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Lake Gaston Gazette article on 95th Squadron Fly-in June 3, 2006
- front page, June 7 edition
95th Squadron Fly-in successful despite rain
BY DOUG HUGHES
Editor
Despite periods of heavy rain on Saturday, radio-controlled model
airplane pilots drove from as far away as the Raleigh-Durham area to
participate in a 95th Squadron sponsored Fly-in in Gaston, N.C.
Pilots were prepared for the periods of rain that blew through Gaston
during most of the morning, erecting canopies over the flight line,
and sneaking flights in between the downpours.
A fly-in is not a contest, but rather it is an opportunity for enthusiasts
to gather, show off the wide variety of models they have, tell stories,
and of course, fly. And fly they did. Most of the rain had stopped by
around noon, just in time to grab a couple hot dogs before taking to
the air.
Most of the 25 pilots who registered to fly brought multiple models,
and nearly all got several in the air during the course of the day.
Folks who dropped by to watch the action stood in amazement at the variety
of rolls, spins and other maneuvers these guys made with relative ease.
An uncommon sight at the field is model helicopters, and Raleigh-Durham
RC Club pilot Michael Hollowell skillfully demonstrated that helicopters
can fly inverted as well as any winged bird, at least when the sticks
were in his hands.
Robert Vess, also of the Raleigh Club, thrilled the audience with a
100-mph plus delta wing plane that could do snap rolls so fast that
no one could count them. Most of the other pilots present admitted that
they did not have the hand-eye coordination necessary to fly such a
model, but all appreciated Vess' skill.
For more information about the 95th Squadron, contact the club secretary,
John Underwood, (252) 586-4702, or stop by the Foley Hobby Shop, 115
West 9th St., in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
The Squadron meets the second Thursday of each month at the Hobby Shop,
beginning at 7 p.m. All are welcome to come and learn more about the
club and the model airplane hobby.
Michael Hollowell of Youngsville, N.C., treated
pilots and guests to some expert radio-controlled model helicoptor flying
at the 95th Squadron's field in Gaston, N.C., Saturday.
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