LAST EDITED ON Jul-28-03 AT 01:10 AM (CDT) The Central Arizona Control Line Club recently collaborated with the City of Avondale in an outstanding community outreach program, a 2003 Fourth of July control line demonstration.
Nothing is as memorable as one's first flight--except perhaps one's first solo.
Thanks to a generous donation to the CACLC of a number of Cox PT-19 trainers and the patient expertise of club members, a number of potential pilots got that critical opportunity to actually fly a model for the first time.
Here's one example of the many first flights made that day.
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| Typical bystanders watching the flying include youngster Alex Villanueva, (center with plastic bottle in hand), his Mom (right) and his Dad, to Alex's immediate right. Although hesitant at first, young Alex eventually admitted he would like a chance to fly one of the available trainers, at which point the CACLC swung into action. |
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| 'It's not that hard!' CACLC Vice President and flight instructor Ken Gulliford tells young Alex Villanueva, who is excited at the prospect of his first control line flight. |
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| From the plane's point of view, It's just another day at the office as the two headless pilots wait another launch in the hands of a neophyte while Guilliford concludes the preflight briefing in the center of the circle. |
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| Nice and easy... Alex Villanueva, (left) maintains level flight under the watchful eye and deft assistance of Ken Gulliford. Despite appearences, they are not in danger of landing on the cab of the pickup. |
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| High Flight. Alex Villanueva, (left) takes the PT-19 up for a couple of high laps. |
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| The Right Stuff. Alex Villanueva's parents listen intently as Ken Gulliford debriefs them after Alex's successful first flight. Despite a brief bout with the 'dizzies', Villanueva managed a solid flight and a one piece landing. "He's always talked about being a pilot," Villanueva's evidently pleased mother confided after the flight, "Always." |
For the remainder of the story:
Introduction
Aircraft on Display
Shots of the Crowd
Remembering Veterans
Airshowmanship
First Flight