Model Airplanes

There is a battle in the skies on the western shore of Jordan Lake between scores of small planes and a pair of tiny birds, and the birds are winning.

The birds are Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, an endangered species spotted in October after being absent from the area for decades.

The planes belong to the 125 members of the Flying Tigers of Jordan Lake, a club that has been flying model airplanes at a small grass airstrip off Big Woods Road for 25 years.

Last month the N.C. Forestry Service, which manages the land, told the Flying Tigers that they would have to vacate the airstrip this year.

On Sunday, the Tigers held a “fly-in” to rally its members and others with the hopes of keeping their airstrip open.

State Sen. Valerie Foushee, a lifelong resident of the area making her first visit to the club, delivered her verdict: “I’m amazed.”

Foushee and more than a 100 club members watched a parade of planes soar into the sky: replicas of WWII-era P-51 Mustangs, P-47 Thunderbolts and T-28 Trojans. Two model Sopwith Camels, of WWI and Red Baron fame, twisted and spun in a mock dog fight.

“We promote STEM,” said Foushee, referring to what educators call Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “I’m standing here looking at a sky full of science and engineering and math.”

The club began using the field in 1991 under a handshake agreement with Forestry Service managers. The club maintains the field, mows the lawn and cleans up after every

Article source: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/chatham-county/article72367187.html

Article source: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/us-aviation-history-on-display-at-smoky-mountain-air-show/137801464

At a glance

The following employers and individuals also are being honored this year by the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana for having high ethical standards:

For-profit employers

• Jiffy Lube of Indiana, more than 100 workers

• McMahon Tire Service, 51 to 100 workers

• Eichhorn Jewelry, Decatur, 11 to 50 workers

• BB Loan Co., 1 to 10 workers

Charity of integrity

• Mustard Seed Furniture Bank

Individual of integrity

• Mike Nutter, president of the Fort Wayne TinCaps

Pillar of the community

• Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo

Students winning $2,000 scholarships

• Jenna Meyer, IPFW

• Shaly Saylor, Indiana Tech

• Brett Holder, Eastbrook High School

• Riley Peppler, Angola High School

If you go

What: 11th Annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust

Who: Better Business Bureau serving northern Indiana

When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Mirro Center for Research and Innovation, 10622 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne

Cost: $75 per person or $550 for a table of eight

For more information or to make a reservation: Call Amy Kill at 918-2069

Jeff and Rick Erickson dream of a world in which lazy Sunday mornings aren’t interrupted by noisy neighbors’ lawnmowers, snowblowers and chain saws.

A quieter engine designed by their late father, Frederick Erickson, makes that world possible.

The challenge facing the brothers and their company, Engine Research Associates Inc., is getting enough money to adapt the internal-combustion engine for multiple commercial uses, including a quieter dental drill.

For now, the Fort Wayne startup is focused on filling two Defense Department contracts for quiet, lightweight, low-vibration engines used to power surveillance drones.

The Ericksons are among several people being honored Thursday evening by

Article source: http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Torchbearers-for-innovation-12510917

nlavin

Nancy Lavin is the city hall reporter for The Frederick News-Post, writing about the people, places and politics of the city of Frederick. A Rhode Island native, she loves the beach, good grammar and exploring the area she now calls home.