NARCA fly day attracts area pilots to Harvest

HARVEST – The North Alabama Radio Control Association (NARCA) conducted an impromptu fun fly on Nov. 9 at Epps field in Harvest.

Jeremy Hartmann of Birmingham and Chris Woodward of Nashville look over Woodward’s J-4 Tow plane before the gliders went into the air. (CONTRIBUTED)

“The day turned into one of the best club radio-control flying days in a long time,” NARCA publicist Clifford Lanham said. “The weather started out on the cold and damp side, scattered rain droplets and ended with sunshine and mild weather for the balance of the day.”

By noon, the ‘thermals’ were popping up about the skies, and the glider pilots took advantage of the conditions for 20- to 40-minute flights, Lanham said.

Motor-driven planes ranged from miniature electrics with eight- to ten-inch wingspans to seven-foot wingspans on 3D stunt aircraft.

“Aircraft sizes were as varied as their planes’ pilots,” Lanham said. “There were mini-electric planes with wing spans about eight to 10 inches in length to gliders with wing span beyond 10 feet.”

The pilot’s skills ranged from beginners to professional glider and 3D pilots. Pilots arrived from Birmingham, Guntersville, Madison and Harvest areas to fly, discuss flight techniques and enjoy a meal.

The NARCA club provided food for participants and the spectators. “The head chef, Rick Nelson, served up the best hamburgers and hot dogs money could buy and at no cost to the pilots,” Lanham said.

NARCA meets at the flying field during May, June, July and August. “Winter meetings are held at Star Market in Madison during September, October, November, January, February and March. The winter projects meeting is held in spring,” Lanham said.

For more information about NARCA, call 256-325-3775 or email to clanham@knology.net. For a map to Epps Field, visit flynarca.com.