Sky high fun found in RR

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

Light breezes, pleasant temperatures, and cloud cover provided an ideal venue for the Rainy River International Radio Controlled Aircraft Club’s Annual Fun Fly in Rainy River last Saturday.
“We have about thirty-five pilots registered this year,” reported club president Bill Hagarty from the Flying Field, as model craft roared over the field and 75 craft lined the infield. These craft ranged from very modest starter models worth under $100 to 1⁄4 scale model replicas, exact to the smallest details representing and investment several thousand dollars and hundreds of hours of labour each.
The SkyHawks, a professional club from Mankato, MN who fly r/c craft for the movie industry were on hand again this year demonstrating their prowess in aerial acrobatics and precision multi craft formation flying.
Mark Sharpe, formerly of the Rainy River OPP detachment was also piloting several different craft. Sharpe is noted for his work developing a radio controlled surveillance system for use in police force work such as accident and crime scene investigation.
Throughout the day dozens of spectators, young and old ventured out to the event at the Flying Field off Byrnes Rd, north of Rainy River to inspect the amazing display of model craft and gape open-mouthed at the aerial acrobatics.
There was even the occasional sacrifice to the Turf Gods by a few unlucky pilots, but nothing that a few dollars, some glue and elbow grease can’t repair. And of course, no fatalities.