Aircraft modelers group celebrates 50th anniversary
CLAY TWP – The air was buzzing at the Bruner-Waite Airfield on the Sylvania Conservation Area on July 9. That’s because the Butler Aircraft Modelers Society was celebrating its 50th anniversary with a potluck picnic, and its members were sending a variety of giant scale model planes into flight over its pavilion.
Member Ron Hemphill said the aircraft that were taking to the clear sky over the reclaimed strip mine were all radio-controlled under the direction of pilots on the ground using joysticks to send commands to the planes.
“Radio-controlled aircraft is what the club is all about,” said Hemphill, who’s been a member for 44 years.
Members fly biplanes, Pipers, Cessnas and fighter plane replicas from various conflicts called “warbirds.”
“We have fun flying. Some guys are designers. We’ve seen some exotic things out here over the years,” said Hemphill.
The model aircrafts are powered by gas or electric motors. But not all fliers are welcome.
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