I was unaware of model airplanes until I met my husband, Dave. He wasted no time and took me to the flying field which was a huge grass-covered parking lot in front of Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. I was delighted when I saw those beautiful gliders flying, and I decided to join the Pasadena Soaring Society.
It didn't take me too long to learn to fly two channel thermal gliders. Special thanks to Tony Stark for coaching me and providing the electric winch. At that time, I flew the then-popular gliders like "Olympic II", "Mirage", and "Sagitta 900." We also took trips to Torrey Pines which is North of San Diego for slope soaring where I flew my SIG "Ninja."
Unfortunately, the good times of flying gliders ended when we lost our flying field at Rose Bowl to soccer game activities. This was also the end of our club.
After a short break, we visited the flying field of San Gabriel Valley Radio Control League at Whittier Narrows Recreation area in South El Monte, California. Fortunately, there was a Classic Pattern contest at that time, and I knew right away that this is what I want to fly. Then, I met Tony Frackowiak and Robert Fish. Tony represented United States six times on F3A aerobatic world championships which is held every two years. I got unlimited help and coaching in pattern flying from Tony and Robert. My husband designed and scratch built my Classic Pattern models we named "FORTE." We published the glow powered "FORTE" in November 2015 issue of Model Aviation. At AMA Expo West 2019, our electric-powered "FORTE-E" placed second at static competition. We submitted the "FORTE-E" design to Model Aviation for publication.
In addition to flying and competing in Classic Pattern, I joined NSRCA and started to compete in AMA Pattern. I am now a District Seven 2018 and 2019 Sportsman Champion. Hard work and total dedication paid off. Special thanks to Jerry Budd for donating me a two-meter, receiver-ready pattern plane "Integral." Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic ended my contest flying, and after a long break, I did not return to pattern flying.
Since 2020, I compete in Eliminator Warbird Race at Pomona Valley Model Airplane Club field at Chino, California. On February 25, 2024, I took first place in Bronze class flying a glow-powered T-34. This was a challenge since some pilots from Silver and Gold also race in Bronze class. Special thanks to Lonnie Morrison for coaching and calling. Also, special thanks to Ben McBride for his support and donating the T-34.
It has been a fun and exciting journey of this beautiful hobby of flying RC airplanes which I still love and enjoy. Special thanks to AMA for asking me to share my story.
