Orcas kids build and fly planes

On Saturday June 28 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the Orcas Radio Control Aircraft Society (ORCAS) will host a “Kid Build and Fly” event on their flying field at the north end of Mt. Baker Road.

A group of island boys and girls who have recently constructed their own model airplanes in a Funhouse project will be flying those airplanes with the help of ORCAS flying club members. Contests to determine the highest, longest, and straightest fliers will be part of the fun. Participating youth will also get to fly one of the club’s radio control models.

The Orcas Radio Control Aircraft Society is a local club affiliated with the national Academy of Model Aeronautics. The Orcas club has about 20 adult and junior members who fly their models most weekends when the weather permits. The club’s flying site on Mt. Baker Road, which was the Burton property when the club began using it in 2000, is currently managed by the San Juan County Land Bank.

The club traditionally hosts a big show at the field during the annual Orcas Fly-In weekend, and hopes to make the “Kid Build and Fly” an annual event as well.

Flying club President Terry Gillespie of Eastsound says that visitors are always welcome at the flying site whenever members are present, and spectators as well as participants and their families are welcome at the “Kid Build and Fly” event.

The club requests that attendees park on the east side of Mt. Baker Road only, and exercise great caution when walking across busy Mt. Baker Road.

Club members involved in this project included Jim Dagnon, Scott Miller, Bob Schwartz, Terry Gillespie, Gene Baney, Al Petruskas, Norm Zimlic (all of whom helped the kids at The Funhouse), Bill Hoyt, Brian Keeffe, John Mount, Pat Needham, Mike Reid, Dave Sarver and Steve Vierthaler. The whole club planned and financed the project.

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