associated with flying, RC might just be the ticket.

"The price is just like electronics. (It) has gone down so much it’s made it to where it’s not a fortune to start," said Michael Cruse, the club’s former vice president.

"Growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional," Cruse added.

This could be the last year the event is held at the current location said Collum. The planned path of Interstate 49 will cross through the field. The club has 30-acres leased at Fort Chaffee and will move there once the land is cleared and if/when I-49 is built, Collum said.