Biographies

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Richard Russ Biography

Model airplane with red and white wings on a table.

Several members in our club are somewhat surprised that I am still designing, building, and flying at 87. One afternoon, a young man came over to me where I was installing the wing and asked about my plane. I said it is an E-Venger pattern plane I recently designed for a friend that is an AMA Life member, Otto Dieffenbach, that I flew pattern with back in the 70s. He said he was curious to know if it was the type of plane they used to fly in pattern contests years ago. I said it is.

Mark Pokrywka Biography

A man in a suit sits in a control room, surrounded by people at computers.

When I was 14 in 1973, I had become infatuated with flight in all its forms. I decided that I wanted to learn to fly R/C models. I approached my dad (a Civil Engineer) and told him that I wanted to sell my mini-bike and get into R/C. He thought about it and came to the conclusion that it could be educational. Man, was he right!!! I recently retired after 28 years on the Space Shuttle Program (during which I was awarded a Silver Snoopy), and 3.5 on the Orion spacecraft.

Thomas Lipinski Biography

I started flying in 1992 in Connecticut at the age of 15. I have always loved aviation, and that summer in 1991, the local club had put on a display in our local park. I remember seeing a Carl Goldberg ultimate and thinking that was the coolest thing I had ever seen. That winter, I built myself a trainer and started learning to fly. I flew the next couple of years before I went off to college.

Tom Schnatterbeck Biography

Man with cap smiling, holding a model glider airplane outdoors.

Location: Sheridan, Wyoming

Club: Flying Cowboys R/C Club

I built my first RC sailplane with my father as a teenager and was hooked. Fast forward 45-plus years, and I’m back flying again :) I started a “flight club” at the local high school (SHS) with drones, Flite Test kits, and it took off. I am still very much a novice pilot, but I enjoy the friendships that come with flying with other people versus alone.

Paul Gavoille Biography

In 1984, I was working for a cosmetic manufacturer, and I needed to meet with the engineer to discuss plans for a new product line. When I met with him, I noticed he had a set of plans on his desk for a biplane. He said he was building an R/C plane and wanted to increase the plans to quarter-scale. Two weeks later, I had a Great Planes trainer 40 ordered with all the equipment to get started. It took me around five months to complete and arrived at the Flying Hawks club field to start my first flight.

Bob Beatty Biography

Man kneeling next to large yellow model airplane in driveway.

My journey began with a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 4. After undergoing treatment, I found myself unable to work. My son-in-law was determined to get a Tower Hobbies trainer to fly, and since I’ve always had a passion for airplanes, I spent a considerable amount of time with him, trying to figure out the intricacies of it all. The following Christmas, I received a wonderful gift—a Great Planes slowpoke sport 40.

John Hunton Biography

Drone on a tarmac, long wings and sleek body, viewed from above.

Model aviation has been a big, enjoyable part of my life, beginning with control-line and current involvement with drones. This activity has fostered many wonderful friendships. Our local flying field was the Falls Church High School football field. It was there that I met J.E.Albritton, who has competed in international events.

One of our local club activities was Thermic 50 flying. A few of us competed in CL speed and stunt events up and down the east coast.

Henry Cahoon Biography

Three people stand on grass beside large remote-controlled airplanes.

I am a second-generation model aviation enthusiast. From my earliest memories, I had airplanes in my hands. I started flying Control Line planes with .049 engines when I was about six. My dad flew Control Line and Free Flight models. My oldest uncle flew Control Line and Free Flight. My youngest uncle flew Control Line and RC. I started RC flying in 1980. I am one of the instructors in my club. I have trained many people to fly and enjoy RC flying. I am pictured on the left, my late father is in the middle, and my dad's last remaining brother is on the right.

Mike Missak Biography

Father and son assembling a model airplane in the kitchen.

My journey into the world of RC aviation began a few Christmases ago when my son Charlie received his first RC plane. What started as a simple gift quickly turned into a shared passion. Watching his love for aviation take off was inspiring—and a year later, I received my own RC plane for my birthday so we could truly enjoy the hobby together.

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