Wings Across America 2008
 

     A group of model-airplane enthusiasts will fly a battery-powered RC airplane in each of the 48 contiguous states in America. This endeavor is called Wings Across America 2008, or WAA-08, and it kicked off Memorial Day weekend.

     Frank Geisler of Gloucester, Virginia, is a passionate RC pilot who developed this concept while wishing he could take the summer off and travel to different RC fields throughout the US to fly. Frank frequently visits RC forums, and he knew that a cross-country journey would allow him to meet some of the people he chats with online.

     But given job restrictions and the continuously rising gas costs, Frank realized that he could not carry out this venture alone. So he and a group of co-coordinators developed the idea for an RC model to be flown in 48 states by as many pilots as possible at their local fields. The airplane would be passed from pilot to pilot on a list, creating a "chain" of people who theoretically fly the model across the US.

     Frank embraced his RC-forum experience and began hunting for pilots on RCGroups ( www.rcgroups.com ) and Wattflyer ( www.wattflyer.com ), and notices were posted on RCUniverse ( www.rcuniverse.com ) and RC Hangout ( www.rchangout.com ). It didn't take long for more than 260 pilots to sign up.

     Participating WAA-08 pilots provided the equipment for the project. Bill Stevens of Stevens AeroModel donated a SQuiRT 400 trainer/park flyer, and Horizon Hobby contributed the radio system. The batteries and charger were from Common Sense RC, and Big Al's Hobby Supply donated a Li-Poly sack for safe transport.

     A WAA-08 requirement is that the SQuiRT must be hand-delivered from pilot to pilot; it is never to be mailed to its next destination. To make sure all equipment is safely transported in this manner, Steve Griffin of Victor, Idaho, constructed a custom-built travel box.

     If this concept is successful, 2009 and 2010 WAAs may be in order, with an even bigger model and pilots in Canada and Mexico.

     WAA will visit the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana, during its travels across the nation. Check MA throughout the year for an update on the SQuiRT's progress.

     If you would like to be a part of this record-setting event, send an E-mail to Frank at murocflyer5@gmail.com. Although the organizers are currently trying to fill the gaps between pilots, anyone interested can feel free to contact him.  MA

The WAA-08 airplane is a Stevens AeroModel SQuiRT. This
tough 38-inch-span park flyer is easy to fly and should take
the abuse that more than 260 pilots can dish out.



This travel box that Steve Griffin built will help guarantee
that the model travels safely from pilot to pilot.

—Information provided by Frank Geisler
District IV

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