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RC planes fly from Bass Lake
Published 06:00 a.m., May 31, 2009
Model airplane enthusiasts from across the county met in Underwood Saturday for the Fergus Falls Regional R/C Flyers’ annual Float Fly.
About a dozen people gathered at Bass Lake to taxi their planes off of the water and into sunny skies. It’s a tradition that gives participants a chance to tune up their aircraft, enjoy the outdoors and catch up with fellow flyers.
Jerry Johnson of Fergus Falls has worked with radio controlled planes for 22 years. His current model is the Piper J-3 Cub, used by the military for surveillance in World War II.
“It’s also the type that I had my first ride in,” Johnson said.
Johnson and other flyers must complete a pre-flight inspection to ensure an airplane is sound mechanically. After finishing the assembly, fueling up and guiding the aircraft on to the water, it’s time for take off. Most people keep their planes in the air for 10 to 12 minutes, Johnson said, though many aircraft can stay up for half an hour.
The Float Fly happens once a year, but members of the Fergus Falls Regional R/C Flyers met regularly over the summer to fly at their site off of Oak Street Fergus Falls. They also host an annual Fun Fly in the fall.
“Usually the guys in it have a real fascination for aviation,” said Tom Kalvik of Fergus Falls, the group’s secretary. “There’s so many different forms of the hobby — guys that like to build, guys that like to fly, guys that like to collect.”
Flyers’ president Mike Drouillard took an interest in the hobby not long after purchasing a PT-40 for his 12-year-old son in the mid-80s.
“He got his in December and I got mine for Christmas that same year,” Drouillard said.
A highlight of Saturday’s event was the flight of a Piper J-3 Cub boasting an 18-foot wingspan and weighing about 90 pounds with floats. Owner Joe Honrud of Dent had help from fellow flyers as he started the engine and eased the plane on to the water. He circled the aircraft overhead for several minutes, sending it upside down and around in loops before bringing it back to the water.
Flyers were tentatively scheduled to meet again Sunday depending on the weather. More information about the Fergus Falls Regional R/C Flyers is available by visiting the group’s Web site at http://web.prtel.com/jljflys.
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