Weekend was a high-flying success

by Ken Johnston
Editor

It was a high flying success!

The fourth annual Rainy River Internationals Model Air Plane Club Fun Fly was held over the weekend and the number of pilots in attendance rose dramatically to 46.

Last year there were 24, up from 20 the previous year. However as the event gets better known and the local pilots get better travelled, it has taken on a life of its own.

They came from 19 communities this year with new comers coming from Bemidji, MN, Russell, MB, Cass Lake, MN and Benedict, MN. Other communities represented included Kenora, ON, Grand Forks, ND, Crookston, MN, Thunder Bay, ON, Atikokan, ON, Laporte, MN, Winnipeg, MB, Rainy River, ON, Baudette, MN, Dryden, ON, Devlin, ON, Morson, ON, Portage la Prairie, MB, and Fort Frances, ON.

Both Bill Hagarty and Marc Sharpe of the RR club said that they attribute much of this year’s growth to the way the event is run, the facilities and the fact that they and two others (Kevin McLean and Jim Lukebill both of Baudette) have made it a point to go to as many other fun flies as possible.

They have been all the way to the Saskatchewan border in the west and Thunder Bay in the east. Next week they will be off to Bemidji.

The high ratings for the facilities and the way it is run come from the pilots in attendance. “On a scale of 1-10, it is definitely a 10,” said Hagarty.

The fact that the runway faces north means there are no problems with the sun. There are no neighbours to annoy and there are no obstructions. The field, which is donated by Gerald and Judy Fadden, is exceptionally smooth.

“Many first timers come and ask what we do to keep it so good,” said Sharpe.

Hagarty noted that they spent $125 on fertilizer this spring and that the rainy summer helped.

Planes flown at the Fun Fly over the weekend ranged from $200 to $4,000.

Most pilots fly lower cost planes. Sharpe said that the biggest cost for most is the radio controls, but noted that they stay with you and do not need to be replaced.

While some pilots fly steadily throughout the weekend, both Sharpe and Hagarty noted that a great deal of a fun fly revolves not around the flying but around the socializing with other pilots. Some pilots will drive for hours put in one flight a day, just to say they did, and spend the rest of the time talking to other hobby enthusiasts.

The Rainy River Fun Fly was second only to Asessippi, Manitoba who had 65 this year. However they also had an aerobatics airshow at the end of the fun fly. Sharpe and Hagarty said there are no plans to do that here. They plan to keep it strictly a fun event for the whole family and noted that several pilots brought their families this year.

Everything from a 1/4 scale spitfire (John Pirozek of Kenora) to remote control helicopters took to the air this year. Only one crash took place in the two day event and Sharpe said it was a fixable crash.

While there is no competition at the fun fly, the friendly comradery that takes place often turns to friendly chiding. “After a doink (crash) you have anywhere from about 2 to 10 minutes to think about it. After that you are fair game,” said Sharpe. “This hobby has to have a huge dose of humility in it. If you take yourself too seriously you won’t last.” Comments like “Nice spot landing,” echo throughout the field after a crash.

Sharpe said it is really a fun hobby and the fun fly is just the icing on the cake. The local club welcomes new pilots at their regular flying days, Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. Or you can check out their website at: http://www.flyrc.rcclubs.com