“It was really cool to be able to fly the remote control airplanes. I was able to turn the plane right and left and even up and down. Thanks for lunch too. When can we do it again?” —Devin, Wolf Cub, Age 7

“It was really cool to be able to fly these model airplanes. I can’t wait to do it again. They even fed us lunch; I’ll come back for sure.” —Shane, Weblos II, age 11

“I was amazed at how high and far the planes were able to fly. It was really cool to fly them.” —Matthew, Tiger Cub, age 6

One sunny day in late September, Assistant Cub Master Andy Rich showed up at our club’s flying field in Florida in his Scout uniform. He talked to our chief flight instructor, Jim McClellan, about the possibility of his Pack coming to the field and observing the flying activities. “It was like asking me if I would like a free trip to the Nationals,” said Jim.

Jim knew that the Flagler County Radio Aero Modelers (RAMS) club officers would say yes, and he did so on the spot. When the president, Bob Thierwechter, was approached with the proposal, he said that it would be great. Then he suggested that we RAMS members attend a Cub Scout Pack meeting and present ourselves and some model airplanes.

Several club members went to one of the meetings. They had a static display of some large airplanes, and Jim flew his miniature helicopter. The young Scouts were elated at the prospect of going to the field to watch. When they were told they would also get a chance to fly, they were excited for a date to be set.

Our club’s October 2009 meeting was terminated at 9:10 a.m. so we could prepare to host the local Cub Scouts, Pack 411, for some flying. It was an unusually chilly day, with winds of approximately 10 mph.

Jim McClellan readied the four new Spektrum transmitters and receivers in the trainers. A RAMS member, George James, donated two airplanes to the club for this event. We checked out buddy boxes and readied models for the day’s activities.

At close to 9:30, Cub Master Don Delle Donne and Assistant Cub Master Andrew Rich arrived with 13 Cub Scouts who were raring to go. Most of the boys’ parents were there too, so we had a nice crowd. Jim gathered the Scouts and described to them what was going to happen throughout the day. He had the students’ full attention, since they were eager to get their hands on the transmitters and try RC.

There were two teams of instructors, one of which consisted of Bob Thierwechter and Flight Instructor Bill Semenovick. Team Two was headed by Jim McClellan, Flight Instructor Connie Johnson, and Leon Kuzik. These teams did a great job with the kids.

Each Scout learned what the sticks did on the transmitter and for his flights; he was told to only concentrate on the right stick, which would provide aileron control for left and right  turns and up and down movement for the model’s elevation.

Each Scout was told that if the airplane got into trouble, the pilot with the master transmitter would take control of it to get it into an attitude that would allow the student to take control again. There were many such takeovers.

Most of the boys did a great job of flying the aircraft and had a blast. It was great to see those faces that expressed the feeling of “I can do this.”

During the slack times of getting the next would-be pilot ready to fly, Dmitiry Tesler, Dixon Garner, and Richard Bauman, all of whom are club members, put on flight demonstrations. Sometimes it was hard to keep the Scouts’ attention during the flight preparation; the flying exhibitions dazzled them. Dmitiry put on an amazing show for the kids.

Upon completion of flying, Ken Gordon, the club’s secretary—and chief chef—cooked hot dogs for everyone, and there was plenty to eat.

Cub Master Don Delle Donne wrote a letter of thanks to the RAMS, in which he claimed that “ … some of the parents were just as excited” about the day of flying. He also included feedback from the Scouts; some of the comments follow.

MA
—Dick Daniels, RAMS Member
District V