Whittier Narrows

[petermick]

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of putting in a number of flights at Whittier Narrows.  This was quite a treat for a snowbird from Wisconsin.  My wife and I decided last year to spend two months in the San Diego area which gave me the opportunity to compete for the first time at VSC.  Needless to say I had to bring a plane along and thus we loaded up our van with all of our personal needs, the dog and my Brodak Oriental.  Of course I needed some practice time before going to Tucson so we ventured up to LA to see what Whittier Narrows was all about.  The drive of 128 miles was worth it.  Upon my arrival I found a number of RC fliers using their portion of the facility and they directed me to the CL section of the park.  I found a very well marked stunt circle as well as what appeared to be a completely fenced in racing circle.  I believe there is a second stunt circle however I didn't venture over to that part of the field.  The weather was perfect, 63 degrees, little wind and not a cloud in the sky.  Additionally there was no one else there so I had the place all to myself and I managed to put in six flights.

The park is a Multi use facility and I was amused to see a large sign by the RC area that stated "PLEASE DON'T FLY PLANES OVER THE RIFLE RANGE".  I hope no one has ever been shot down.  I also noted that the club or clubs that use this facility must have a very good relationship with the local Parks Department because I found at least two signs that stated this area is for the sole use of Control Line Airplane Flying. I hope you Southern California fliers put this field to good use otherwise you might loose it like my club did back in Milwaukee.

I want thank the LA fliers for having a field like this available.  It was the pleasure for a guy from the Frozen Tundra to be able to borrow it for a winter afternoon.

Thanks

Peter Mick
AMA 9581

[Paul Wescott]

Peter Mick (AMA 9581?  Wow!), I'm glad you like the flying site, and had the opportunity to try it out, and were generous enough to put it in writing.  There are plenty of homes for sale in the surrounding cities!  And very little tundra.  You should stop by during an event.  Most of the regulars are just as nice as the site.  Lots of pictures of various events at Whittier Narrows at the link below.

Just another model airplane guy...

Paul W.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/star-paul-star/collections/
SCAR - Southern California Air Racers (CL)
KOTRC - Knights of the Round Circle (CL)
VCB - Valley Circle Burners (CL)
BSS - Black Sheep Exhibition Squadron (FF)
AMA
NFFS
etc.

[Howard Rush]

I was there last weekend.  Temperature was in the eighties and the sky was clear.  I had forgotten the existence of the sun, so I had to buy sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.  I spent most of my time at the combat circle watching my old combat mates fly F2D airplanes at high mach numbers.  I enjoyed meeting Mike Allurac, a nice man who let me fly his fine Flite Streak.  There was little stunt activity either morning.  John Wright was there taking attendance, I presume to show evidence of participation to the authorities.  A highlight of the visit was watching Bill Heyworth's nine-year-old grandson learning to stunt.  The RC guys weren't flying over the rifle range, but over the hiking trail and freeway.  We initially thought a pylon racer was out of control when he flew past our circle and over the freeway.  He didn't crash after two laps around us, so I guess it was business as usual.  He landed it normally.  It won't be the first field we've lost to irresponsible RC guys.  

[Michael Alurac]

Howard, It was a great pleasure to meet you this last weekend out at Whittier Narrows with Chuck Rudner and Rich Lopez. Thank both you and Peter Mick for visiting and posting comments to your visit at our fine flying field here in So. Cal. Come back again soon and visit us for the Bob Palmer Memorial this April 27-28. There's more contest info on our site www.KOTRC.org

Mike Alurac

[Chris McMillin]

I was there last weekend.  Temperature was in the eighties and the sky was clear.  I had forgotten the existence of the sun, so I had to buy sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.  I spent most of my time at the combat circle watching my old combat mates fly F2D airplanes at high mach numbers.  I enjoyed meeting Mike Allurac, a nice man who let me fly his fine Flite Streak.  There was little stunt activity either morning.  John Wright was there taking attendance, I presume to show evidence of participation to the authorities.  A highlight of the visit was watching Bill Heyworth's nine-year-old grandson learning to stunt.  The RC guys weren't flying over the rifle range, but over the hiking trail and freeway.  We initially thought a pylon racer was out of control when he flew past our circle and over the freeway.  He didn't crash after two laps around us, so I guess it was business as usual.  He landed it normally.  It won't be the first field we've lost to irresponsible RC guys.  

You should be there when there is a Pylon Contest! They close the CL site.
Chris...

[petermick]

Paul W.  if you are wondering about my 4 diget AMA number I lost two numbers when I became a contest director some year ago.

Peter Mick

[Mike Lauerman]

Mike, that Flite Sttreak 'Study in Red' is most inspirational!

(Now watch for a big stream of red Flite Streaks! Could be 'catchy'.) 

Did you really let Howard fly it?  Hi, Howard...

[Bill Little]

Mike, that Flite Sttreak 'Study in Red' is most inspirational!

(Now watch for a big stream of red Flite Streaks! Could be 'catchy'.) 

Did you really let Howard fly it?  Hi, Howard...

Brother Mike,

Stunt planes are always pretty in red, sorta like a custom rod looks pretty in Candy Apple Red!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Andrew Borgogna]

Peter
Like Mike, I too am a member of the Knights of the Round Circle and couldn't happier that you enjoyed your visit.  Please return any time and let us know when you are coming we will be sure to have somebody there to help. 
Andy Borgogna

[Michael Alurac]

Hi Mike, Yes I really did let Howard fly it and you're invited to fly it too the next time you make to So Cal. He flew it like he owned it and was quite satisfying to watch in the capable hands of the JCT! I do hope to inspire a wave of Flite Streaks of any color and hope to see you so inspired to build one for yourself. That is if you don't already have one or more in the hangar. Andy Borgogna has an electric Flite Streak running mighty fine out there too that he might just let you have a hand at the handle.

And to Brother Bill, I enthusiastically second that and when deciding upon a color red seemed to fit the bill! Top Flite rattle canned the fuse, stab/elev and rudder and Monokote covered the wings. I've flown this Flite Streak pictured in slow combat at the recent Southwest Regionals in Tucson, AZ in late Jan. to a third place against the Mears Bros. Bob and Andy, first and second respectively. It's not quite as purty as in the pic but still flies and runs great using a Fox 36 sport turning a 9 x 6 prop.

Come on out and enjoy our field and we're always willing to help with a launch.

Hope to see you all soon!

Mike