Biographies

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Ford Rollo Biography

Man holding large model glider on grassy field.

I was about 6 or 7 years old when I started building Strombecker models with my dad, and I moved on to balsa and tissue models as soon as I had some money to buy Gillow's kits. I flew Control Line through high school and pretty much left the hobby until 1961 when I got into RC. My first RC model was a polyhedral Free Flight (a Fubar 36) with a rubber band-driven escapement controlling the rudder with a push button radio. Amazing! We could turn the model! I moved up to Pattern planes actually flying at the same field as Phil Kraft in Southern California. 

Clarence Ragland Biography

I got into the hobby in 1970 and have been hooked ever since. I learned very quickly and a year later began giving flight training. I started teaching using a buddy box, but my students were banging the sticks around, so I reached over and put my thumb and forefinger underneath the student's thumb on top of the aileron/elevator stick. That ended the stick banging and I could easily monitor what his thumb was doing, and I could easily correct him, not allowing him to make any mistakes. My only purpose is to get more people into the hobby/sport.

Michael Thomson Biography

Man wearing sunglasses smiling in front of a parked private jet on a sunny day.

I grew up flying with my dad in a 46 Luscombe. After it was sold, I didn't get back to flying until I was 22 and working for Occidental Engineering. I soon got my private pilot license in '77, and then subsequently quit my engineering job and went to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I earned my Com/inst, MEL, and CFII/SMEI.

James G. Clark Biography

Model plane with bright yellow and green wings on a round table indoors.

I just turned 71 years old today. I have loved airplanes since about 4 years old. I started flying GA planes at 12 and soloed at 16. I started a family in the early 20s, so I had to put airplanes on hold. Airplanes have been a big part of my life. I will never forget my ride in a B-17 "Aluminum Overcast." I started flying RC airplanes full time 2.5 years ago.

Doug Doering Biography

Three people stand around a large model biplane with yellow wings on a table.

I have been flying since I was 7 years old. I started with rubber band-together TD Control Line models and then moved onto larger Flight Streak-type Ukies. I left the hobby for 35 years for a career in commercial photography but came back with the encouragement of an old flying buddy. I am currently engaged in RC Scale, Pattern, and Sport. I teach a class at my local senior center called "Build it Fly it." I still keep building and flying them at age 78, and I have dragged a few others along for the glorious ride.

Rodney Senn Biography

Red and white model airplane on green grass.

I am 67 years old and graduated high school in 1976. I worked as a welder for 20-odd years, transitioned to ASME Code Quality Control, and then was hired by an authorized inspection agency providing code inspection services to non-nuclear and nuclear fabricators and power plant operators. I recently retired after 13 years as the resident ASME Section XI Code inspector at Farley Nuclear Power Plant near Dothan, Alabama.

Ibrahim Yavuz Dal Biography

Man kneeling on grass with a colorful model plane.

İbrahim Yavuz Dal is an academic and air sports expert born in Eskişehir. He has worked for many years as a lecturer at Anadolu University and Eskişehir Technical University, specializing in sports sciences and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Throughout his academic journey, he earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and sports teaching, a master's degree in sports sciences, and a doctorate in sports management and recreation. His research has made significant contributions, particularly in the field of recreational aviation. 

Chris Kaiser Biography

Man adjusting a model jet on a runway under a blue sky.

I have been flying since I was about 5 years old. My dad got me hooked with Control Line, and soon I was flying Pattern events and even winning or at least placing in events. Once I became a teenager, I followed other interests, but I came back to flying about 15 years ago. 

I am a contest director, and I received my turbine waiver going on five years ago. Putting on events and bringing people together, along with helping others, has been my passion. I am a BVM Jets rep, and my family and I enjoy traveling to events and meeting new people.

John Irwin Biography

Man in bright orange motocross gear stands in a kitchen, wearing a cap and white boots.

I'm 60 and have always been fascinated with RC airplanes. Finally, at 57 years old, I joined a club and started flying. Less than a year after learning to fly, I was diagnosed with throat and lung cancer. I haven't flown in a while because of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, but I look forward to getting back into it this coming summer.

Don Cole Biography

Grandfather and grandson with yellow model plane outside.

To me, I have always thought that to live a good life, you should be a part of something bigger than yourself; however, one needs to contribute time, money, energy, or something of value to be that most important part.

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