The weatherman proved merciful to model flying Saturday with light to moderate winds from the south-southwest all morning and into the noon hour. LAFFS had a good representation throughout the morning with close to a dozen members and former members putting in appearances to fly or just visit and kibitz. It was evident that it was a “Big Stik” day from the beginning with no less than half a dozen of the red and white beasts (both glow and electric) showing up and flying.

Bob brought a new Kaos 60 ARF for it’s maiden flight, but it disappointed him with its poorly mounted main gear, a common problem with the model. Fortunately, an epoxy fix is all that the plane will require.

Chip’s Miss Leno has yet another life as a mid-wing this time and showed it still remembered how to go ripping down the field after some initial problems with it’s venerable K&B .45 engine. The problems continued, but Chip was not deterred from flying it, bracketed by dicey take-offs and an occasional dead-stick landing.

Mike was pleased with his newly repaired and recovered Venture, now with a 4-stroke up front. It was improved from his original by shortening the wings by a rib-bay on each side, and just floated in for landings.

Paul has his new Extra pretty well sorted out and is showing a good comfort and confidence level with the plane. It replaces an identical ship that he flew for several years before its mysterious decision to quit flying, during a turn to set up a landing approach.

Don Haines got some additional stick time with his Big Stik under the tutelage of Steve Jakubiszyn, while Gene Wallock’s Slow Stick, salvaged from Brent Brennan’s hangar, braved a few gusts in Paul’s hands for a rewarding flight.

Ted Philpott’s Goldberg Tiger 60 has been transformed by the addition of a Saito 4-stroke up front, and Ted showed what a difference it made in his flights.

Both Tom Regan and Corky Fain flew two sizes of Four Stars, and it was neat to see both of them in the air at the same time on a couple of occasions.

In all, it was a great morning in late February for model flying and it was nice to see a good turn-out—just as a new weather front is forecast to enter the picture for the coming week. The attached pictures are representative of the fine day of flying at Elkins Field.

— Larry