The On Top of the World RC Flyers 16^th Annual Spring Fly In, on April 6^th, was a terrific gathering. Twenty-five percent of our 32-participant pilots were from visiting clubs, including pilots from Punta Gorda and North Port. The quality of the models and flying was just super. As President Don Wright emailed the team… “A smooth and fuss free event. Truly, thanks to all that continue to put in the extra effort these events require – field conditions, chairs, parking, food, ice, chopped onions, cookies, announcements, cooks, air bosses, CD, and countless other tasks that are done in the background like the placement of flyers; what a great turnout of spectators, possibly our biggest.” 

Cars, carts, and spectators were truly everywhere. At times it seemed like standing room only. While we pilots love to fly and talk about what we do, flying and putting on a big show for a large crowd is very gratifying.  This year, the Big Show during the lunch break was a World War II fighter ‘gaggle’ or mass fly event.  This event included eight large scale fighter planes, including a twin-engine B-26. So, with nine large engines running and flying overhead all together, the crowd got a great visual and thundering treat. Thank you On Top of the World residents! The accompanying picture illustrates the size and detail of several of the fighters that flew during the gaggle. Are you able to identify the P-47 ‘Jug’, the F4U Corsair, how about a Stuka, or Zero? Look hard to find a P-51 Mustang’s tail.  

Club member James Paolo prepared a video recap of this event. Go to the club website, http://otowrcflyers.com, for a look at some of the behind the scene preparations and flight operations. The drone views provide quite a perspective of the parking and crowd that enjoyed the beautiful weather, resident camaraderie, and flying. This website will answer 99% of questions a new resident wishing to join the club may have and includes means to make contact.

Another great way to get answers or become involved with the club is to visit the field, introduce yourself, and just ask one of the members. Visitors are welcome to the monthly business meetings held in the Hobby Building Event Room on the first Monday of each month beginning at 9:00 am.

The RC Flyers club membership holds steady close to 200.  Even so, our instructors stay busy with new pilots training to solo and new resident experienced pilots demonstrating their skills and knowledge of the field rules; both necessary to fly at this amenity. 

The next Club event that we will host is the Fall Fly In. There will be announcements as summer wanes.  More local action resumes on April 20 in Dunnellon. Google the Tri-County RC Club located in Rainbow RC Park, for directions and additional information.

In signing off, bring your coffee most calm mornings and watch the flying. Later in the day bring some iced tea and watch the larger models fly.