Miniature Aircraft Provides Interesting Hobby

Many of us have developed an interest in a hobby in our youth that has lasted a lifetime. We have found pleasure in a certain activity for decades, and have learned an enormous amount about that particular pastime as the years pass. Ron Gerry, Sidney, can attest to this lifelong interest in a hobby as he has built model or miniature aircraft throughout his life. Since his retirement he builds and repairs miniatures over the winter then flies them for fun over the summer.

“I started this hobby as a kid,” Gerry comments. “I would see planes in the air and wonder how they flew. I had no access to a hobby shop so I made my own planes from scrap lumber and just threw them off the barn roof to see how well they flew. Once thing led to another and I got into model aircraft.”

He adds, “I took flying lessons as an adult and had my pilot’s license but it got expensive. I went back to the models; I always go back to them.”

Gerry currently owns six aircraft that can fly and has several more in various stages of construction or repair. He points out that 20 years ago, he built all his planes from wood, but today people can buy store-bought aircraft made from plastic or other materials and that are ready to fly as soon as they come out of the box. Methods of providing the energy necessary to keep the craft aloft have changed as well. “I used to design and build my own aircraft,” Gerry remarks. “Today I can buy ready-made planes that all I have to do is bolt on the wings and charge the battery. We used to run the aircraft on gas engines, or alcohol with oil, but today most aircraft are electric, run by batteries. The technology is so good that a small battery will fly a plane for 10-15 minutes.”

He adds, “The electric models are great. You can throw them in the car and go. You don’t need fuel; just batteries, the aircraft and the transmitters.”

Model and miniature aircraft come in all shapes and sizes. The models are exact replicas of existing aircraft, while most miniatures are created by individuals. “The average size of a miniature aircraft is a six -foot wing span,” Gerry says. “There are all types of aircraft, not necessarily built to scale. People design and build their own aircraft that have no counterpart in the real world. People also can buy scale models of certain aircraft.”

Flying these miniatures takes patience and practice, and beginners can expect to wreck or at least crash their first planes. “The controls are hand-held,” says Gerry. “People hold transmitters in their hands to control the plane, move it, and fly it accurately. Flying a miniature aircraft teaches a person that things don’t always work as expected. It takes practice to operate these planes, and crashes are common, especially for beginners.”

He laughs and adds, ‘Whenever your pride and joy bites the dust, you just have to start over again.”

Gerry enjoys this hobby for many reasons. “I love airplanes, I like to work with my hands and put something together and see that it actually works,” he explains. “I’m out in the fresh air when I’m flying and I get camaraderie from people with like interests.”

He adds, “I’m retired now and working on a hobby keeps my mind occupied on the task at hand. It makes time fly.”

Gerry flies his miniatures aircraft all summer long. He and a group of like-minded enthusiasts have formed the Plane Folks Club that meets every Tuesday evening all summer long to fly planes. “John Mercer lets us use ten acres on his ranch south of town,” Gerry says. “We have a little airport with runway and wind sock. We formed the Plane Folks to promote model aviation. Anyone at all can come out on Tuesday evenings to see what we do, visit about flying, and have some fun. Tuesday is our official fly night at the airport south of town. Someone is always there so come out and look and see. We’re always interested in new members who like to talk planes.”

He concludes, “To find the airport, cross the MDU Bridge, go down the Lost Highway four miles south and we’re on the right hand side of the road.”