Lee Aga describes the experience as an adrenaline rush. In 15 to 20 minutes of flying a model airplane, he said, anyone can become addicted.
His 15-year old son Brent was dazzled by the stunts performed by model airplanes during an Arvada Associated Modelers air show. From that point, Lee Age was taking Brent to the field as regularly as some parents take boys to soccer practice. In a couple of weeks, Brent was already flying solo. His dad was hooked, too.
“My son got me into it. I got tired of going to the field and watching him,” Aga said with a laugh. “I had to try it.”
Together both quickly mastered the sport, although Lee Aga admits he son may be better. Their peers at the Arvada group love to see them flying biplanes in coordinated patterns. Brent flies a 72-inch wing span airplane; dad flies the much smaller 24-inch wing span airplane.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, father and son will fly alongside more than 100 other model airplanes and helicopters during the Arvada group’s annual showcase.
“Most people think of model airplanes as someone playing with wires and rubber bands or giving these planes a toss,” said Larry Hansen, vice president of the club. “In reality these are scale models of stunt aircrafts.”
For those used to video games, he said, airplane models should not be difficult since they require the same eye-hand coordination. In fact, Hansen said youngsters are more eager and fearless to try stunts. The older crowd enjoys flying steadily for longer periods.
Hansen said model airplanes can do the same aerobatics as real airplanes but have a better power-to-weigh ratio, allowing the models to do more exciting tricks. The show, he said, will present all imaginable possibilities.
“Aerobatics are choreographed with music,” Hansen said. “There’s no break in the action. This is really a crowd pleasing air show.”
A midway concession with food and refreshments will divide the exhibition field from the beginner’s strip, where families can try the association’s models. An instructor will take the plane into the air and then pass the controller to the rookie tester. A buddy box connecting two transmitters will prevent any crashes, he said.
National champion Brian Copfer of Utah will be main attraction at the event. Among other awards, Copfer is a three-time winner of the Rocky Mountain Aerobatics Freestyle.
A lot of scale model World War I and II airplanes will also be featured, as well as a variety of model helicopters. Hansen said helicopters will be 4 or 5 inches from the ground.
“You are going to think that these are going to cut the grass,” she said.