AMA National Fun Fly
The notion that modelers can — and should — get together for the sheer joy of flying airplanes in one another's company is probably as old as modeling itself. In recent years that notion has become more formalized: scarcity of available flying sites has given rise to organized gatherings of modelers at specific local and regional locations — the fun fly.
Using the popularity of local and regional fun flies as a springboard, AMA hosted the first nationally organized fun fly in Reno, NV. Following that beginning, the 1989 National Fun Fly was held at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH — the "cradle of aviation" and home of Wilbur and Orville Wright. The event was intended to be inclusive of any type of model aircraft participants wanted to bring and share.
Event overview
The low-pressure, camaraderie-focused concept of the fun fly has proliferated nationwide. Events are scheduled for virtually every type of model aircraft:
- Giant scale
- Floatplanes
- Helicopters
- Old-timers
- Soaring ships
- Ducted-fan models
- Control-line aircraft
- Free flight
At Wright-Patterson, RC, Control Line, and Free Flight were all happening at once; the main flying site had the pizzazz of a three-ring circus. Maestro Bob Underwood choreographed the flight line both days, keeping things moving briskly — over 300 flights were recorded. As many as six RC airplanes were in the air at one time, while Control Line circles and Free Flight launches occurred nearby.
Despite chilly, blustery weather on Saturday (temperatures plunged to the mid-50s), participants and spectators pressed on. An amusing PA-system moment came when Contest Director Vince Mankowski repeatedly called out the author’s summer attire before he acquired warmer clothing the next day. There was only one accident — a mid-air that destroyed both aircraft involved — and it was attributed to depth-perception error rather than procedural failure. AMA staff and volunteers are to be commended for giving everyone a chance to fly while maintaining safety.
Wright-Patterson and the USAF Museum
A big attraction for attendees was the United States Air Force Museum on the Wright-Patterson grounds. The museum and its restoration facility display hundreds of historically important aircraft chronologically, along with era memorabilia and video presentations. Highlights range from early aircraft like the 1909 Wright Military Flyer and the 1911 Curtiss Model D through WW I, WW II, the Korean War, the Vietnam conflict, and culminating with early space missions including the Apollo 11 command module.
Outside exhibits include aircraft, rockets, cruise missiles, and engines; a small memorial park south of the main entrance honors the people who flew these machines. The museum’s bookstore and gift shop, occupying much of the entrance foyer, are treasures for aviation fans.
Flying activities and notable aircraft
Participants were primarily from the region — Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, and Ohio — though others came from farther away. The gathering produced a wide diversity of aircraft and flying styles:
- Demonstrations of new kits: Air Flair displayed three attractive 60-size sport ships (Sundancer, Impulse Plus, Express). Sig designer Bruce Tharpe brought a Four Star 40 and a 2½-scale Spacewalker.
- Custom and novelty models: Frank Donisi’s Mystere 3000 canard (with dummy jet nacelles made from soda cans), Brian Clayton’s olive-drab Robin Hood, and Dennis Kirby’s John Deere–themed Senior Telemaster (matching cap and shirt) were crowd-pleasing.
- Innovators and oddities: Bill Ehern flew a foam flatiron, a Formula 1 race car, a lawn mower, and a twin-rotor gyrocopter. Glenn Stucker flew a large “flying fish” named Jaws, and one modeler brought Snoopy’s Doghouse for show-and-tell.
- Original designs and precision flying: Joe Reinhardt of Columbus turned heads with an impressive Cycle VI Control Line stunter; Don Parrel flew a realistic, .049-powered Nieuport biplane; many pilots displayed a high level of flying skill despite the audience of two to three hundred spectators.
All fliers deserve credit for skill and sportsmanship in a noncompetitive, fun-fly environment.
Soaring and youth participation
The Soaring activities took place at Twin Towers Park, home of the Dayton Area Thermal Soarers (DARTS). From a shaded picnic pavilion, pilots flew in a field that opened to the north. A highlight was a youth group from the Prayer and Praise Fellowship Church of Pottstown, OH: five to six youngsters (ages roughly five to 12) enthusiastically tossing and retrieving hand-launch gliders. Bill Connell organized the group and provided materials, assisted by Cindy Minnich. Their enthusiasm for flying, despite cold winds, was a delight to witness.
Old-Timers and Hobby Hangar (Donnelsville)
The Old-Timer flying site was centered at Bob Laybourne’s Hobby Hangar in Donnelsville. Approaching down gravel roads and past a small white church, the field and hangar evoke the feel of an old aerodrome. The Society of Antique Modelers (SMAC) chapter based there treated vintage and antique aircraft with reverent care; pilots performed calm, practiced field repairs and flew graceful vintage ships.
Jack Beatley insisted the author fly his O.S. .40–powered black-and-yellow Lanzo Bomber, a responsive and joyful airplane in the air. Bob Laybourne’s Hobby Hangar is stocked with Old-Timer kits, RC, Control Line, Free Flight supplies, and many extras — a valuable resource for modelers within a 100-mile radius.
Reflections
The 1989 National Fun Fly compressed a great deal into a single weekend: hundreds of flights, museum visits, side trips to Twin Towers and the Hobby Hangar, and plenty of good company. Modelers remain a kindred group whose shared spirit of flight and fellowship is the essence of events like this — to fly and to have fun. Even as attendees departed, they felt connected to those who remained on the ground, already anticipating next year’s gathering.
Fun Fly Registrants
- Kenneth N. Allen, Dayton, OH.
- Don Apel, Columbus, OH.
- Dannie E. Ball, Dallas, TX.
- Ronald A. Ballard, Decatur, IN.
- Joseph H. Ballou, Elizabeth, IN.
- Greg Bartling, New Martinsville, WV.
- Joseph E. Begany, Fairview Park, OH.
- Robert Belton, Dayton, OH.
- Mack O. Blackburn, Indianapolis, IN.
- Jack D. Boesken, Mt. Vernon, OH.
- Brian F. Bohne, Cleveland, OH.
- Jeffrey A. Bohne, Cleveland, OH.
- Ralph W. Braun, Winamac, IN.
- David G. Brown, Hamilton, OH.
- William C. Buckman, Dayton, OH.
- Harry L. Burcham, Van Wert, OH.
- Randy L. Charles, Wilmington, OH.
- Cecil Clark, Grand Haven, MI.
- John E. Clevenger, Carlisle, OH.
- Eric Clutton, Tullahoma, TN.
- James W. Correll, New Albany, IN.
- Mark J. Cotter, Dearborn, MI.
- Mike Couts, Marion, OH.
- Lawrence M. Cross, Blacksburg, VA.
- Dewey D. Davenport, Jamestown, OH.
- Philip C. Davis, Van Wert, OH.
- Michael T. Dean, Dayton, OH.
- Raymond L. Dills, Louisville, KY.
- Frank A. Donisi, Franklin, OH.
- Terry Duke, Fairborn, OH.
- David L. Durrell, Beaver Creek, OH.
- Stanley Duszek, Elma, NY.
- Charles S. Fist, Sardinia, OH.
- David L. Fogle, Dayton, OH.
- Frank D. Fullerton, Moundsville, WV.
- Kit Gerhart, Kokomo, IN.
- Larry P. Giles, Wooster, OH.
- David C. Gingrich, Fishers, IN.
- Robert V. Godfrey, Bradenton, FL.
- Charles Gray, Terre Haute, IN.
- Michael D. Hair, Sterling Heights, MI.
- James A. Harris, Marion, OH.
- George B. Herider, Conover, OH.
- Wayne N. Jeffries, Buffalo, NY.
- Albert L. Jones, Fairfax, VA.
- Jonathan Jordan, Baltimore, MD.
- Barry S. Katz, Blacksburg, VA.
- Dennis G. Kirby, Lebanon, OH.
- August W. Kleinhans, Evansville, IN.
- Mark D. Klingler, Jamestown, OH.
- Harry G. Koubout, Vineland, NJ.
- Craig A. Kulesa, Bellbrook, OH.
- Robert C. Kuns, Huber Heights, OH.
- John R. Lane, Northville, MI.
- James L. Layne, Glasgow, KY.
- Gale L. Leach, Bellbrook, OH.
- Harold C. Leifelt, Racine, WV.
- W. L. Luhn, Dayton, OH.
- Don T. Lowe, Altamonte Springs, FL.
- William J. Marsh, Frankfort, KY.
- James A. Martin, Vandalia, OH.
- Henry Mausolf, Fredericksburg, VA.
- Philip C. Metz, Marion, OH.
- William H. Millar, Petoskey, MI.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
