In the 1999 movie “October Sky,” a young Homer Hickam (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) witnessed Sputnik (launched Oct. 4, 1957) travel across the ink black sky of Coalwood, West Virginia. Inspired, he began a journey of model rocketry that would turn his passion into a career at Cape Canaveral working for NASA. It is a fitting coincidence that decades later, on October 4th & 5th, the Williamsport Sky High Soaring Society hosted a spectacular Warbirds event over the skies of rural farmland in Muncy, Pennsylvania.
When I visited on the 5th, the air over the Muncy Highlands was filled with the unique whine of electric motors. The show included scale RC models of iconic WWII legends like the sleek P-51 Mustang, powerful British Supermarine Spitfire, and German Focke-Wulf FW190 (the butcher bird). Also sent aloft was a Vought F4U Corsair, nicknamed Whistling Death by adversaries for the sound made as air rushed over its intakes. This tribute showcased not only famous fighters but the rugged Interwar Boeing PT-17 Stearman trainer and more modern aircraft like the A-10 Warthog. Don’t let their size fool you, some of these RC planes can reach speeds between 40-60mph or as high as 100mph or more for high-speed EDF (electrically ducted fan) Jets.
The club, the Williamsport Sky High Soaring Society, is an AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) sanctioned club (#5587) with a FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) approved flying site in the Muncy Highlands. While their primary focus is on scale RC sailplanes, they embrace all forms of model aircraft; like the warbird weekend, they may also hold other thematic events in addition to their regular aerotow events.
The passion for model aviation spans generations, making the hobby for young and old alike. Participants travel from all over, even from as far away as California, showcasing a community as diverse as the aircraft they fly. These miniature planes vary widely in construction and complexity. Hobbyists can choose from models built from traditional wood, modern composite materials, or durable foam. Some are even finished with fabric covering to mirror their real-life counterpart. For those new to the hobby, there are RTF (ready to fly) models, which are fully assembled with all electronics and accessories, or RTB (ready to bind), which simply need pairing to a transmitter. For the more experienced, there are ARF (almost ready to fly) model kits that require minimal assembly, or full kits can be purchased and built from scratch.
Those interested in exploring or getting into the hobby will find a community of passionate enthusiasts who are eager to share their knowledge. Before flying a real model, simulators can aid in the learning of how to control these model planes. Aspiring newcomers can also be taken under the wing of experienced hobbyists using a “buddy box” – two linked radio systems that allow the instructor to take control instantly.
The enduring, sometimes precarious, spirit of early aviation is perhaps best captured by the introduction from the 1965 film “Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines.”
“Ever since man started to think, he’s wanted to fly. But flying was strictly for the birds. Man, eternally optimistic, kept trying. Encouraged by many successes, he eventually managed to get his machines off the ground…and sometimes brought them down again.”
Today, flying is no longer strictly for the birds. That same indomitable spirit of early aviation that saw Homer Hickam send his model rockets to new heights is clearly on display in Muncy. The members of the club who fly these miniaturized planes carry on a legacy of aviation innovation and strive to reach ever higher to their own October Sky.
To explore the hobby, learn more about the group, or to find upcoming events, you can visit the Sky-High Soaring Club at Skyhighsoaring.org or on their Facebook page. I would like to extend a personal thank you to Len Buffinton, Mark Wertman, and others in attendance for taking the time to answer questions and share their expertise and passion for the hobby.
