Everyone who came to fly today was met with a field that looked like it had been abandoned. None of us had ever seen the stem grass grow that fast this time of year, particularly since the field had been mowed right at the end of September.

Nonetheless, folks did fly. Harold is still sneaking up on his new “F-18” trying to get it to perform to his standards. After learning just how his new Phoenix Models “P-47’’ gasser wanted to be handled on taxi and take-off, Leonard put in a nice maiden flight on the plane that drew applause with a near-perfect landing at its conclusion. Bob’s re-claimed Kyosho “Spitfire” showed everyone just how a Warbird (or even a pattern ship) should fly. Steve J. and Tom put up their usual solid flights with their respective “Ugly Stick” and “Commander”, and Harold felt a compulsion to chase a flight of egrets with his “Cessna 150”. Sorry, I couldn’t get the Cessna and the egrets in the same frame!

— Larry

Great weather with very little wind saw an (almost) all-electric fleet of LAFF’s planes this morning at Elkins Field. Several new planes were in evidence, including my new “MayBee” flat-foamie scheduled for the pages of Park Pilot magazine (Spring 2020, I’m guessing), with the maiden flight in the hands of Harold Anderson. Kris Frost brought two planes we hadn’t seen before—one of them a “SlowPoke” from Hobby King, and the other one a good-flying Flex Innovations “Extra 300 G2”. Mike Light and Harold treated us to formation flying with their two big Cessnas—and a landing that came close to being a Cessna sandwich, although there was no chance of that, given the skills of Mike and Harold.

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Several LAFFers got out early Saturday morning to see Harold’s new Flex Innovations “Mamba 60” bipe flown for the first time. It is a keeper for sure, and can roll faster than you can count! Here are shots of other planes that got in the air before the heat and wind came up. While the weather pattern seems to be locked in for a while, the solution seems to be get out early and “Get ‘er done!”

— Larry

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Several LAFFers took advantage of what may be the only flyable day in the next week or so by showing up with their usual array of planes. The exception to that was Leonard Baker with his new “Avanti”, and Mike Hervey who had a newly acquired foam “T-28” in a silver livery. Here are a few shots of their successful flights.

As the temperature heads into summer, flying is starting a little earlier each flyable day, so adjust your alarm clocks accordingly if you want to witness the bulk of the activity before any session dissolves into eating peanuts and telling lies in the shade of the shelter!

— Larry

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It was by any measure one of the nicest days we’ve had this spring, and although all flights didn’t go as everyone wanted or expected, here’s a sample of the planes at Elkins Field Saturday. Check the weather report—we need several of these kinds of days to make up for the past month!... Read More

It started off a little chilly, but got better as the morning went on. By noon, there was quite a bit of activity as more than half a dozen LAFFers put up flights. Sunday’s planes of interest were Harold Anderson’s wildly acrobatic “RV-8” and his quick Eflite “Viper”. Here are a few shots of the two. Flying season is getting closer!... Read More

Taking advantage of a break in the ice/snow/wind/ weather Saturday, a good representation of LAFFers eased around the water-filled entrance road and muddy field conditions to enjoy a fine morning of flying with little wind and bright sunshine. Highlights of the morning included Matt Biga’s new Freewing “F-86 Sabre” (my childhood favorite airplane), and Steve Bell’s Dynam “Me-262”, which had patiently waited for its maiden flight for a couple of years. Suffice it to say, the wait was worth it. The plane was eye-catching and impressive in it’s performance in the hands of Matt Biga. (more…)

Believing the weather forecast for yesterday, club members were charged and primed to fly in the morning, only to be met with a “gotcha” from Mother Nature. However, as the day progressed and increasing temperatures were accompanied by less and less wind, there were a lot of flights put up at Elkins Field by more and more people later in the afternoon.

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Although the temperature kept everyone’s hands in their pockets at least part of the time, a good-sized group of LAFFers showed up this morning to fly in a light to moderate cross-wind. Tom Regan, Harold Anderson, and Dan Nicar all brought their latest flying acquisitions. Dan’s was his newly finished “Long John” constructed from a kit from the 90s and powered by an OS engine. (more…)