I began in 1967 building Estes rockets in 2nd grade. I built and flew several Guillow's models during those early years. My parents recognized my interest in model airplanes and in 1969 they purchased me my first Cox .049 Control Line, the green P-51. I flew that for several years as I began to learn to build. I built more Carl Goldberg Stunt Man 23's and Swordsman 18's than I can remember.
I've been passionate about radio-controlled aircraft and vehicles for nearly four decades, starting my journey into the hobby at age 13. Now at 52, my enthusiasm for RC has only grown stronger over the years. As a proud member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), I've had the privilege of exploring virtually every corner of this incredible hobby.
I was about to retire and the person I was training to take my place gave me a Corsair RTF airplane as a going away gift. I hadn’t flown a model airplane since I was a teenager, and u-control at that!
I found the Airmasters RC Club by accident one day and stopped in and asked if they could teach me to fly. That was in 2016. After a few years as club secretary, I was voted in as President of the club.
In high school, I built planes to fly Control Line. Years later, I built a radio-controlled electric plane. I flew it once and crashed it.
Now, I build almost-ready-to-fly planes that are powered by four Stroke Saito engines. Also, I have two electric planes to build.
I have my own 15-acre field to fly my planes in.
My dad was born in 1915, and he lived through this early era of aviation and finally through the Space Shuttle era. He built airplane models as a teen, and directed my interest to aviation by gifting me model aircraft while I was growing up. I continue as a member of the AMA and with this great model aviation hobby, in great part as a remembrance of and in honor of my dad.
Flying my helicopters, jets, airplanes, trucks, and cars that I'm able to drive and my boat is my hobby and my passion. I love doing this when I can. I'm able to build, learn new stuff, and I'm able to help out. I can train people at the field and when I do, it feels good to help somebody else new to the sport.
Greetings My fellow Flyers and supporters of our addiction,
With the Grace of GOD, the club has been very giving to me in the membership fee over the last few years in which I have been deeply and gratefully humbled by the opportunity you have allowed me to enjoy with all the Perks it brings.
I have been involved with RC flying since 1986 and have built and flown models from high wing trainers when I first started to ducted fan jets. I enjoy the finishing and scale attributes of aircraft cockpits to clean and precise wiring in fuselages. I hate to see rats nests inside fuselages.
Nowadays, I am flying mostly 42% to 55% aircraft such as Carden 300 pro with 126" wingspan to 55% Christen Eagle. I guess I like large aircraft, as to me they fly much like the real thing.
Chapter 1: Holes in the Silkspan
My earliest memories of model airplanes go back to when I was 6 years old. I can remember warm Saturday afternoons when my Dad would drive me and my younger brother Bob, he was 2 at the time, out to the local Control Line flying site. It was actually part of the Philadelphia Water Works, and it was located next to the Philadelphia Police Academy. So the site was commonly called “The Police Academy.”
I worked at a hobby shop just long enough to try out beginner airplanes.
Years later, we live on 11 acres and now have a grass airstrip. For years now, I have flown many RC aircraft. As my reflexes are slowing down, I'm enjoying the various helicopters which fly like drones.
Hopefully, I can get my wife to try one out when the weather is better! Even though I'm retired, I have less time to enjoy the hobby, as I am the mayor of our small town and a pastor.
It is very relaxing to grab a Huey and do figure-eights over our east pasture!
