Be a pilot for a day: Wings R/C offers opportunity to fly

(Sentinel photo by Amy Erickson) Airplanes like these may be used by Wings R/C Club members during an airplane and helicopter demonstration, plus training sessions for new fliers from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday during Ice Cream Days. [Click to enlarge]

Want to learn to fly a radio-controlled model airplane?

Then Wings R/C flying field is the place to be Saturday afternoon during Ice Cream Days.

Experienced pilots will hook up with students for what Wings calls "buddy boxing," said long-time member Bernie De Boer.

In "buddy boxing" the trainee will use a second transmitter when flying radio controlled aircraft and an experienced trainer will control a master transmitter in case anything goes wrong.

"Don't be bashful about asking to fly an airplane because the planes will be perfectly safe with a trainer at the master controller," De Boer said. "Anyone that wants to try it can come up and give it a go."

Prior to pilot training, Wings R/C members will demonstrate how all kinds of different radio-controlled airplanes fly, like the ones used by the club, De Boer said.

A new aspect when it comes to flying model planes is 3-D flying, which uses airplanes that are "grossly overpowered."

One of those will be demonstrated Saturday, De Boer said.

Helicopters, from small electric ones to large gas or modified diesel powered ones, will also be demonstrated, but not used in "buddy boxing," De Boer said.

"Helicopters are difficult to fly. They have to learn to hover. It takes a long time," he said. "It takes practice, practice, practice."

Most of the stunts demonstrated Saturday will be done with some of the 38 members' own planes, which are conventional in style versus more flashy, novelty aircraft.

"It's mostly sport flying -- loops, rolls, upside down," De Boer said.

Most model airplanes fit into four categories from those RTF (ready to fly) that take only one to two hours of assembly to those built from scratch that don't necessarily have plans as to what they will look like, De Boer said.

Whether your interest is in trying out your skills flying a model airplane, checking out its size or watching a helicopter take flight, De Boer said there's something for everyone.

The radio-controlled airplane and helicopter demonstrations will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the "buddy boxing" with the entire event ending at 3 p.m.

It will be held at the Wings R/C flying field at the south end of the Le Mars Airport.

For more on Ice Cream Days see page 14.