AVIATION FIELD DAY
Aviation Field Day was held the weekend of the WLACC (Western Los Angeles County Council) Jamboree '99, May 22–23. The intent was to give Boy Scouts hands-on aviation experiences: build Delta Darts, fly radio-control (RC) airplanes, and attend a ground school taught by uniformed airline pilots to help complete the Aviation Merit Badge.
The Aviation Merit Badge is one of the toughest to earn — difficult and time-consuming — and few are awarded. Scouts who earn it can hold their heads high. More than 400 merit badges were awarded during the two days in May.
Highlights
- NBC News Chopper 4 attended, piloted by Captain Bob Pettee. Captain Bob, recognizable by his signature handlebar mustache, was wonderful with the children; at one point there were 12 kids inside Chopper 4. A true aviation professional, he conveyed his enthusiasm in a way that energized the youngsters.
- The U.S. Coast Guard Aerospatiale Gazelle flight team performed, an attention-grabbing display likened to a helicopter version of the Blue Angels.
- Representatives from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, CA) brought an impressive display of models, photographs and a space suit. Ken Kock, Aerospace Education Specialist from NASA Dryden, drove from Lancaster/Van Nuys to be there and was warmly appreciated.
- The action was narrated by professional air-show announcer Sam Wright of the Southern California Scale Squadron and California Airshow Team. The noon show mixed scale and full-scale aircraft and featured radio-controlled parachutists, rocket-powered and turbine-powered models, and aerobatic helicopters.
- A humorous moment: the aircraft operated flawlessly until one of the airline instructors tried radio control — and crashed.
Model operations and programs
- The Valley Flyers of Sepulveda Basin, the host club, flew buddy boxes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. The flightline was busy both days, with lines continuing even after the official close.
- The Blacksheep Squadron of California spearheaded the Delta Dart program and is skilled at mass-producing AMA Free Flight models. Sig and Midwest donated 500 Delta Darts for event use.
- Hobby Shack designed and built 12 model airplanes specifically for the event. Airtronics supplied radios, receivers, servos and buddy boxes — 12 radios ready to complete buddy-box pairs — so frequency conflicts were avoided.
- Hobby Shack also supplied Traxxas RC cars and boats. Ralph Jerome of Traxxas traveled from Dallas to support the equipment; the lines never stopped and kids of all ages had a great time.
Possible future events
The day after the event there was exploratory discussion about holding an Aviation Field Day at Oshkosh, WI, through the Sport Aviation Association. Watch for future announcements — an Aviation Field Day could appear in your area.
Contributors
These companies and organizations supported the event:
- Ace Hobby Distributors
- Aerial Dynamics
- Air & Space magazine
- Airtronics
- Air Line Pilots Association
- Academy of Model Aeronautics
- American Airlines
- Black Sheep Squadron
- California Airshow Team
- Embry-Riddle University
- Hobby Shack
- House of Balsa
- Jet Hanger Hobbies
- King Aviation
- Midwest Products
- NASA Dryden
- NBC News Chopper 4
- Pacer Technologies
- RCHTA (Radio Control Hobby Trade Association)
- Radio Control Modeler
- Robert Manufacturing
- San Gabriel Valley Flyers
- Scale Squadron of Southern California
- Stits Lite by F&M Enterprises
- T&A Hobbies
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Valley Flyers
- ZAP!
- Sig/Midwest (donated Delta Darts)
- Traxxas
These companies and groups believed in the idea: build it, and they came.
Closing
Congratulations to the Boy Scouts and heartfelt thanks to the volunteers — it was a tremendous effort. The volunteers had a great time, the kids had a great time, and many more people were introduced to model and full-scale aviation through hands-on experience than ever before.
— Chip Mull 22522 Auburn Dale Dr. El Toro, CA 92630
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
