WWI Aircraft Fly Over Ellington

While skydivers were busy jumping out of planes and parachuting to Earth at Ellington Airport on Sunday, the Northern Connecticut Radio Control Club was holding a fascinating aircraft event of its own at the nearby Green Road field.

“Dawn Patrol Over Green Road Sector,” which featured 26 WWI model airplanes, began early in the day – at dawn.

“The ideal time to fly is when the wind is calm, which routinely happens at dawn and dusk, hence the term ‘dawn patrol,’” explained Bob Boulais, the contest director and NCRCC secretary and newsletter editor. “In WWI, the airplanes would often go out on patrol early in the a.m. or just before the sunset, so we are playing off that with our event name, since the models are primarily WWI aircraft.”

Although the club has airplanes and helicopters of all shapes and sizes, from indoor models whose weight is measured in grams, to third-scale models, the club accommodates everyone's niche.

"We have scale aircraft from all ages, including jet turbine-powered airplanes as well as sports models, which do not resemble any full-scale models. We can put skis on them to fly off snow, and we put pontoons on them to fly off water,” explained Boulais.

The turnout, however, at Sunday’s event – 26 registered pilots including 6 from NCRCC – was dedicated to WWI aviation and strived for realism. The event was not a competition, but rather a fun, social event.

“The event is called a ‘Fun Fly,’ as it was a non-competitive event. It was general flying and a lot of socializing and watching of other people flying,” said Boulais.

One by one, each plane was led to the take-off area by its pilot throughout the morning, then performed expert maneuvers, some with realistic smoke effects.

Spectators, too, attended the event, marveling at the large size of the quarter- and third-scale models and enjoying food and refreshments provided and grilled by member Len Marchese. Raffles were also held for a large Balsa USA Nieuport 28 kit, as well as a smaller airplane suitable for beginners, an SE5a indoor flyer.

For beginners, or anyone else interested in joining the club, Boulais explained the process.

"Anyone can join, however, we are part of a larger organization called the Academy of Model Aeronautics, who provides our liability insurance, so all members must first join the AMA, and then they can apply to and join our club.”

The club meets on the second Thursday of each month. During summer months, NCRCC members meet at the Green Road field, and during the winter, they meet at the . While the club does not hold instructional workshops, they do offer free, one-on-one flight instruction. Anyone having issues assembling an airplane needs only to bring the aircraft to the field and ask for help. Boulais said there is usually an “outpouring of assistance.”

“We fly just about every day,” noted Boulais. “We have a large contingent of retirees, so they are out just about anytime the weather is conducive to flying. We generally do not fly in the rain or extreme wind.”

For more information about the NCRCC visit http://ncrcc.org/joomla/.