In memory of Nick Bucurestean, past club president and good friend, who passed away January 19, 2005. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to his family and friends. You will be missed.

THE TECUMSEH HERALD
August 19, 2004

R/C FLYING CLUB PREPARED FOR ANNUAL
BIG BIRD FLY IN
By Mickey Alvarado
Photo credit: Mickey Alvarado

IT TAKES TWO - Tecumseh resident Nick Schell (above) will have two model airplanes in the air at the same time when he flies his 13 foot, 7 1/2 inch-wingspan German ASK 18 model glider (r) at the Big Bird Fly In next Saturday. He'll use a second seasoned pilot to help get his glider soaring in the sky.

Every little detail has been checked and checked over again as members of the Bits and Pieces radio-controlled model airplane flying club go over preflight plans for the 10th annual "Hunks and Chunks" Big Bird Fly In on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Heritage Park in Adrian.

With planes fine-tuned and the grounds well kept, this year's annual fly in is expected to bring in some of the top Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) certified pilots from the tristate area, with many bringing several of their larger 80" monoplanes or 60" biplanes that are required for participation in the event.

Admission is free for those interested in witnessing the radio-controlled crafts dot the Adrian skies from dawn to dusk. helicopters, towed gliders and many other types of experimental flying craft also will be included in the day's flight plans. Food venders also will be set up on the grounds.

Safety is the number one priority for the organizers of the fly in with the skies and the viewing areas strictly controlled. Each AMA-certified member pilot wishing to fly in the friendly skies must first sign a registration board that notifies all participants of the frequency planned for flight before manipulating the planes through their tricky routines.

FINE TUNING - Jim Barnet (r) scracth built his plane for this year's flight and had Tony Amrhein help with adjustments while preparing for the upcoming fly in.

One of the many reasons the event is so popular is due to the large open fields in the southern section of the park. For those unfamiliar with the area, the Bits and Pieces R/C (radio-controlled) flying club is to the right of the park entrance and south of the soccer fields.

The sky's the limit in the modern-day cost for model airplanes so pilots take great care during their flight routines. Crashes are rare but occasionally do happen. Some newer members will bring $550 start-up kits while more seasoned members will carry craft capable of draining fuels, and the pocketbook, at an astounding $3,000 for a 250 mph jet-engine-sporting plane. At a recent testing, an intermediately priced twin-engine model went down, and with a cost of $8,000 to $9,000 just to get it in the air, every precaution is taken to bring the planes safely home. "We say a prayer every day," said Don Garmon, one of the original club founders. "It's not common but we had a crash out here today (Thursday, Aug. 19). Something happened that the pilot didn't anticipate and he went down."

The Bits and Pieces R/C flying club has a meeting the first Sunday of every month, and the grounds usually are open during the week for pilots to practice. "There will be someone down here just about any time during the day, and spectators are always welcome," Garmon said.

FINAL TOUCHES - Tony Amrhein (l) and Jim Barnett (r) have been making final adjustments on their radio-controlled model airplanes at Heritage Park in Adrian where the R/C Flying club, Bits and Pieces, is located. The two will be pilots in the Saturday, Aug. 21, "Hunks and Chunks" Big Bird Fly In.

At least three Tecumseh residents will be flying models in the event. All three of the R/C pilots are longtime members of the local AMA club and each has a slightly different style. Jim Barnett scratch-built his plane for this year's flight while Tony Amrhein bought his last one as a package deal. "This is the only fuel airplane I have," said Amrhein. "Most of my planes from here on out will be electric."

"I had some balsa wood lying around so I built mine," said Barnett. "I was a real pilot, but I grounded myself because I became diabetic. I love flying so much that I went to radio-control, and it's harder than the real thing."

It takes two pilots for Nick Schell to get his scaled, 13-foot, 7-1/2-inch-wingspan German ASK 18 model glider in the air so he has two crafts going up at the same time. He owns a tow plane just to get his glider off the ground.

New members are always welcome with the club accepting both males and females, and youths to adults. Average dues for joining the Bits and Pieces R/C flying club run $30 a year for membership while the cost to join the AMA, which provides insurance, is about $58 a year. Children under 17 can join the club for free while seniors are given added discounts.

For more information on joining the club or attending the "Hunks and Chunks" Fly In contact Garmon at 436.3610.