Benton County RC Club - Chili Feed Fun Fly

So what do you get when you mix RC airplanes with 21 pilots, 3 pylon races and 5 gallons of chili?


Well, the end of every September a very special event occurs at the Brian Unwin Fly Field in Adair, Oregon. The annual Benton County RC Club's Chili Feed Fun Fly!


 It is an AMA sanctuioned event so AMA membership is required to fly, however visitors and guests are welcome. For more information the website is http://bentoncountyrc.org/.

If after looking at the pictures and video you think  ' hey! this place looks strangely formilar', your not lossing it! This was the first RC flying field featured on RealFlight R/C Flight Simulator. Because Corvallis Oregon is the home of Knife Edge software the creators of Real Flight. Clicking on the pictures will enlarge them.

Billings Flying Mustangs - Billings Montana

As we head West we stopped in Billings Montana at Chamberlain RC Field, home of the Billings Flying Mustangs RC flying club. Their field is located seven miles West of Billings. Some of the really cool amenities it offers is a paved 7' by 450' runway, RC race track and webcams to check out the field conditions!

The RC club has been located here since 1958 and is supported by 80 members. During the summer they enjoy aero-towing and look forward to the BFM FunFly that is held the 3rd weekend in June. During the winter the fun doesn't stop! They switch to flying with skis and indoor flying when the weather doesn't cooperate.

While we were at the field we met Dick Jones, Bob Blumer, "Wild Bill" Poehls and Andre Czeczel. Andre in also the distributor for a line of RC sailplanes imported from Poland. You can check them out at www.arthobby.com.

So what does their Flying field look like from the air? Funny you would ask!



Billings was our last RC flying field stop on the way home. But I couldn't help but sneak in a picture of a really large ARF airplane headed for someone shop on the West coast! We hope you have our cross-country flying odessa. But the fun doesn't stop here. We are planning a fly over of our home field and next month there is the Benton County Chili feed and RC Funfly to cover.  If you would like to drop us a line you can do so at rchowto(at)gmail.com

EAA AirVenture Continued- Oshkosh, Wisconsin

As we mentioned before, RC airplanes and flying were well represented at AirVenture.

In the EAA museum we found the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) set up to introduce aviation enthusiasts to the unique advantages of RC model aircraft.  We spoke with Ben Flesher, who is a Marketing Specialist from the AMA, about  AMA's presents at AirVenture. He said it is a natural fit as many EAA members are also members of the AMA. We hope to see more collaboration between the two organizations. After all we all fly in the same air and the same laws of aerodynamics apply to both full scale aviation and RC airplanes. If I got my notes right, this is the first year the AMA has exibited at AirVenture.

In addition to the AMA display, there were also indoor electric RC flight demonstrations. Sorry no video, the one we planned to attend was canceled. Weather??? Outdoor flight demonstrations were by the Northern Aces Show Team. They have been flying at AirVenture for 8 years. As Jason Raduemz put it when asked about flying at Oshkosh, "The flying is fun and the crowds are awesome!" Between demonstrations they allowed the audience to experience RC Flying by use of a training radio or "buddy box". Nothing like a little stick time to catch flying fever.




E-Flite was there where were you?

In among the vendor we found a local RC hobby store Greenfield News & Hobby teamed up with E-Flite in a display booth.

This was one of the busiest vendor booths at the air show. The draw was impart due to a RC flight simulator giving booth the young and young at heart a chance to try RC flying without the fear of crashing.

With great sadness we turned our backs on AirVenture heading West and home. But it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings! We have one more RC airfield to visit, but thats another post. Until later, keep your shades on and your eye on the sky!

EAA AirVenture - Oshkosh, Wisconsin

We finally arrived at Airventure in Oshkosh, WI. Of course, it is better known as just Oshkosh to most EAA members. This is by far the largest air show in the United States. Let me just say at the outset, as a first time attendee, this place is HUGH!!! But our focus is on small things that fly, RC airplanes and flight. So, we are happy to report model aircraft were well represented here.

First, Airventure is a scale modelers paradise. Want to model a C47 or DC3? There were 21 to choose from.   Surely among the rows and rows of experimental, classic and vintage aircraft you would find your hearts desire. One of the really cool things about Oshkosh is you can wonder right among the aircraft no strings to keep people from walking all the way around them . But touch them only with your eyes!

Be sure to check out the EAA museum on the field for some of the unique aircraft that made history.

Like the Bugatti Model 100 Racer pictured here.

One other great resource for the RC scale modeler is the Boeing Aeronautical Library housed on the lower level of the museum. In talking the the library staff, they can help finding scale documentation for various airplanes and in many cases can provide more than just 3 view aircraft drawings.

Now there is even more of interest to the RC modeler at the EAA museum, as a new exhibit has opened featuring model aircraft and flying. The EAA collaborated the the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) to get the details just right. The display is truly impressive. For instance look at the RC radio collection pictured below. How many of these radios have you flown with or remember?

While this post has dealt primarily with scale modeling and the museum, during my next post we will look at some of the other RC aircraft offering that were at Oshkosh AirVenture.

Kopters Over Kragness Heli FunFly - Fargo North Dakota

There’s just something great about new things. The smell of a new car, the sound of the wrapping coming off a new RC helicopter or airplane kit. Well we are proud to bring you two new things. 

To start with the first annual R/C helicopter fun fly, Kopters Over Kragness Heli FunFly. This look to be the start of a glorious annual tradition. Check out Valley RC Flyers website. They have a great flying field just over the North Dakota - Minnesota boarder in Moorhead. It features a turf runway surrounder by acres and acres of farm fields. Not only that but it even sports shade trees over the club house.

But we promised you two new things. The second is Dave Mullen. Dave is new to RC with just over a years worth of flying under his belt. Check out his flying skills in the video below, as he wrings out his Align T-REX 550E electric helicopter. Dave is looking forward to attending IRCHA Jamboree (International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) in  August. Go get'em Dave!

Aerial RC flying over Yellowstone in Park Wyoming

As our journey continues, we spent a day at Yellowstone in Wyoming. After see the sights, what better way to enjoy the day than to try a little flying and aerial filming. Well, the wind was gusting up to 15 knots which made for an interesting time with the light wing loading of our electric radio controlled camera airplane.  Enjoy the video and be warned the ride is a bit bumpy.

Flying Club Wanted - Bozeman Montana

The final stop for the day was in Bozeman, Montana. In talking with the local hobby store we were surprised that there really is no RC airplane club in  Bozeman. There are a number of people in the area that fly RC aircraft, but no club and no flying field. So when life hands you a lemon make lemonade!

After asking about were people fly we set out to find such a field. We started with the camera ship. The aerial RC video is below.

Next Ethan flew the new Hobbyzone Aeronca Champ. This is a great starter airplane. What is really neat about it is for a beginner if you get into trouble just cut the throttle and let go of the sticks. In this configuration it will practically land itself!