Fun Fly attracts nearly 40 pilots

Ken Johnston
Editor

It was a high-flying success!
That was the word after this weekend’s 5th Annual Rainy River Internationals Model Airplane Fun Fly was over.
The local club, which consists of four members, Bill Hagarty of Rainy River, Len Moen, Sr. of Morson and Kevin McLean and Jim Lukebill both of Baudette, attracted 39 pilots to this year’s event. While that is down from 46 last year it is still almost double what they had the year before.
Pilots came from as far away as Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kenora, Thunder Bay and Bemidji, Minnesota. They flew planes at the local model airport constructed on land donated by Gerald and Judy Brennan. They flew both Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to the 39 pilots there were many members of the public that came out to watch the aerobatic display.
Hagarty said that while the flying is primary for some folks, often the networking with one another between flights is a big drawing card for pilots. A new comer from Portage La Prairie, MB. was experienced at rebuilding model airplane engines. His knowledge was greatly appreciated by the pilots at the fly.
A great many of the pilots fly low to moderately expensive planes. But some of them have invested as much as $4,000 in their plane(s).
Hagarty noted that they had 4 crashes over the weekend with one guy having three of them happen to him. However, pilots are used to crashes and most shake it off in a few minutes.
Hagarty said that former Rainy River Internationals member, Marc Sharpe, now living in Kenora, helped some new pilots learn the art of flying them. “We may have a couple of new prospects for our club thanks to Marc,” said Hagarty.
Pilots wanting to use the local model airplane field have to be members of the club to meet insurance requirements.
Fort Frances is currently starting a club and Hagarty said he and other members of the Internationals are planning to go there and fly with them and get things started.
Plans are also in the works for members from here to go to a fun fly in Bemidji, MN. in September.