Off of Route 98, just past Citrus Way there is a patch of land that a dozen or so men and women gather around to cook hotdogs and hamburgers, talk about memories- all while looking up into the sky.
Some retired seniors and those that are winter vacationers to the Hernando County area, may take up golf, bowling or even shuffle board, but for these folks the white clouds, beautiful blue skies and the sound of a propeller is what gets them cranking in the mornings. Hernando Aero Modelers has around ninety members and have been meeting on that field for the past seven years. They never get tired of looking up at the sky and hearing the sounds of every model airplane soaring by.
“Some guys do it every day… They come out at 7 in the morning and then go get their Honey-do-list at 11am,” Bill Panzeter, President of the Hernando Aero Modelers said. For these men and women, this hobby is more than just about planes, it’s about the socialization. Sitting around, talking and enjoying life.
On June 20, 2015 The R/C Flying Club hosted a H.A.M. Fly-In event which consisted of four model airplane performances; free flying, combat, flight time and limbo. Free-flying is flying the airplane around and about the length of the field as well as up and down and performing aerobatics such as loops, barrel rolls to stall turn “hammerheads.” In combat, foam airplanes with a streamer tail are used. The object of combat is to cut the streamer off the other planes. Flight time is when the plane goes up for twenty-five seconds and the engine is shut off. The best “air time,” the more points. Limbo is when the plane has to fly under the pole at different heights.
There are different types of model airplanes, from Gliders to Scale R/C planes. Some can actually be up to twenty-two feet and weigh up to 265 pounds! Planes can cost from $4.00 to build, to a couple thousand dollars as a kit. These planes are operated by a hand control transmitter system and the motors to fly these model planes are either battery operated, electric, nitro powered or even a chainsaw motor.
There are also different styles of model planes. Some are built by simple foam board while others are detailed jetliners. Of course you can’t forget the famous Red Baron planes.
Jeremy Carpenter a Hernando Aero Modeler member talks about having a kids program “I am interested in younger kids being involved,” he said. The idea of offering a type of program or workshop for kids to learn how to build an aero model plane has been bouncing around with the members for a while. “This kind of stuff is great for kids,” Carpenter said.
As for the spectators, it’s the enjoyment of being around a great group of people and talking about life and model airplanes. Bill, a new Floridian to Hernando County explained… “I like watching, it’s a way to get out and get some fresh air.”
For more information about the Hernando Aero Modelers and upcoming events, visit their website at http://www.hamrc.com/
