Model Airplanes

Divers working for several emergency response agencies have expanded their search area off the San Pedro Harbor for any survivors following a mid-air collision involving two light aircraft Friday afternoon.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jonathan McCormick said the Federal Aviation Administration has confirmed that a mid-air collision took place near the Point Fermin Lighthouse, and two separate tail identification numbers were recovered.

Responders did not know how many passengers were involved in the crash, and the multi-agency search was ongoing as of about 9 p.m. Friday.

The report of the crash came in at 3:28 p.m.

Coast Guard officials said in a statement late Friday the search area had been expanded to 200 square miles. The Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin and Coast Guard Cutter Narwahl were being used in the search.

Several agencies responded to the scene, including Los Angeles County fire, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and the Long Beach Fire and Police departments.

The crew of a

Article source: http://www.presstelegram.com/general-news/20160205/two-planes-down-off-long-beach-coast-dive-team-deployed

Since time immemorial, humans have gazed up at the sky in wonder and awe. While some have touched the cool breath of the wind inside airplanes, others have learned to get their fill another way.

The men who gather at the airfield at Willie McCool Regional Park, 4400 Horse Drive in North Las Vegas, have learned to become the pilot of their dreams through remote-controlled airplanes.

“I feel like I’m living vicariously through my airplane,” said Frank Kelley, 76, president of PropNuts, a group for remote-controlled modelers. “I used to fly full-scale airplanes before I retired; this allows me to get (almost) the same feeling of flight.”

The former Air Force pilot flew B-52 bombers and C-141 Starlifter cargo planes during the Vietnam War era. He said he was first introduced to control-line model airplanes when he was 12 years old.

During his time in the Air Force, Kelley began flying remote-controlled airplanes while he was working as a navigator, during which time he had to pull a lot of alerts — “in other words, just sitting and watching,” he said.

“I took up RC flying during that period because it gave us something to do, and it was allowed,” he said. “I’ve been flying ever since.”

He retired from the military after 21 years and switched to flying commercial Boeing 737 airplanes for 23 years.

While he misses being a pilot on an actual plane, he said his hobby helps fill the void with almost as much excitement.

“Flying a radio-controlled aircraft allows me to do what

Article source: http://www.reviewjournal.com/view/north-las-vegas-airfield-gathering-place-remote-controlled-plane-enthusiasts

The Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers Club is asking the City Council to continue leasing land south of Union Reservoir for another four years.

The club has been leasing the property east of County Line Road and north of Ken Pratt boulevard since 2006, city staff wrote in a memo to council. The land is owned by the Longmont water department and managed by natural resources department staff. The club has maintained the site well over the past 10 years as they fly their remote-controlled model airplanes.

Ken Huson, Longmont water resources manager, said the club started out with a five-year lease in 2006 for $10 per year. After that lease was up, they entered into another five-year lease for $100 per year. The club has made all their payments to date, Huson said.

The new lease would be until 2020 and the rate is $100 per year. The City Council will decide the lease issue at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Article source: http://www.timescall.com/news/ci_29478919/longmont-council-consider-model-airplane-clubs-lease-south

Meditating. Knitting and crocheting. Making friendship bracelets.

All popular activities among different crowds, but perhaps not what you would expect to find at your local high school. Yet they are among the offerings at four area public high schools: Hinsdale South, Hinsdale Central, Lyons Township and York.

“Clubs are nice for kids not involved in sports,” said Pam Conrad, a Hinsdale South guidance department secretary and co-sponsor of the Yarning for a Cause Club. “Knitting or crocheting have become really popular, and it’s a lot of fun to sit in a circle and learn a lifelong skill.”

The club, co-sponsored by secretary Debbie Kozlick, has 41 student members who learn knitting and crocheting, and donate finished projects to charity fundraisers. Senior Beatrice Balsevicius learned when she was 12 to crochet from her grandmother and has continued to enjoy that activity as a club member.

“I was really surprised when I found out they had this club here,” she said. “I hadn’t heard of anyone else my age doing it.”

The club is among about 75 different student clubs at each school. And while many are common offerings at schools, some of are less frequently seen.

Sally Phillip, Hinsdale Central’s activities director, said the school has 94 clubs.

“It’s all student driven, and we want students doing the follow through,” she said.

Phillip said requests from students to start a new club are presented to a Student Council committee and herself for review and must have a minimum of 50

Article source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-high-school-clubs-tl-0211-20160205-story.html