Model Airplanes

PASO ROBLES – The Paso Robles Air Fest and FlyIn last weekend was enjoyed by aviation enthusiasts both young and old, local and not so local. There were helicopters, fire planes, crew, free rides and quite a few “not so typical” birds to check out.

One in particular was a 1939 Bowlus Baby Albatross made of solid polished hardwood and metal. There were only about 50 of them built in the San Fernando Valley according to owner Jeff Byard.

“Most of them were sold as kits like this one but the war was just starting so a lot of the kits didn’t get finished,” Byard said. “This one didn’t get finished until 1968, took one flight and then it was put in storage. I bought it in 1990 with 2 hours and 38 minutes on it.”

When asked what it was like to fly such a beautiful thing Byard responded, “Oh, just delightful. Nice and slow, open cockpit, you can smell the flowers.”

For those that didn’t have a plane of their own to fly, and were 8-17 years old, there were free 30-minute rides offered by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles Program.

“We love the kids and we want to get them enthused about flying,” said EAA pilot and volunteer Linda Korman. “There’s not a lot of people going into aviation so we just want to encourage kids to consider another route.”

Headquartered in Osh Kosh, Wis., the Young Eagles is an international program

Article source: https://pasoroblespress.com/article/airfest-something-in-the-air-for-everyone

Geneseo’s 12th annual Trains, Planes  Automobiles festival will be Sept. 7-9 in Geneseo.

Claudia Loucks

Geneseo’s 12th annual Trains, Planes  Automobiles festival will be Sept. 7-9 in Geneseo.

This year’s celebration gets underway Thursday, Sept. 7, when the GenAir pilots host the National Stearman Fly-In. Members of the public can view the World War II aircrafts land and take off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gen-Air Park, east of Geneseo on U.S. Route 6.

The airport display will include a two-seat aerobatic plane, built by Bob Johnson, airport manager. The plane is painted to resemble a P-51, he said, and added it took him more than years to build. “I wanted an aerobatic plane, and I wanted a plane that will go fast and be aerobatic, and mine will go up to 200 miles per hour.”

Returning this year will be “Cruise the Canal” tours of the historic Hennepin Canal on Friday, Sept. 8.

Rhonda Ludwig, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce said, “The tours started at Trains, Planes Automobiles, a few years ago and after not offering them one year, we learned they continue to be a big hit so we are including them again this year. They are a great asset to the weekend activities, and give people an opportunity to see and hear all the Hennepin has to offer, with facts about the history of the canal.”

The tours last approximately 90 minutes, departing at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Article source: http://www.geneseorepublic.com/news/20170901/geneseo-prepares-for-trains-planes--automobiles

The Llano Estacado model airplane Club will host its annual James Mears Combat Bash from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2., and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at George Davis Park at 15th Street and Inler Avenue.

This world class, triple elimination F2d competition that will feature some of the world’s best model airplane pilots. Competition is expected to draw expert pilots from the Ukraine, Muldova, Latvia, Mexico and California.

The event is free to the public.

For more information, contact Bob Mears at (806) 778-5465.

Article source: http://lubbockonline.com/news/life/2017-08-30/model-airplanes-take-lubbock-skies-during-weekend

Jim Mesko TheSuburbanite.com correspondent

GREEN  The recent Collings Foundation “Wings of Freedom” Airshow at the Military Aviation Preservation Society (MAPS) Museum in Green drew record crowds for the three day event.

The annual airshow featured four famous World War II-era planes that were on display and also available for rides. These included a P-51 “Mustang” fighter, and a B-17 “Flying Fortress,” a B-24 “Liberator,” and a B-25 “Mitchell” bomber. Joining them on the runway was MAPS’ B-26 “Marauder,” another World War II bomber that the museum is restoring. The B-26 normally is kept inside the hangar, but on this weekend it joined the other planes in a rare display of historical aircraft.

According to a Collings Foundation spokesperson, the group a total of 40 flights during the show. Unfortunately, the B-17 experienced an engine malfunction on the second afternoon and was unable to fly the rest of the event. The plane was able to depart in the middle of the following week after the necessary parts to repair the engine arrived and were installed. 

“This was the largest crowd we have had since I have been here, ” said MAPS Director Kim Kovesci. “We really had beautiful weather for the whole weekend.”

“I was a little concerned on Friday and early Saturday morning,” added MAPS President Bob Schwartz. “It was a little overcast and rainy but it cleared up and we had great weather for an airshow. There was a nice breeze. It wasn’t too hot and the skies were pretty clear-perfect airshow weather.”

Besides the bombers on display, people could

Article source: http://www.thesuburbanite.com/news/20170830/colling-foundation-air-show-draws-record-crowds

Ottumwa had a fantastic opportunity to show off this past weekend with Fly Iowa’s visit. In our not-so-humble opinion, we think the community pulled it off.

On Friday evening we spoke with one man who goes to Fly Iowa every year to photograph the event. When we asked about the turnout, he said he was impressed. Friday is apparently the slow day most of the time, and the crowd that came out for the night air show was a good one in his view.

That’s particularly impressive given the fact Fly Iowa had so much competition that night. The first game at the (mostly) renovated Schafer Stadium attracted football fans and OCCP had its production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

Strong crowds followed on Saturday. Sunday started slow, but by the time the air show took off there was a good audience waiting. An estimated 20,000 people attended over the course of the three days.

It was a treat to see a Stearman biplane back at the airport after so many were stationed there as part of the Naval Air Station. The B-25, Mustang and Zero were impressive, and seeing those old warbirds fly was something those who saw it won’t soon forget.

Other planes from that era were parked during Fly Iowa, but that gave people the opportunity to get up close and see planes that are, in some cases, among the few of their type still flying. The Commemorative Air Force outdid itself in helping bring history to life.

The stunt pilots lived up to

Article source: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/opinion/ottumwa-seizes-its-opportunity-to-shine/article_a6b02fe0-8cf5-11e7-a955-a35414b04cde.html