Family atmosphere dominates seventh annual Brodak’s Fly-In
CARMICHAELS – “It’s kind of like an over-extended family here,” said Jude Cole of West Leisenring, who was on hand Saturday as a spectator at the seventh annual Brodak’s Fly-In. The feeling of fun, familiarity and family was prevalent during the four-day event for control-line model airplane enthusiasts, which concludes today at the home of John Brodak.
“It’s fun for the whole family. For some of the people here, this is like a family vacation. This year, we have more young people than ever before,” said Brodak.
The Fly-In brings together the fans of control-line airplanes, a form of model aviation wherein the participant is tethered to his or her craft. This year’s events drew an estimated 175 participants to the six flying fields constructed on Brodak’s 23-acre site, where they flew more than 800 flights over the weekend.
An important part of the Fly-In is having fun with model aviation, an emphasis that is preferred by some of the participants over the too-strict and overly serious competition at some events.
“A lot of people like this event better than the Nationals, because it’s more of a fun atmosphere,’ said Brodak.
Brodak estimates that half the participants at the Fly-In will go to the Nationals competition, but the others are more interested in enjoying the craft than competing seriously.
The eclectic mix of license plates in the makeshift parking lot illustrated the long-distance draw of the Fly-In, with nearly all 50 states represented during the weekend. According to Brodak, there were also participants present from Japan, Brazil and Finland this year.
“It’s a fun event: watching the guys fly, watching the competitions, and meeting people from other states and other countries,” said Cole. “A lot of people come back each year, and you really can get to know them. “
The geographic diversity each year is attributed to word of mouth and craft magazines like the Academy for Model Aeronautics magazine. The AMA magazine, which is received by all insured control-line pilots, publishes a weekly schedule of events and competitions.
The weather is always a concern for those at the Fly-In. Mere rain is not enough to deter these aviation enthusiasts, but with the pilots attached to their craft by 60-70 feet of steel wire, if the rain turns to thunder and lightning, the planes are grounded. Though the weather didn’t entirely cooperate this year, the event did not suffer because of it.
Ted Heinritz, a Fly-In participant from Philadelphia said, “There has been some rain here and there; we’ve had to take some breaks, but they’ve gotten most of the flights in.”
With most of the activities held on grass, even without lightning, the rain can cause difficulties for the event host. His carefully prepared fields and walkways were transformed by countless footsteps into tracts of mud. To combat the muck, Brodak and his crew covered the patches of mud with hay and straw; a solution that was implemented last year during heavy rains.
“Since we’ve been at this for seven years, we’ve seen pretty much everything, and we’re ready,’ said Brodak.
Serious preparations began two weeks ago as Brodak and others worked out event details like lawn management, paperwork, forms, trophies, bathroom rentals, and meal preparation. Around 10 people work weeks prior to prepare for the event, and 60-70 staff members help make it a reality during the weekend.
Cole has attended the Fly-In for the past five or six years and appreciates what the hosts put into the event.
“The Brodaks are down-to-earth people, very nice people, who welcome everyone into their yard and their home,” she said. “I enjoy coming out here each year.”
Control-line aviation is not widely known, and Heinritz feels that some control-line competitions like precision aerobatics can be difficult to appreciate for those who have never flown. The precision aerobatics competition requires the pilot to complete a set list of maneuvers in an eight-minute time limit, but it is more than just going through a series of motions.
“It’s kind of like figure skating; it’s subjective, and a lot depends on the judge,” he said.
On Saturday, the popular “Junkyard Wars” competition was held. In just its second year, the event drew 51 people, divided into 17 teams who attempt to build a control-line aircraft out of a wooden orange crate.
The event is a popular one and is more about fun and enjoyment than competition.
“It’s more of a spectator event. It’s something that people can identify with, and it’s exciting because you never know what’s going to happen next,” said Mary Knight, who traveled with her husband from Pompton Lakes, N.J., for the event.
With interest in control-line flying on the rise and the turnout at the event growing, Brodak considers the seventh Fly-In a success. Many of those who attend the Fly-In return year after year and forge lasting friendships while model planes soar in the skies above Carmichaels.
The atmosphere of friendship and enjoyment created by the “over-extended family” of flyers is what really makes the Fly-In a success.
“It’s the most fun you can have in a few days. It’s like getting together with family and friends,” said Knight.
“If you don’t know someone when you get here, you’ll know them by the time you leave.”