Thoughts from the workbench of Radical RC. The online retailer of electronics and kits for radio control aircraft. Dave Thacker shares his thoughts and knowledge of electronics, batteries, kit design and overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Listen carefully, he’s talking about flights that predated what the Wrights considered the first sucessful flights. On the Dec 14th they damaged the aircraft and didn’t consider those flights a success. If you are lucky enough to know an old man, be sure to take time to listen to them. There is wisdom in that age you won’t soon aquire otherwise.
Please Tweet, Post or do whatever you can to help me the the news out to pilots that might want to fly their early aviation models at the Wright Aero Carnival at Huffman Prarie.
I am working with the National Parks to bring demonstration flying of early aircraft to the Wright Aero Carnival at Huffman Prairie. The Carnival is a celabration of the Wright Brothers and early aviation. Models may be brought for demonstration flying of any aircraft through 1916. All models are welcome, not only Wright machines. You may bring any aircraft, Curtiss, Langley, Bleriot, many WWI aircraft qualify, even controversal or failed aircraft are welcome. Essentially anything the Wrights might have read news accounts of, hear rumors of, anything that might have been part of the what was going on in the development of flight up to 1916. All of these aircraft help to tell the story of early aviation and that is the point of participating in the event. Flying will be from 10am to Noon and 1pm to 3pm on Saturday August 18, 2012. The public will be in attendance. It’s is a very special and rare opportunity to get a photo of you and your aircraft flying at the worlds first airport, Huffman Prairie.
Aircraft need not be museum scale. Stand off scale, is welcome also. Models of any size are welcome. We will be flying over the same grass as the Wrights flew over. A paved road ajoining the field is available for a runway. I plan to be there with my 1905 kit which is stand off scale. Won’t you bring your model an help fill in the story of early flight?
Flying is not allowed at Huffman Prairie at any other time.
Please contact me if you can come. davthacker77@aol.com (remove the 77, it’s there to foil spam email spiders) There is a limit of 10 pilot slots for this event.
This rare opportunity to fly at Huffman Prairie is also a great way to set a positive example for modeling with the US Airforce and the National Parks Service. Decision makers within the National Parks Service across the country will be reading accounts of this event. What you do here in Dayton on August 18 could have a big impact on modelers elsewhere in the country.
View Larger MapMap showing overall area including I-75, I-70 & I-675 highways.
View Larger Map
On the day of the event, you’ll enter at the Golf Course and follow the signs in. (zoom the map 1 level + to see the road names) On the map above, the west end of Pylon Road will be closed. You’ll drive around the field by following Hebble Creek to right on Marl to right on Symmes to right on Pylon. Our pit area will be between the replica launch derrick and Pylon road at the turn circle.
The view from the flying area of our pit area.
Check out the Wright Broghters Aeroplane Company website for more Wright Aircraft information in one single spot than anyplace else on the web.
Read the full story here.
Film was taken in Italy on April 24, 1907. It is the first time a motion picture was ever shot from a plane in flight. The footage shows what it was like to fly on one of the early Wright craft, with Wilbur at the helm. The clip opens with the launching, then the plane climbs, levels off, and passes over the flight grounds.
We’ll be at SEFF (Southeast Electric Flight Festival) held each year at Hodges Hobbies and flying field outside Americus Georgia. SEFF is one of the premier RC Flying events in the country. One of my favorite events to attend. Hodges Hobbies is on the field. This is place is RC Heaven. You won’t believe how beautiful it is. The photo below is a bit outdated, there is now a lake to fly from to go along with the golf green quality runway. This place is BIG. I’ve seen a full size Pitts come in and out of this field. The hospitality here is outstanding. Lots of good vendors and one of the best hobbyshops you’ll ever see is on the field. See the SEFF website for information about the show, camping, hotels and any other questions you may have. This event and location are “bucket list” quality. If you’ve never been, won’t you come this year? You wont’ be sorry!
When you see me on the flight line with the 1905, come on up. You can have a wiggle on the sticks. To me there is nothing more fun than sharing the a Wright Flyer. It flys like a big trainer except that you need to be comfortable flying with your left hand. She likes the rudder. I’ll see you at SEFF.
Find videos of SEFF’s at: Higher Plane and SKS Video.
PS: The home brew beer for the BBQ this year is an IPA.
Our newest product shown at Toledo 2012 gets a segment in this event coverage video. Thanks to Ken Issac of Toledo prep was 6 weeks of intensive work for all of us at Radical RC. We had a great show and are thankful for all of you that visited the booth. It’s always a boost to our enthusiasm to be reminded each year how many R/C’rs we get to have an impact on throughout the year. We had a great show and look forward to Toledo 2013. Thanks! Dave
Location: located at 3688 Byron Road near the town of Byron Ohio. This field is North East of Dayton proper.
Website:http://www.wsrenegades.org/
Contact Email: wrightstate.renegades@gmail.com
Access to the field: Combination lock
GPS Geeks:39.792098,-83.979385
Address:From Dayton Yellow Springs Road, driving North on Byron Road about 1/2 mile, gate is on right in tree’d area.
AMA Club Charter: #4208 Formed: ????
Club Dues: $50, Juniors $15 Average Membership: 15 Memebership Limit?: No
Flying Hours: Open 24 hours.
Club History: This club formed out of a loose group of flyers that gathered to fly at a Wright State University Parking Lot for decades. After some construction projects rendered the lot less useful, they formed a club.
Renegades at Wright State Lot Freeze Fly
Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members.
Guest Flying: I am aware this club allows guests of members to fly. Stop by on a Saturday or Sunday and your sure to find some flying going on.
View Larger Map
What you’ll find: The Renegades have an interesting cloth runway over hardpack. It’s the same material used under Astro-Turf sports fields. There is some paved pit area, a storage shed. Bring your own shade, power, seating and work surface. The Renegades are very active night flyers.
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.
Location: RAMS is located behind the US Airforce Museum on the Grounds of Wright Patterson Airforce Base in Area B.
Website: http://www.fly-rams.com/
Contact Email: Check Website
Access to the field: Combination lock
GPS Geeks: +39° 46′ 22.34″, -84° 5′ 49.64″ ( 9.772873, -84.097123
)
Address: See club provided map below and on website.
AMA Club Charter: #2434 Formed: 1969 History: RAMS History
Club Dues: $5 Average Membership: 60 Memebership Limit?: No
Flying Hours: Because this flying field is inside controlled airspace (Wright Field) , flying is generally limited to after 5:PM to sunset weekdays and generally 12:nooon to sunset on weekends. There are some other restrictions and special dates the field is closed, be sure to check the Park Rules on the RAMS website for the official information.
Membership Information: The club is open to all AMA Members who are Military, Retired Military or base contractors. Civil servents and retired civil servents also qualify. Essentially anybody who has or can qualify for a base pass.
Guest Flying: Club Secretary (2012) Keith Numbers informed me pilots in with a base pass who are here for a short stay (AFIT students for example) are welcome at the facility as a guest. He said to please contact the club for information and proper procedures & etc… Notes from Dave (writer of Radical RC Workbench Blog): Of course, all clubs appreciate being appreciated with funding, so if your going to be around a while, join up and do your part.
What you’ll find: The RAMS have a paved runway. There are no shelters, power or picnic tables, so be sure to bring any needed chairs, power or shade with you. The flying area is nice and open without obsticals. It is the choice place to test out extra large or fast models such as turbins. If you’ve ever been to the DOGS airshow, the RAMS field is at the far right end of the DOGS flying area on the crossing taxiway.
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.
by Bob Taylor
Three men were involved in the invention and development of the first powered airplane-that’s right three. Everyone knows about the Wright brothers, but that third man was Charles E. “Charlie” Taylor, a quiet genius who loved cigars and the sound of machinery. Although he contributed to one of man’s greatest achievements, “Powered Flight,” his name was almost lost in aviation history–until now–and if it hadn’t been for Charlie that first powered airplane would never have gotten off the ground……
A worthwhile read, the history behind history. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. To read the full story on AvStop Magazine: The Man Aviation History Almost Forgot
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.