Aero Picnic
Joe Beshar
Finally, something for the sport fliers to do and enjoy! Find room in your club's calendar for an Aero Picnic!
In northern New Jersey there are a number of model aero clubs, among them the Old Time Eagles Model Airplane Club and the Riverview RC Flyers. Some members of these clubs had expressed interest in an inter-club get-together so that members could become better acquainted and to encourage camaraderie in the common interest of modeling. I was asked to act as Contest Director and chose to use the Aero Picnic program, a concept I had found to be extremely successful.
Fundamentally, the Aero Picnic is based on estimating a 2-minute touchdown; it matters not what maneuvers are performed or what type of flying is done in between. The goal, simply, is to estimate a 2-minute touchdown without any timing aids. Launch may be by hand or takeoff, and the model may be of any size or type, including electric. This enables everyone—seasoned competitor, novice, or sport flier—to participate without the pressure of conventional competition.
I developed the Aero Picnic concept for the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of Model Airplane News, held in September 1980 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey. It was one of the largest and best-attended events during the 1980 flying season.
The Riverview–Old Time Eagles Aero Picnic was held on August 16, 1981, at Elmwood Park, N.J., the Riverview RC Flyers' field. For the picnic portion of the meet, boiled frankfurters with sauerkraut and soda were served and devoured by all. There were many spectators as well as fliers, and the weather was ideal. During lunchtime Tony Bonetti (who had just won the National Pattern Championships in Texas) put on a precision flight demonstration that was superb.
During the day, Joe Jaster offered any junior or senior who wanted to try flying RC the opportunity to do so using his model and buddy-box system. This was well received, and many spectators took advantage of the opportunity.
The Riverview RC–Old Time Eagles Aero Picnic winners were:
- First place: Bob Allen, Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.
- Second place: Tony Basilotto, Lodi, N.J.
- Third place: Alfredo Austria, Jr., Passaic, N.J.
Trophies were presented to the winners.
An Aero Picnic gathering serves many purposes. It is a way to generate inter-club activity between various club members. It encourages youngsters and newcomers to get more involved. The sport and contest fliers get to work together. It is a way of intermingling modelers from all interest areas with a feeling of fellowship.
I am sure you will realize there is a place for this type of event in every club's calendar, whether the goal be promotion, sociability, or just plain friendliness.
The basic rules:
- All events are based on a 2-minute estimated touchdown, subject to change by the CD (Contest Director). One point is scored for each second airborne. Maximum score: 120 points. Contestant may take off or hand-launch.
- A flight of over 2 minutes is a zero score.
- No timing aids of any kind are allowed, including friends. The contestant must estimate touchdown or be disqualified.
- The contestant may make as many flights as desired.
- Highest single score is the winner. In case of a tie, a second flight will determine the winner.
Try it some time!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
