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PJ Rowland:

Robert Williamson's accomplishments in the world of model aircraft aerobatics are nothing short of remarkable. Despite being completely blind, he has won several championships through the years, often beating out pilots with no such disabilities. In doing so, Robert brings to the forefront the idea that limitations exist only in the minds of those who choose to be limited.

Robert lives in the small town near Tasmania, where he frequently takes part in local competitions. Robert was born with a condition called macular degeneration, making him blind in his right eye and almost 100% in the left. He cannot see anything that is directly in front of him, and his peripheral vision is virtually zero.

In his early years, Robert was fascinated with airplanes, and he used to build paper planes with his father. This fascination made him more curious about planes and how they fly, which led to him trying his hand at building model airplanes. Initially, the building process was a challenge, but Robert soon figured out how to overcome the hurdle using his sense of touch to create a pattern of small drops of glue on the balsa sheets, creating a sort of braille to assist him in the build process.

Winning control line model aircraft aerobatics competitions presents a unique set of challenges, given the level of skill and experience required to fly the planes. Competitors must be able to calculate distances and angles, have a vast knowledge of the dynamics of flying planes, and, most importantly, have a level of discipline that allows them to perform at their best. These attributes combined would mean that someone without visual acuity would be unable to compete successfully. However, Robert has broken all barriers, and he says he does not allow his blindness to hinder his ability to compete.

To compete in these high-stress tournaments requires not just impressive plane building skills, but also incredible piloting abilities. For those with sight, the challenge lies in practicing all the maneuvers repeatedly, followed by the nerves that come with flying in front of judges and spectators. For Robert, the blind man sculpting a model aircraft from the braille dots of glue, this process starts from the building process.

Robert's building methods, which involve gluing the balsa sheets using a pattern of braille dots, present one such challenge. His peers believe that the tactile nature of his building method limits how many planes he can create within a given period leading to him not competing as much. In a competition producing as close to flawless planes as possible is an essential part of the process, this could put him at a severe disadvantage. However, Robert has overcome this obstacle and is now building planes at a faster, more accurate rate than before.

Furthermore, Robert's lack of vision means he can't use visual markers when flying, However, Robert has succeeded in practicing the moves by relying entirely on the sounds of the plane and his feel.


Robert Williamson is now an accomplished model aircraft aerobatics competitor, having won several tournaments through the years. He has been flying planes for as long as he can remember. What sets him apart is that he has been creating and piloting the planes entirely by touch despite being blind.


Over the years, Robert has continued to perfect his building and flying process, modifying his planes to suit his specific needs. He can determine the different parts of the plane by the weight, rigidity, and texture of the materials, which helps him identify them.

What makes Robert’s story even more impressive is his ability to fly the airplanes he has built, even without the ability to see the ground. He has no concept of where the ground is, and some might assume that this would lead to him crashing frequently. But for Robert, his lack of vision in this regard is actually an advantage. It enables him to fly with no fear of the ground, and he is able to perform maneuvers based on his arm position and feel, giving him an unparalleled sense of freedom and control.

While Robert's lack of vision might seem to be a limiting factor, he has learned to harness his other senses, allowing him to fly the aircraft with ease. He cannot see the ground, but he can feel the changes in the speed, airflow, and the shifting of the plane as it flies through the air. With these skills, he can intuitively guide the plane to perform intricate maneuvers that require an exceptional level of skill and knowledge, leaving spectators in awe and judges amazed.

Robert’s outstanding achievements have left his competitors in awe. There were concerns that Robert's lack of vision would affect his ability to fly competition aerobatics, but he has adjusted his control line handle response curve to make it easier to fly. He has also excelled in executing tricky maneuvers and has gone from strength to strength, even winning local competitions and inspiring model airplane enthusiasts worldwide.

Commitment and hard work are essential components of Robert’s success, but his wife’s contribution is invaluable. Being blind, he needs his wife's assistance in choosing the right colors and designs for his planes. This underscores the profundity of his dedication to the craft, making allowances for his blindness to create something beyond what he can singularly achieve.

Robert’s performances and success have left no doubt that, with hard work, dedication, and an indomitable spirit, anything is indeed possible. Robert Williamson is a fine example of what is possible when one chooses not to be limited by their apparent "disabilities." His story is a source of inspiration, not just for those who aspire to model aircraft aerobatics, but for anyone who believes that their limitations exist only in their minds alone.

In conclusion, Robert Williamson's love and passion for control line aerobatics is indeed remarkable. He proves that with hard work, determination, and a will to succeed, anything is possible. His story is a source of encouragement for people that despite any challenges and obstacles they may face, they too can accomplish great things. Robert Williamson, the blind model airplane aerobatics champion, proves that a disability does not define a person's potential.

 

Clint Ormosen:
That’s pretty amazing! Oddly written, but amazing. I’ve been using the fact that I no longer see very well as an excuse to not build much, but I guess I can’t really lean on that now. I wonder how many planes he went through to learn to fly? I probably built 6 wings for a Jr Ring learning to fly upside down!
But the first time I get beat in competition by a blind man is the day I take up golf.

john e. holliday:
This is a great story and proves if you want to do some thing it can be done.  How about a picture of the man and his plane. D>K

Gerald Arana:
April fool!  LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

Good story, until I realized what day it is.

Jerry

Clint Ormosen:

--- Quote from: Gerald Arana on April 01, 2023, 10:01:30 AM ---April fool!  LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

Good story, until I realized what day it is.

Jerry

--- End quote ---

Is it? Seemed totally plausible with enough effort.

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