WILLIAMSTOWN - A well-known act is preparing for another performance at the 2012 Air Show at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport in October.
"The three local model airplane clubs will all participate in this year's air show," said Mark Radcliff, district III vice president for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). "We have participated for many years and will continue as long as there is an air show."
Members of the Vienna Sky Sharks, Blennerhassett Area Radio Control Club and the Flying Wing Nutz Club of St. Marys will fly their radio control aircraft in formations and with aerobatic emphasis.
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Photo by Jolene Craig
Mark Radcliff, district III vice president for the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), stands in front of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport sign with his model airplane. Radcliff, of St. Marys, will use his remote control plane with others from the area during the 2012 Air Show in October.
"We will have about a 30-minute time slot where several acts including model planes and helicopters will perform," said Radcliff of St. Marys.
Along with the radio control aircraft, the groups will bring the new AMA trailer unit with a flight simulator.
"This will be only the first or second air show for the trailer, which has us really excited," Radcliff said.
The radio control flight simulator will give information on radio control airplane models.
"It will be a fun and educational thing free-of-charge to everyone," Radcliff said. "It's not just for the kids, either.
"I'm just a big kid and I'm a grown man," he added with a laugh.
By participating and performing in the air show, the model aircraft clubs hope to grow their membership in the area.
"With three clubs in the area, everyone lives near one," Radcliff said. "We're trying to be very visible to the public by being at the air shows."
Radcliff, a four-time member of the first place-winning United States aerobatic team from 1975 through 1981, has competed in world aerobatic championships in several countries, including Switzerland, South Africa and Mexico. He now flies a 46 percent scale model radio control Ultimate aerobatic plane.
"There are 2,500 (radio) model airplane clubs in the U.S. with all facets of life children, teens, adults as members," Radcliff said. "We want to bring about local awareness to let people know there are other hobbies out there."
Donna Rusche, co-chair of the 2012 Air Show with Mark Ruff, said the 42nd year for the Air Show hopes to let the community know there are many different areas of aviation.
"It's a goal for us to show the community there are other parts of aviation than just commercial air travel," she said.
"The smaller scale model airplanes are just another area of aviation," Radcliff said. "It is a real airplane, not a toy."
The free 2012 Air Show will take place Oct. 14 at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport.
