Brodak Fly-In returns to Greene County
CARMICHAELS — The largest model aviation competition in the nation returned to Greene County this week for a five-day congregation of zipping, rolling and diving airplanes.
The 17th annual Brodak Fly-In, hosted by model airplane producer Brodak Manufacturing and Distributing Co. Inc. in Carmichaels, began Monday and runs through Saturday at a field on Locust Street in Carmichaels.
The event is the largest of its kind in the U.S. in terms of participants, said Brodak Manufacturing owner John Brodak. Sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the event features about 150 competitors flying control-line model airplanes. Brodak said earlier in the week that he expected at least an additional 150 spectators.
Brodak founded the competition in 1997 as a three-day event that attracted about 30 people. During its history, the event has drawn the attention of national model airplane magazines, which has helped to attract competitors from around the world. In the past, pilots from as far as Germany and Puerto Rico have traveled to Carmichaels for the competition, and nearly every state in the U.S. will be represented this year, said Brodak.
The influx of people to the Carmichaels area for the competition this week has Brodak estimating that the five-day event could pump as much as $250,000 into the local community.
“There’s 150 entries and 150 more people here to watch and they don’t just come and leave,” said Brodak. “They come and eat and buy souvenirs and stay overnight — for five days.”
“We think that this is a case where everyone wins. The builders and fliers have a great time. They spend money in the local communities and Carmichaels gets national attention through the advertising for the event,” he added.
During competition, pilots compete in 18 categories, testing their racing, combat, control and carrying abilities. Each category is divided into beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert classes.
A control-line airplane is a model plane that contains a pair of wires running from its body to the pilot, allowing the pilot to control the movements of the motorized aircraft. Control-line airplanes are typically lightweight, with a wingspan of 24 to 48 inches. The wires are commonly 50 to 75 feet long.
The model planes fly in a basic circular pattern but, depending on a pilot’s skill, can do figure-eights, rolls and other stunts.
Competitions begin at 8 a.m. each day and run until 5 p.m. There is no charge for admission.
A memorial service took place Thursday evening for former Brodak Fly-In pilots who have died during the event’s history. At the conclusion of the competition on Saturday, an awards ceremony will be held.
“We encourage non-fliers to come out and see what control-line flying is all about. You’d be amazed with what you can do with airplanes on 50-foot lines,” Brodak said.
Additional information about the event, including a five-day schedule, can be found online at brodak.com/fly-in.