NC Space Cowboys
District IV
Club 4253
1254 Frankie Coburn Rd Pactolus, NC, 27834
RC NEWS
NC Space Cowboys Make a Comeback
After a four years of interruptions and COVID-19, the NC Space Cowboys held their fall fly-in. The staff arrived early to complete the finishing touches on the field. The excitement built as members and guests arrived for the event. Pilots unloaded their planes and filled the pit area with various aircraft. Many war birds set up residency under the canopy while other civilian planes stood watch by the fence, ready for flight.
As pilots waited for the dew to clear from the flight-line, member Bill Albrecht prepared an aeronautical piece that stood like a sentinel on a platform ready to take to the moon. His single-stage rocket thrilled young visitors, and each raced to recover it as it floated back to earth.
Soon the flight line was ready, and planes filled the sky. Guest roamed the pit area admiring the aircraft and talked with pilots about their planes. Later in the morning, Eagle Scout, Shane Trotman from Wilson’s Troop 4 visited the event. After seeing Brian Walker’s BVM Bobcat take to the sky, he and Walker discussed the hobby and what it would take to get involved. One member offered to help Trotman get into the hobby, and he accepted.
Frank Coburn, the Club President, pointed out one member who has excelled in the hobby with flying skills that exceed others with his flying experience. He said, “Brian Brody has learned to fly more aircraft in eighteen months than most learn in five years.” Brian gives credit for his flying ability to fellow member Jeff Mizelle. Brian is currently working on an A6M2 Zero balsa plane.
It wasn’t long and everyone gathered around the concession stand for a time of eating, fellowship and telling old war stories. The ladies of the club outdid themselves with fresh baked goods, and their wingman, Bill Albrecht, kept the crowd busy with hamburgers and hotdogs. Everyone raved about Mrs. Mae’s chilly, and some refused to leave without taking a helping with them.
God allowed fabulous weather and the North Carolina Space Cowboys hosted a wonderful fly-in. All pilots and aircraft made it through the day without incident, which in unusual for most fly-ins. Enthused pilots and guest alike said they look forward to the next event. Club President, Frank Coburn, says they are planning for future events and expect a great turn-out next fly-in. Hope to see you there.
Local Club Host Great Fly-in
Blue skies, favorable winds, and over fifty registered pilots set the stage for a perfect day at the Kinston Aero-Modelers fly-in.
The pit area filled with all types of large aircraft and pilots from different backgrounds, were more than willing to help those looking for building and flying tips.
Spectators of all ages watched as pilot and machines worked together in a choreograph of aerobatics and scale flying.
With the fly-in underway, there were several aircraft that wooed pilots and spectators alike.
Ryan Haldenwanger, from the Fredericksburg RC Club in Virgina, with his F/A 18 Super Hornet, sporting the Blue Angels #1 scheme, brought the flight line to a standstill as he piloted his aircraft with skill and precision.
His experience as a commercial pilot, and with over thirty-eight years as an RC modeler, it was no doubt that his flying skills are what they are.
When asked about his favorite plane, he said, “I love them all because each have their own flight characteristics.” He said the biggest model he has flown was the A10 Warthog weighing 44lb with a 144 inch wingspan.
For those who enjoy aerobatics, there was plenty of that to go around and get the adrenalin pumping.
Young modelers took to the sky with their large scale Extra three-hundreds and preformed feats that defied aerodynamics.
Flying in tandem, these performers pushed their aircraft to the limits. One would fly a knife-edge, while the other completed barrel rolls around it.
Sweeping the flight line with their tail section and torque roles added to the excitement
Taking a stroll further down the pit area, Capt. Joseph King showed us his favorite WWII aircraft, a P51 Mustang honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.
This vintage airplane looked real on the ground and performed great in the air. You could see his pride take to the sky when the “Captain” who has been flying RC aircraft since nineteen-sixty-three, brought this red tail beauty off the ground.
He said, “Out of all the airplanes I have flown, the P51 is my favorite.”
What would a fly-in be without the Candy Man. After everyone enjoyed bar-b-que chicken plates, hamburgers, and hotdogs, pilot Jeff took to the sky with his C130 with a payload of goodies for the kids. After making two passes over the flight line and the song Candy Man playing in the background, Jeff opened the cargo bay door and sweet goodies littered the runway. Once cleared by the safety officer, youngsters took to the field and confiscated all the goodies on the ground.
Overall, the Kinston Aero-Modelers put on a fantastic show. The members hosted a well-organized fly-in and spectator support far surpassed what one would imagine. I look forward to next year’s event and hope others will support them as well.
