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!