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Show 5 iTIMES June 7, 2007 eCtiG tafys to the air over HiCC Air Force Base hobby that so many enthusiasts in the club already enjoy. :75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs "For a beginner to get all of the basics would cost about $300-400," said Mr. Barnhart. "Getting started is Hill Air Force Base's runway is usually busy with •launches and recoveries of sophisticated machines flown actually the hardest part. There are five or six people in the club who are willing to help. We'll take you out and by some of the world's best aircraft pilots. show you what to get and how to fly." There's a second, little-known runway on Hill AFB Once a beginner learns the ropes, something as where some of the base's best, and worst, pilots get complex as building an airplane might be undertaken. tdgether to fly missions that have nothing to do with "I have two planes I made myself from plastic down[..defending the nation. spout and sign board," said Sergeant Hibbetts. "It's no Members of the Falcon RC Club can often be found big deal if I crash them as long as the engine doesn't get ying their radio:controlled airplanes in the skies over damaged. They only cost me about $5 to build." e grassy hills on the west side of the base. The facility, The average airplane flown at the airfield here runs jbcated to the east of the 1200-series buildings on Jonquil between 60 and 70 miles per hour. The F-16 Fighting ,ane, sports a new, bigger runway. Club president, Falcons coming and going here fly a lot faster. Although aster Sgt. (retired) Scott Barnhart, said he hopes the no Air Force pilots are current club members, Mr. improvement will attract new members. Barnhart said they are always welcome to show some of "Last week, we finished the addition that made the their skills with the model planes. runway 450 by 50 (feet)," said Mr. Barnhart. "That allows faster and heavier airplanes to land easier." "I've had two or three pilots on buddy boxes (radiocontrolled training device) Mr. Barnhart said RC airplanes typically don't have before," said Mr. Barnhart. brakes, so they have to roll to a stop. Even experienced "They did great while flying pilots need a runway long enough to keep their planes the plane away, but flying from rolling off the end of the strip and getting damtoward themselves got diffiaged. cult. They still picked it up real The runway renovation was made possible by a gift of easy." asphalt to the Falcon RC Club from Granite Construction, according to Mr. Barnhart. Mr. Barnhart recommends flight simulator software for "It's been a goal to have a longer runway for a long those looking to hone their time," said Master Sgt. Michael Hibbetts, 388th Equipskills. He said one particular ment Maintenance Squadron and RC Club treasurer. program simulates RC flying, "Hopefully people with bigger planes won't be scared to and even professional fliers use use the runway now." it to try new maneuvers without In addition to attracting people with bigger airplanes, K damaging their planes. Mr. Barnhart said beginners are welcome to take up the STORY AND PHOTOS BY TECH. SGT. JASON SMITH People who want to check out the club before joining have three big opportunities to do so during the year. Mr. Barnhart said in February the club holds an RC swap meet in Ogden, Utah. In May the club hosts static displays at the Base Exchange coupled with a fun fly, a chance to try a plane for free, at the airfield. In the fall the club holds another fun fly event. In addition to events held to attract new members, the club holds some events for current members to take the hobby to a higher level. "We usually have an egg bomb drop for our members," said Mr. Barnhart. "People fly their planes with a cup rubber banded to the top .and an egg inside. They try to turn their planes over and drop the egg on a target." The club currently has about 30 members. They've just completed an area adjacent to the airfield where RC cars and trucks can run. Membership dues are $25 per year, and members must agree to donate 10 hours to help the club in some way. For more information contact Sergeant Hibbetts via e-mail at michael.hibbetts@hill.af.mil. (Top right) Staff Sgt. Chris Hoyles, 388th Maintenace Group and Falcon RC Club events coordinator, brings one of his many airplanes in for a perfect landing. According to Master Sgt. (retired) Scott Barnhart, Falcon RC Club president, a beginner can start flying with an initial investment of $300-400 for an airplane. Mr. Barnhart said many members of the club are willing to help interested beginners. (Left) Master Sgt. Michael Hibbetts, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and RC Club treasurer, works with his son, Nathan, 8, to prepare one of his planes for flight. (Bottom center) Gary Owens, 520th Software Maintenance Squadron and Falcon RC Club safety officer flies one of his airplanes as Tech. Sgt. (retired) Guy Hurst looks on. The larger runway at the Falcon RC Club's airfield now measures 450 feet long by 50 feet wide. (Bottom right) Sergeant Hoyles (left) gives some pointers to Ronald Kolodziejczyk. The Falcon RC Club's Web site can be found at http:// falconrc.homestead.com/. (Right center) Sergeant Hoyles works the controls while flying one of his radio-controlled airplanes. The controllers used to fly sophisticated radio-controlled airplanes can seem complex for beginning pilots. (Above) The Falcon RC Club recently completed work on a dirt track where members can drive their radio-controlled cars and trucks. O o o o o ~J^J O o |
