Model Aviation readers across the country are sharing aviation stories, innovative ideas, and fond memories. Join the conversation, read a story, and add your thoughts in the comment section below each article.

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Grandson and Grandfather Flying Team

Chuck Winchester
Machesney Park IL

I am an AMA and IMAA member. Below is a photo of me when I was 10 years old holding my fubar 36 free flight with a spitfire .045 - really my first successful plane after I found out what the little CG symbol meant.

Why To Quickly Retrieve A Crashed Plane

Jeff Jones
Burlington KY


One should never assume a downed plane is not to be recovered quickly.

I witnessed this crash and watched how there was no concern to recover the wreckage until the peanut gallery yelled fire. This crash was caused by flying with a low battery and the fire started due to an electrical short in the owners wiring job incurred by the crash.


Panama Flying Site Help

George Thomsen
Panama Central America

I am moving to the country of Panama to a town near Panama City Panama. Looking for any information on RC clubs or groups that maybe in the area. Altos del Maria or Coranado or west Panama City.





Soloing At Age Four

Patrick Willis
North Western United States

These are pictures of my son, 5-year-old Oliver, who lives in the north west. Oliver was voted "King of the Huckfest" this past August. Oliver was flying his Mini-Funtana X. He first soloed an R/C plane at the age of 4. He is now doing aerobatics and working on his 3D flying. He begs to go to the flying field every weekend and shows no signs of slowing down.

Pictures Tell The Story

Joseph Carlo
Ocala FL

Hello. I am sending my story drawn as picture book. I have had fun with planes originally starting with 10 cents and 25 cents rubber band planes. One day around age 6 or 8 my dad came home with a big box. On the box was a picture of a 6 foot Condor plane! he set up a big table in the second garage and we started to cut out all the parts.

Snakes on a Model Plane

Bob Richardson
Central Arkansas

This happened a few years ago when I went to the Central Arkansas Model Aviators Association (CAMAA) flying field to socialize, get some flying in, and watch the other guys fly. Nobody was there, so I said to myself, it would be a good time to mow the grass and not interfere with anyone's flying. So I mount the riding mower, cranked her up, and headed out to the green pasture.

30 Year Old Graupner Still Flying

by Roger Mullins
Keystone Heights FL

Here is old Graupner kit form 30 plus years ago, given to me by the owner.

The graupner is missing the tail feathers and some other minor parts. I converted the aircraft to electric power and added slotted flaps. The graupner's span is 62 inches and the aircraft weights nearly 7 lbs ready to fly.

Overall this 30 year old graupner flies very realistic and a lot of fun to shoot touch and goes with those big flaps.

Wings For Wishes

by Eric Kendall
Polson MT

Last February, my family was impacted by a dear friend's child, Dylan, who has a liver condition known as BA. He was selected by the Make-A-Wish foundation to have a wish granted.

Big Yellow Bird Goes Up Like A Home Sick Angel

by Lin Cordray and Burt Gunter
Ball Ground GA

John Burton Gunter, Col. USA Retired, more commonly known as"Burt" and Lin Cordray often take to the skies. They are both AMA members who fly together with their club "Georgia Model Aviators" located about an hour north of Atlanta, Georgia.

How to Celebrate Your 92nd Birthday

by Charles Mackey, AMA Fellow and Hall of Fame
Fallbrook, CA

Dottie Johnson’s ninety second birthday was celebrated by having lunch with friends who sang Happy Birthday to her. She blew out the lone candle on her strawberry short cake and shared it with her husband David. Dottie’s vision has been declining for years so you always see David and Dottie together. Dottie’s memory and sense of humor is remarkable and she is the kind of person whom you enjoy being around.

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