Dayton – Radical RC Workbench

Local Company Leading Work on Unmanned Aircraft

Local Company Leading Work on Unmanned Aircraft – Springfield News Sun
Photo: Bill Lackey

frank beafore executive director of selecttech geospatial — Frank Beafore executive director of SelectTech GeoSpatial

SPRINGFIELD — An industry report this week predicted that unmanned aircraft systems will create more than 2,700 new Ohio jobs by 2025, but for one Springfield company, unmanned aircraft already make up 20 percent of the bottom line.
“I had intended to get into it. I didn’t intend to get into it so soon,” said Frank Beafore, executive……

“Don’t use the word drone. Ever,” Beafore said. “A drone is a dumb aircraft towed behind another aircraft for target practice.”

SelectTech GeoSpatial

Full Story:Local Company Leading Work on Unmanned Aircraft – Springfield News Sun

Dave’s Comments:
The above quotation is important. The “D” word is being used as a pejorative to attack our hobby and those that fly multi-rotors and experiment with FPV and other types of advancements in our hobby. It’s our job as experienced participants to use the correct language in order to disarm those that would try to redefine the model aircraft pastime as a bunch of peeping toms, spys or other nefarious operators. Many of the program advancements in military and defense vehicles are directly attributable to fellow RC’rs participation. Advancements from out own hobby is what makes these devices and the saving of American lives possible. I would suggest when you hear the “D” word, be quick to point out your model is not an object of target practice, nor is it an autonomous robot. Our models are remotely piloted by a human being.

Wiki Target Drone

Aerial Photo of Radical RC Location

Hi Dave,

Attached is a photo of a B-17 making a flyby over Wright Field. I think the shadow is about where your building’s located. Notice Huffman Dam and the train heading towards Fairborn on the old Big 4 RR.

Show this to Richard. He stopped by my tables at the Hara Arena Train Show a couple of weeks ago and I told him about this picture.

Regards,

Steve Neff
Neff Video Productions
Fairborn

Vist Neff Video Productions to see model and full scale rail video and images.

Fantasic Vintage Wright Photo Site

A collection of photo’s taken by Orville and Wilber Wright. Lots of Kittyhawk shots I’ve never seen before. Lots of flying shots also.

Old Photo Wright

Swap And Fly August 11, 2012 – Wingmaster Field

Every year in August the Dayton Wingmasters host a Swap and Fly. This year is the 4th annual Swap and Fly, it’s scheduled for Saturday August 11th. Last year we had a full house with a lot of merchandise being bought and sold. Every year it seems to grow and grow. This is an outdoor tailgate swap, bring your own tent/tables if you wish, give a good deal and get one. In addition we welcome you to fly with us at one of the area’s nicest fields. Cost to enter is free. $10 for selling space, first come, first serve. Food is available on site. We hope to see you there!

Gate Opens At 8:30 For Sellers / Set-Up Swap Meet Starts At 10:00 – Flying Starts At 12:00 – Flyer Below

2012 Wingmasters Swap And Fly Flyer

Wingmasters info and maps on Radical RC Workbench Blog

Wingmasters Club Website

Dayton Wingmasters Model Airplane Club

Wingmasters Logo

Location: The Dayton Wingmasters are located behind Wegertzen Garden Center. Entrance to the area is through the Wegertzent Garden Center main gate. Another gate is at the entrance to the model airport area.

Website: http://www.wingmasters.org/

Contact Email: Check Website

Access to the field: An access key is required. Obtaining and access key requires membership in the AMA. A fee is collected to offset the cost of maintainance, mowing and porta pottie expenses incured by the club. Membership in the club is not a requirement to fly at this facility, however, the club appreciates your memebership as support of the ongoing efforts. A membership includes access to electric.

GPS Geeks:
View Larger Map39.809665,-84.203027

View Larger Map

Model Airport Address: Still Water River Trail, Dayton, OH 45414 (for navigation purposes, not a mailing address)

AMA Club Charter: #499 Formed: ???? History: Tailspins Newsletter

Club Dues: $15 (Join at meeting or at RC Hobby Center)

Field Access Key: $25 (Available at meeting or RC Hobby Center)

Average Membership: 90-110
Memebership Limit?: No

Google Maps Satellite View
View Larger Map

Flying Hours: Monday thru Saturday 10:am to Dark, Sunday 12pm to Dark.

Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members.

Guest Flying:This club is open to guest flyers at any time.

What you’ll find: Wingmaser Field is a beautiful site. The 40 acre field includes a 40′ wide by 440′ long paved and striped runway, heli flying area, control line circles, shelterhouse, nessasary room, nearby lake, picnic tables, 110v electric and 12v electric. Area around the runway is closely mowed and the area north of the runway is usually in good enough condition for grass strip flying. This is the area’s largest group with flying every weekend and many activities.

Special Notes From Dave: It’s always “Gentlemanly” to observe the AMA Safety Code as a baseline at any new field until all local rules, etiquette and customs are learned. Be aware some fields have routine full scale air traffic nearby, others very little or none. It takes time to become aware of all the special concerns and routines at any new flying field.

Dayton Hamvention 2012 May 18-20

Yes, everything you see in the lot is a vendor booth with the exception of the left most triangle. The entire building is full. Several RC vendors with cross-over products attend this event.

Audio Commercial for Hamvention

Hamvention Home Page

I had a ball here one year ago. Not exactly modeling, however, it’s a tinker’s delight. You need to attend this event once in your lifetime. Lots of radio, computer, antenna and misc here. You can see it in one day if you keep those feet moving fast all day.

DARTS – Dayton Area Thermal Soarers

Location: Darts is located in Twin Towers Area Park in Yellow Springs Ohio.

Website: http://www.daytonsoaring.org/

Contact Email: Email Links Here

Access to the field: Open Park

GPS Geeks: +39° 49′ 10.44″, -83° 56′ 47.87″( 39.819567, -83.946630 Station is accessible ‎)

Address: Twin Towers Area Park, 501 Yellow Springs Fairfield Rd, Fairborn, OH 45387

View Larger Map

AMA Club Charter: #889 Formed: Nov 1972

Club Dues: $25 Average Membership: ??? Memebership Limit?: No

Flying Hours: I have no data on flying hours for this location.

Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members. See Club Website for official information.

Guest Flying: I’ve flown with these guys as a guest and I know the many soaring contests they hold include people from all over the region. This is certainly an open and friendly group.

Google Map with notes from a member. Also lists other soaring sites in the area.

What you’ll find: This is THE club in the region for Soaring, both fun and competition. This has always been an active group. Be sure to check the club schedule for a variety of activities. The flying area is all grass. A Park shelterhouse is nearby providing picnic tables and headquarters for contests. There are some active soccer fields to the north and there is no flying from these fields or over players.

National Museum of the US Airforce

Museum Hours
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
FREE admission!

Museum Location
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
(937) 255-3286

Website: National Museum of the US Air Force
USAFM Event Calendar: Events
Photo: Photo Collection

If your on your way to Dayton, odds are your visiting the Airforce Museum. I can’t tell you more than the official website, however I can offer that that you will need more than a day to enjoy the museum properly. Plan on 1.5 to 2 days to really take it all in and not be rushed. The IMAX movies are lots of fun and very reasonable in cost. It’s a great way to rest your feet in the middle of the day.

Look to plan your trip during special activities or perhaps when a significant modeling activity is underway in the Miami Valley. The museum holds many special events each year. You can meet great hero’s like living Doolittle Raiders and others. There are often special tours behind the scenes or in resoration facilities. Wings & Things Guest Lectures are given on aviation history and technology.

Dolittle Raiders — Tung-Sheng Liu (third from right in white jacket) stands with the crew of Lt. Travis Hoover. He helped these men escape capture following the Doolittle Raid. He later immigrated to the United States and was one of four individuals names as honorary Doolittle Raiders. (U.S. Air Force photo

Spend some time on the site to see what’s going on and be sure to check out my list of significant modeling events in the area. Plan time to visit some local hobby shops. You never know what you might find hanging from the ceiling or perhaps you’ll see a project underway that will light fire under your enthusiasm.

RC Hobby Center

RC Hobby Center Building
Address: 2130 Harshman Rd., Dayton, Ohio 45424
GPS Geeks: Latitude+39° 48′ 6.62″, Longitude-84° 7′ 48.55″, (39.801839, -84.130152) ‎
Phone: (937) 436-6161
Website: www.rchobbycenter.com
Email: RC Hobby Center Email (info@rchobbycenter.com)

ModelRama Vendor?: YES

Location:
Located 1.9 miles and 5 minutes west of the US Airforce Museum, just west of State Route 4. Across from Morris Furniture Mart.

What you’ll find:
Aircraft, radios, building supplies, smart slot car track, rc cars/trucks and parts. Service department. Home of Ganster Graphics. This shop puts on indoor flying evenings at the Irvin J Nutter Center throughout the winter months. Sign up for shop newsletter to be informed of dates.

Visual of Location:

View Larger Map

Map & driving directions from US Airforce Museum to RC Hobby Center.

View Larger Map

Street View (image outdated) location of new RC Hobby Center building:

View Larger Map

Visiting Dayton? Airplane Activities

Be sure to check out the sub-categories open under “Visiting Dayton Aviation”. You’ll find information about the Airforce Museum, local hobby shops, model airports, important local events and aviation attractions you can visit both nearby and a short drive outside the area. Regardless if your in town for a visit or on business, if you’ve got some extra time to look around Dayton, there is plenty to do.

This area of Ohio has some of the country’s best flying fields and several clubs over 100 members. Aviation both full scale and model is strong here. If you “Speak Model Airplane”, you’ll agree, Dayton is heaven.