Here it is time to write the August column; I just don't know where this year has gone!  My thanks for all the warm wishes for our Europe trip - the trip went well, but my family there is rapidly diminishing.  Except for one favorite cousin in Switzerland, all the other relatives are over 80.  Wow!
    Our next trip (as you read this) is to Peru - starting with Lima, then a small Andean mountain village (over 11,000 feet high) called Chiquian, then to Machu Pichu and the Amazonian jungle.  This should be fun.
    Progress at Bollin has been made, although not as much as some members would have liked, but none the less, it is progress.  The new safety fence is in (many thanks to all those who labored long and hard on that project), the large plane pad is in, the grading is 90% complete, and the old rotten spools we used for tables have been scrapped, thanks to our friends in the orange jump suits.  Tom Campbell is constructing new tables as I write.  The one item that I haven't seen progress on yet is the incorporation, but that is just a matter of time.  The Arizona Corporation Commission is a government entity, and therefore takes its time to accomplish its work.
    I found the enclosed article, and submit it for your consideration.  The author makes several observations, and I'll leave it to each of you to decide whether to accept or reject them.

    Recently I was driving by the West Seneca Soccer field off East and West Road; I noticed a family out on the field trying to fly a park flyer airplane. 
    After observing from the sidelines for a short period it became obvious that the father did not know how to fly the airplane. I strolled over to him and identified myself as a member of the RC Aircrafters and described what we are all about. He then asked the anticipated question, Can you fly this thing for us?
    Never having flown with rudder and stab before I told him that it may take me a whack or two to get it right. Fortunately, the airplane had a nice hand-launched glide to it and after having him slowly toss the airplane a few times I was ready to power up the tiny electric motor.
    As the mini craft left his hand it climbed nicely and the slow speed allowed me to quickly gain some in- flight feel. The most significant part of the flight was the look of awe written on their faces when the airplane was, indeed, flying. Gazing back at the boy was the most enjoyable. His expression was carved from sheer amazement and fascination.
    I gauged him, Robert, to be around 11 years old, distinctly discovering that he was nine and a half. The flight only lasted for a few minutes and I kept the airplane in close anticipating the depletion of power.
     The landing brought a round of jumping, clapping, and cheering from the now delighted family. I now know how Lindbergh felt when he dropped his craft onto the shores of France.
     After a quick charge we were set to go again. The father, Bob Sr., not wanting to look inept again, declined the first offer to try it out. Robert got so excited when he realized that he could try it that he stumbled while charging over to me and fell face first into the soggy turf. Unfazed and never stopping his forward progress, he bounded up and was at my side in a flash. Not having a buddy box did not pose any problems the airplane literally floated at a maximum speed of three to five miles per hour into a barely perceptible breeze. Flying upwind and hands-off it hung nearly motionless in the sky. When Robert took the radio his excitement ignited the calm air. With minimal coaching he began his first Radio Control (RC) flight. He did amazingly well, a tribute to youth, I suppose.

    Aware that his father was feeling a little left out and with his pride somewhat compromised, I convinced him to try it on the next flight. I sensed an uneasiness that froze his expression and trembled his hands. Before we took off I went through the things that he, as a new RCer, would need to be responsible for, giving him an informational edge that would set him a level up from his son.
    We toggled the controls and then it was launch time. Steadying the airplane at a safe altitude I handed the radio to him and began giving quiet, almost inaudible instructions. Each second brought a new level of confidence until the pure joy of flying overflowed into a pool of exhilaration. As the power seeped away he tried to hand the radio to me. Instead, I continued to give him reassurance as the airplane began a graceful, feathery descent. As it touched down, Robert Jr., acknowledging a true modern day hero, ran to his father’s side and they embraced while reveling in their accomplishment.
    After humbly accepting their gratitude, it was time to leave them in their pristine moment of splendor. A treasured memory was born and shared between strangers. One that I will never forget.
    The controversy over park flyers will intensify in the coming years. Yes, they can be a hazard to established RC fields such as ours. To me it simply means that we need to be keenly aware of what is going on around us while at the field. With our experience and knowledge the burden falls squarely on our shoulders. I noticed on the Great Planes® Web site that they include a warning about flying their park flyers near RC fields. It will take some prodding by all the RC clubs to get every supplier to place these warnings on the packaging, instructions, and Web sites. But the adventuresome side of human nature has often precluded good judgment 
    The vast majority of the park flyer crowd will fly a few times and then move on to something else. Attrition will help to keep the threat of interference at a manageable level. Those who realize that there is much more to RCing will eventually get involved with a club. That is another great reason for all clubs to stay involved with the public. Not only is it a great opportunity to enlist newcomers, it is also a superb venue through which we can educate them and ourselves.
    The experience at that West Seneca field hopefully is repeated and cherished by many seasoned RCers worldwide.
    It is uncharacteristic of me to be so open with a stranger unless it is an emergency situation. RCing seems to bring out some great human qualities. There is a lot of that quality in our club and others throughout the world.

    Let’s go flying!    from The Flight-Log
    Radio Control Aircrafters of Western New York

Till Next month,   Keep ‘em flying
Bill.

     The next meeting of the MMRCC is scheduled for August 5, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the Northrop Grumman facility Personnel are required to sign-in and sign out for security purposes.