family

On October 10, 2015 the Bolivar Sport Flyers held a fundraiser to help the family of Adam Quennoz, club president and founding member. Several surrounding clubs joined the Missouri-based flyers at the event raising a total of $2,500. Sadly, Adam was involved in a motorcycle accident where he sustained a traumatic brain injury. He is currently making progress on a long recovery process at a rehab facility in Atlanta, GA. Adam is a member of the League of Silent Flight. He has competed at NATS for the last several years flying gliders. We wish Adam a speedy recovery and quick return to flight. If interested, fellow flyers can make donations to the Quennoz family’s medical fund to defer the costs of Adam’s recovery.

 Azarr, age 70, was an admired and respected member of the RC community. A lifetime member of the AMA, he took great joy in the sport and was a mentor to many. At age 9, he was introduced to RC modeling by his uncle and was hooked.

The Springfield Model Airplane Club has donated $310.00 to the AMA Foundation in honor of its long-time friend and member. The SMAC wants to help further Azarr’s support of the Foundation’s goals and programs which were of importance to him.

Azarr passed away in his home on August 14, 2015 and will be sorely missed by family, friends and members of the model aviation community.

Cass Engineering Pulsar Biplane comes to National Model Aviation Museum

In the early 1970s there were discussions about the declining interest in Radio Controlled Pattern competition (Model Airplane News Oct. 1973 and Jan 1974). This led Ollie Olson and several clubs in the Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa area to hold the first National Multi-Wing Championships in July 1973. The contest was limited to biplanes and featured Pattern and Pylon events but most notably a free style component. Bill Heger of Peoria, IL won with a Glen Howard designed Knight Twister. At the time discussions also focused on duplicating the maneuvers flown by full-scale aerobatic aircraft using scale-like aircraft. In 1974, this culminated with the formation of the National Sport Pattern Association. In 1975, the name was changed to the Miniature Aerobatic Biplane Association and in 1976, in an effort “to broaden the outlook of the organization and include all types of aerobatic aircraft, the name was changed to the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (Model Airplanes News, Oct 1976). While initially Lou Andrews’ Aeromaster was the primary aircraft flown by many competitors at these events, new designs quickly emerged. One such notable aircraft was the Pulsar, designed and flown by Norm Cassella, a regular competitor and winner of these early biplane events. The Pulsar was sold through Cass Engineering.  As museum staff researched the history of IMAC, the accomplishments of Mr. Cassella and his Pulsar during these early formative years became obvious. It was determined that this aircraft should be added to the museum’s collection, documenting this early biplane component of IMAC’s history. While we have unfortunately lost Mr. Cassella, his family has some of his aircraft including a Pulsar – which they have so kindly offered to the museum. The aircraft arrived at the museum late in October, 2015.

Drone racing

In the last few years, radio control drone racing has gained in popularity because of advances in batteries, electric motors, and first person view (FPV) video equipment. Go to YouTube and you can watch numerous examples of these events. As with anything, at first the races were flown by friends just trying to see who the best was but rules quickly emerged. In April of this year, as part of the DATA X Conference, in Santa Cruz, CA, this bar was raised with the first AMA sanctioned FPV Drone Racing. Scot Refsland, the organizer of the event, is helping the museum document this event and the winner, Zoe Stumbaugh, even agreed to donate her Spider Hex “Rat” racer, along with her transmitter and FPV googles. These items are now on display in the museum. Following closely on the heels of this race, the 1st US National Drone Race  was held in July at the California State Fair. 120 pilots participated in this event, with Chad Nowak from Australia taking top honor. Like Zoe, Chad has agreed to donate his winning aircraft to the museum. [caption id="attachment_2257" align="alignnone" width="1696"] Zoe Stumbaugh's Spider Hex "Rat" Racer, transmitter and FPV goggles[/caption]  

Northern Connecticut RC Club

Located in Enfield, CT, The Northern Connecticut RC Club received a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $1,011.52. The NCRCC formed as an AMA Club in 1962 with 35 members and currently have 176 members. The club is constantly working to improve their flying site to gain the attention of younger aeromodelers. The NCRCC hosts six major AMA sanctioned events each year and donates funds to the Wounded Warrior Project, Wishes on Wheels, and more. The NCRCC’s most recent project is to build a Pavilion. The club wants to build this to ensure the club’s legacy by attracting new, younger members, and ensuring their existing membership. The new Pavilion will provide a weather-protected environment for club members and their family members, and spectators and guests. The total cost of the project submitted for this grant was $10,115.20. Click here to check out the Northern Connecticut RC Club’s website.

The Texas Wings Flying Club has some new starting stands, thanks to the efforts of several hard-working club members!  Great job guys!  If you are in the area this flying season, go by and visit! Two new start stands at the field ready to be used. Thanks again Bob, Lance and Elton!     Established in 1983, Texas Wings Flying Club, AMA Charter Club #1521 for the enjoyment and promotion of the hobby of building and flying Radio Controlled Model Aircraft. Texas Wings offers a relaxed, family-oriented membership. For more information visit https://www.txwings.com/