By Sharon Turano
Members of “a flying club that has a social attitude” are inviting other pilots and spectators to join them as they gather for the 45th annual Southern Tier Aero Radio Society’s (STARS) Fun Fly and Airshow next weekend, July 9 & 10 at 5046 W. Shore Road, Cuba, NY.
The club’s Secretary, Gary Fitch, described the flying club and detailed what spectators and hobbyists alike can expect at the event. “It’s all about fun, fellowship and family,” he said.
Fitch said he was born with an interest in flying and has since been able to learn how to build and fly radio-controlled planes, serve in capacities at the national level and help share this passion with others. “I dreamt of flying,” he said, adding he bought a foam airplane in 1979 that lasted four flights before crashing. That led him to purchase a kit and he built his first model. After seeking help, he learned to fly that plane. Now he and many other club members, want to help others so they can experience the hobby.
“It’s a challenge,” Fitch said, adding, “you learn so much.” That includes how to build a radio-controlled plane, how to fly and use different propulsion methods from electric motors to glow and gas-powered engines, and even real turbine jet engines. You learn how to set up the aircraft and program the radio to do what you want while controlling the plane. Then, he said, comes “the pucker factor.” That factor, also known as nerves, varies based upon the price to build the planes and knowing they could crash on their maiden flight.
The camaraderie of that feeling, along with the thrill of flying, and helping others learn the hobby, is what brings club members together. People can fly in backyards, he said, but quickly added it’s a lot more fun, and educational, to get together with others who have the same interest, and STARS provides a free flight training program to anyone interested.
STARS is one of the oldest clubs in the U.S. founded in 1932 in Olean. It is a chartered club with the national organization, Academy of Model Aeronautics, in Muncie, IN. STARS is one of 2,500 such clubs nationwide. The club attained national notoriety with AMA in the 1970’s when it was instrumental in developing giant, ¼ scale radio-controlled aircraft with 8-foot wings. An AMA historic preservation plaque at the club’s field testified to this.
Fitch served as a Vice President and executive Vice President of the association and said the organization works with Congress on Federal Aviation Administration laws to protect model aviation. The organization provides liability insurance to more than 200,000 members and much more. Youth camps are held, and AMA provides STEM and STEAM programs for schools. Much of what students learn in the classroom can be put to use on the flying field, he said. In this hobby, there’s a wealth of things you learn,” said Fitch.
In the early 1990’s, STARS purchased its own field, built a 1,000-foot runway, clubhouse and bathrooms, where refreshments and more are available. During the pandemic, other clubs had their fields closed or hours curtailed, but Fitch said STARS’ field was open so people could come, camp and continue to fly outside where social-distancing was practiced. During the last two years, membership has almost doubled.
Those wanting to witness flights are welcome to visit the Fun Fly and Air Show. Admission is free with a $5 parking donation going towards the club for facilities maintenance. The pilots will begin gathering at 8am Saturday, with flights and a classic car show from 10am-5pm.
Food and drinks will be available.
The camping area will be full of pilots and their families from throughout the region, predicts Fitch. Last year, hundreds of spectators came from Hornell, Syracuse, Corning, Pennsylvania and more