Model Airplanes

This was the first “fun fly” of the season for the Duluth/Superior RC Club, better known as the group that flies model airplanes by radio control. This was a float fly, meaning the quarter-scale or smaller fuel and some electric planes had to be outfitted to take off and land on the water.

And there was the rub on this sun-splashed day with thousands of dragonflies skimming the air. A crosswind was rippling the lake and was keeping people from setting out right away. While the wind is of little concern once in the air, any small gust on takeoff or landing could lift a wing and dunk a craft.

Such mishaps are what the men were talking about as they caught up with each other after a winter of tinkering and hankering to get back out and fly.

“One will fly, and that will inspire the others,” Scott Johnson said.

Frank Tahtinen has drawn a crowd around his new deHavilland Beaver model, a plane designed for floats. He holds court with advice, lessons learned, the small revealings about the art of assembling the planes that people curiously prompt.

Steve Bowman took notice, smiling and thinking again that “Frank always has the best. It’s a running competition.”

So Bowman tried to steal the show by taking no time to launch his cream and orange Citabria, one built by his father some 30 years ago. At 9:40 a.m., the first plane was in the air. It’s old-fashioned and heavy enough that Bowman doesn’t have to worry so

Article source: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/pursuits/3764189-twin-ports-model-airplane-club-enjoys-first-flights-season

Braden Campbell’s science experiment was scaled-down models of some of the biggest jet-powered mechanics in the world – a wind tunnel and top military aircraft.

Eleven-year-old Campbell’s version was created from poster board, duct tape, a small fan and some model airplanes.

The Birchwood Elementary School fifth-grader’s experiment placed first in the fifth-grade mechanics and engineering division at the statewide Washington State Science and Engineering Fair. He also won a merit award from the Pacific Science Center.

The science fair, which had 675 entries this year, is open to students across the state.

Campbell used a scale to determine which of the airplane models lost the most weight — determining the “lift” provided by the wings — while in the wind tunnel.

The results determined the best-designed wings of the four he tested.

His initial predictions were based on the weight of the model airplanes before entering the wind tunnel.

The results were the complete opposite. The heaviest aircraft, the F-14 Tomcat had the best “lift” based on its wing design. And the lightest plane, the F/A-18 Hornet, performed the poorest.

Campbell says he was nervous presenting in front of top engineers from companies around the state, including Boeing.

When he was called up for his award he “couldn’t stop smiling,” Campbell says.

This was the third time Campbell had entered the competition and his first time walking away with an award.

This year’s experience has already inspired him to think ahead to 2016.

Campbell says next year he hopes to continue exploring engineering experiments but also learn more

Article source: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/living/family/article23541802.html

The Oakville Milton Flying Club is set to take flight with its annual model airplane Air Show.

It’s slated for Sunday, June 21 at Drumquin Park, located at 185 Britannia Road, just west of the corner of Britannia and Trafalgar roads.

Running from 12:30 to 3 p.m., the show is open to the public and will feature a wide variety of model planes — from classic civilian to replica First World War and Second World War aircraft — taking to the skies.

Article source: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5668204-model-airplane-club-takes-to-the-sky-for-public-show-at-milton-s-drumquin-park/

Flyers

Mark Campbell of the Tri-State Model Flyers Club attaches wings to his 1/3-scale military style L-4 “Grasshopper” at the club’s airfield in the Paul Coffey Industrial Park near Cannonsburg Friday afternoon. Remote-control enthusiasts with radios and other gear will meet at the airfield again today for the group’s annual fly-in and swap meet. Tim Preston / The Independent

Flyers

Model aircraft builders often include great detail and imagination in their aircraft. A handful of the airplanes awaiting a chance to take flight during this weekend’s fly-in and swap meet reflect the diversity of their owner’s tastes. Tim Preston / The Independent

Article source: http://www.dailyindependent.com/gallery/featured/aviators-abound-for-model-club-s-weekend-fly-in/article_a68e6490-1183-11e5-bd1f-9f4bbdea5cd5.html