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Nick Ziegler reported that in July 2024, he attended the Erie RC Scale Fly-In at the Erie Airpark in Erie, Illinois, home of the Quad Cities Challenger Aircraft. Erie RC has been around for nearly 50 years. Talk about an amazing field and amazing weather! The windsock didn’t move once. More than 20 pilots registered with roughly 80 airplanes. The club hosted a fun, laid-back event. He personally flew more there in one day than in all of the previous month!
The airplanes ranged from small foamys, Byron aircraft, many Balsa USA airplanes, turbines, all scales of models, and about anything you could think of by any manufacturer. There were also a pair of full-scale, beautiful J-3 Cubs in attendance. A beautiful Balsa USA Albatross won the event with a Kolm twin engine. Great prizes were raffled off. The food that the club cooked was mighty tasty, and there was plenty of it. It was well-organized and ran smoothly.
This event will grow with time if the club keeps up the great work.
James DeYoung reported that the Midwest Sundowners, in Wheeler, Indiana, held its 5th Annual Pylon Race in September 2024. They raced Quickie 500 (AMA 424), and Electric Formula One (EF-1, AMA 421). Co-contest directors were James and Dan Kane. Glenn Lang created the matrix. There were 16 pilots from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, and Arizona. Club members and some family members were pylon judges, starting line judges, and cut judges. Pete Sytpulkoski was the starter.
The weather was cool, and it rained a bit in the morning. The cool weather and rain didn’t dampen their spirits. They were able to fly four rounds in each class. In EF-1, Dan Kane came in first and had the fast time. In AMA 424, Mitchel Haupt came in first, and Mark Zeal had the fast time. Doug Bradley and Ernie Nevlida flew in their first race.
The low-key event is wonderful for anyone who wants to give Pylon Racing a try. They hope to do it again next year!
Brad Gamble reported that the Bolivar Sport Flyers received a rare request. Club member Jim House passed and the family asked if they could fly an airplane at his graveside service in April 2024. The weather was not cooperative when it was time to fly. The wind was gusting while Brad flew a lightweight, 3D model that bounced around the sky.
The grand kids said he was going to crash just like grandpa, but Brad landed without mishap. Jim loved to fly, so they played Snoopy and the Red Baron. A couple of Jim’s accomplishments were designing electrical grids for the International Space Station, as well as radar systems for Sikorsky Aircraft.
Gary Himes
Vice President District VI