Dare County Radio Control Flyers

With low winds, unlimited visibility, and temperatures in the mid-70s, twelve members and one guest met at the field for the club's Rocket Madness contest, lunch, and normal flight operations.

The Rocket Madness contest involved the design and flying of a FlightTest glider that was to be launched to altitude using a solid-propellant rocket booster. Four members—Jim Davis, Stephen Yanacek, Jim Shiels, and Peter Fynn competed in this event and thrilled everyone with the launch and flights of their entries.

Disappointingly, three of the rocket-boosted gliders looped off the launch pad and crashed into the ground without gaining any significant altitude. However, Peter Fynn had engineered his glider by sweeping back the wing into a delta configuration. This proved to be a highly-effective solution that flew very well and ultimately resulted in Peter being named the winner of both $75 prizes. Peter, in his typically humble manner, refused to accept the prize money, and donated it back to the club to use toward future similar events.

In addition to the rocket flights of the four contestants, Charlie Doss launched and flew a rocket-boosted glider he built from an Estes kit. Flying it twice, its performance was awesome and enjoyed by everyone.

Following the rocket flights, all attendees were treated to lunch consisting of hot dogs, chips, and beverages provided by the club.

The remainder of the day involved more typical flight operations with our airplanes and many sorties were flown, including some by our youngest member, Jonathan Alexander. Jonathan, along with his mother, Georgia, were visiting the Outer Banks from their home in Durham, and everyone enjoyed seeing them both and flying with Jonathan once again.

Due to foggy conditions for the sixth straight day, Mike Alexander, Robert Yanacek, Stephen Yanacek and Jim Davis met for breakfast and model flying conversation at the Jolly Roger Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills.

Grant Dick, Mike Kirkpatrick, Mike Alexander, Robert Yanacek, Peter Fynn, Stephen Yanacek, Charlie Doss, and Jim Davis began today's activities by meeting at the Jolly Roger Restaurant for breakfast and discussion about model aviation.

Following breakfast, Robert, Peter, Stephen, Jim, and Mike Alexander headed to the flying field where they met Jim Shiels to begin testing of rocket boosters that will be used to launch gliders for the upcoming Rocket Madness event in June.

Although the wind gusts proved challenging, about ten test flights were conducted with pretty good results. Unfortunately, one rocket was lost when its parachute deployed and the descending rocket was blown far out of the recovery area.

Eight of our club members hosted a guest from Southbury, Connecticut at our field under beautiful flying conditions and pleasant temperatures in the low 70s. Cliff Becker, a member of the Fairfield League of Yankee Radio Controllers was visiting the Outer Banks and joined us at the field to fly his Messerschmidt ME-262 Schwalbe twin EDF-powered jet.

Cliff, a highly experienced radio control pilot, flew his aircraft only once, but he stayed at the field the remainder of the day to chat with and enjoy the flying activities of our members who attended.

Everyone had a good time enjoying a great day of flying, and we hope that Cliff will join us to fly when he visits the Outer Banks in the future.

Club president Jim Davis hosted a meeting at his home to discuss designing viable solutions for members who will be participating in the club's Rocket Madness event in June. The event challenges members to launch a small radio-controlled glider into the air with a solid-rocket booster. The winner of the event will be the participant whose glider can remain airborne the longest.

The eight members who attended this meeting had a good time discussing these issues and sharing possible solutions to meet the challenge with their fellow members. In addition, attendees were also treated to cookies that were made and provided by our hostess, Sharon Davis.