Well guys...I'm happy to report that a crazy idea started by myself and my dear friend Tony Naccarato to gather at least 100 1/2A powered control line planes was...as the kids would say....EPIC!!! It was the most amazing day I've personally experienced in over 40 years dabbling in control line model aviation.

We had 127 1/2A control line models gathered and a perfect flying day. I would like to thank the Valley Circle Burners and the Knights of the Round Circle for coming out to celebrate 1/2A model aviation. Each of you made this happen and I'm forever grateful.

Looking for to the 2nd Annual Gathering.

Best,
...Continue Reading

Photos taken on Sunday, 22 Oct 2017 during the California State Control Line Stunt Championships, held at the Madera Airport. Great event with impressive models and outstanding pilots....Continue Reading

Photos taken on Oct 21, 2017 of the SCAMPS and San Valeers Free Flight Contest.

Always a pleasure spending time with this amazing group of modelers....Continue Reading

Video by Pilot Evelyn:

E-Flite UMX Aero Commander 2nd Flight - Oct. 26, 2017 (4 min 16 sec)

The UMX Aero Commander arrived this afternoon and my daughter and I were pumped! First impression...the dang box is BIG!!

We immediately opened it up with camera in hand and were blown away. I put two flights on it with two 7.4V 850mAh Graphene packs. With mixed throttle I flew for approximately 6 1/2 minutes and had approximately 45% remain...though I was in the power a bunch! One word...AWESOME!!!

The model is having one issue with the elevator servo moving uncommanded/jumping on the ground and in the air about every minute or so. I still flew it and will get with Horizon to see if this can be done to resolve the issue.

Outstanding job by the Horizon Team!

E-Flite UMX Aero Commander Maiden - Oct 26, 2017 (6 min 40 sec)

Photos taken at the 2017 Hi Johnson Memorial Control Line Contest, held Oct 7-8. Always great to spend time with the gang and enjoy the thrill of control line modeling. Good times! ...Continue Reading

Warm and windy today...but that never stops us from having fun! Unfortunately, the video ended early due to a full SD card but there's enough footage to give you guys an idea how the Skyhawk handles the wind and thermals. Evelyn did a great job as always filming. Temp 88 degrees, wind 7 mph gusting to 10 mph, and humidity 51%. Flight was with an Admiral 6S 50C 5000mAh pack.

Love this Skyhawk!

Freewing 80mm A-4 Skyhawk - Playin' in the Wind! (4 min 6 sec)

Here's video of me flying the new Freewing A-4. Temp was 94 degrees, winds approximately 7-9 mph, humidity 60%.

As you will see, the stock PNP power system has no problem moving this jet through these conditions! I'm planning to own two!

Freewing 80mm A-4 E/F Skyhawk - Teaser! (3 min 46 sec)

Here's another fantastic EDF jet coming soon from the awesome team of Freewing and Motion RC. I've been flying this A-4 since May 2017 and it is an awesome example of the famed Douglas Skyhawk. Scale fidelity, excellent stock PNP performance, large battery compartment, robust landing gear and easy to transport are just some of the outstanding features of this incredible EDF jet.

The Freewing 80mm A-4 Skyhawk will be available to preorder very soon from Motion RC, with deliveries expected shortly there after.

For more details, check out the Hobbysquawk thread on this sweet Skyhawk:
https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc...skyhawk-thread

Best,
Tony &...Continue Reading

Evelyn and I spent the morning at the Valley Circle Burners Control Line Contest in Van Nuys, CA. At the event, we met Larry Renger, former Cox Director of Engineering and Quality Control from 1973-78 & 1992-97. Larry designed the Cox ME-109, Super Chipmunk, Texan, Bearcat, Katydid and Scorpion. His engine designs include the Black Widow, QRC, Killer Bee, Tee Dee .05 R/C, .09 R/C and Venom. Larry was inducted in the AMA Hall of Fame in 2010. It was an honor to spend time with Larry and the Valley Circle Burners....Continue Reading

Several weeks ago, Evelyn and I traveled to Montezuma, Iowa to attend the Sig R/C Fly-In. This is an event we've wanted to attend for many years and for me, it was a bucket list visit.

As a young modeler, I dreamed of visiting Sig Manufacturing and meeting Hazel Sig. Honestly, I never thought that dream would come true! Back in April 2017, I read an article that mention Hazel turning 95 years old and decided right then that we were going to Montezuma to meet Hazel as were both not getting any younger. Hazel has been at the top of my list of American icons I just had to meet and personally thank for inspiring my career in the U.S. Air Force. Well, the dream came true and far exceeded any expectations we had. Sig Mfg is a family and we immediately were treated as such during our time in Montezuma.

Model aviation is more than building and flying models, it's truly about the people that you get to meet and share a passion with.....good people! Special thanks to Hazel Sig, Bob Nelson, Herb Rizzo and the entire Sig family for your friendship and hospitality. We are planning to return next year. ...Continue Reading

For those of you who grew up flying Cox glow powered models, and for those who may want to try something different and fun, here's a link below to a thread I started filled with videos to enjoy and inspire:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...8A-1-2A-Videos

Check out the links below to the RCG 1/2A Planes Forum and the Cox Engine Forum for more info about this fun and exciting part of model aviation:
https://www.rcgroups.com/1-2a-planes-182/
https://www.coxengineforum.com/

Best,
Tony
"I love the smell of Cox engines in the morning!"

Another batch of photos from a great event.....Enjoy!...Continue Reading

Last weekend, Evelyn and I spent three days at the Free Flight gathering in Lost Hills, CA.... and it was AMAZING!!!

For many of us in this hobby, we started flying rubberband powered models, then progressed to control line and finally RC. The world of free flight model aviation is a lot bigger than I ever imagined and very exciting. Evelyn and I have made it our personal mission to do what we can to help spread the word about free flight since we truly owe a lot to the pioneers and those who continue to keep free flight modeling alive today. We are so grateful for their contributions to model aviation!

Here's a letter I wrote to our new friends in the free flight community:
First, I would like to say what a thrill it was for my daughter Evelyn and I to spend time with all of you. Thank you for making us feel welcome and a part of the free flight community. Each of you represent the very best of model aviation and inspire us to share your passion for free flight with those who've never experienced or understand the various sides of the hobby. I'm hoping through the power of photography, videos, and personal experiences to bring more attention to your amazing world of free flight. The statement repeated by many of you was, "Our hobby is slowly dying!" Needless to say, I think we all would like to change or at least prolong that reality through our efforts to keep promoting and reaching out to those who may not have been exposed to this part of model...Continue Reading

Here's photos for a new version of my favorite Durafly warbird. The Me-163 is now offered in a brilliant "Red Rocket" scheme, with some nice upgrades including wider wheel base and new prop, just to name a few. Can't wait to get it in the air! ...Continue Reading

Here's photos of the new Freewing 80mm Avanti S sport jet, available to preorder now at Motion RC. This is the best flying foamy EDF jet I've ever had the privilege to fly...period!

https://www.motionrc.com/collections...nt=34755283916

Here's a batch of awesome photos taken by our good friend Mike Gaasch. Thanks Mike!

Here's a bunch of pics from a great event. We met some super nice folks and enjoyed two days of fun in the wind and rain.....the group was focused on fun, regardless. Looking forward to next year's event. ...Continue Reading

Here's an early landing gear durability test video I wasn't planning to post...but thought you guys should see the kind of beating this gear can take during unimproved takeoff and a short field landing tests.

I absolutely love the landing gear and thrilled that Freewing made this A-10 robust for everyone who wants to fly it off a variety of surfaces.

Freewing Twin 80mm A-10 - Hard Landing Test (4 min 21 sec)

Here's a few more videos of the New Freewing Twin 80mm A-10 Thunderbolt II (Prototype) coming early 2017 from Motion RC.

Freewing Twin 80mm A-10 - Prototype Flight Testing (8 min 16 sec)

Freewing Twin 80mm A-10 Prototype - Flight Test (5 min 38 sec)

...Continue Reading