Fox Valley Aero Club hosts 12th annual Festival of Flight
Can a lawn mower fly? You normally would say no, but at the Fox Valley Aero Club's Festival of Flight, it's common to see lawnmowers fly, cars fly, and helicopters cut the grass.
This RC Model Club has been making unusual things fly for over 12 years at their air shows. On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Fox Valley Aero Club will sponsor its 12th annual Festival of Flight Air Show.
For seven hours of continuous flying, you will see nonstop examples of all size and styles of radio controlled airplanes and helicopters. There will be noon time demonstrations set to music of some of the most extreme 3-D planes and 3-D helicopters you can imagine. The flight demonstrations will include 3-D style stunt planes doing stunts and hovering inches above the ground, a unique flying lawnmower and car, highly detailed giant scale Warbirds, high speed scale jets going up to 200 mph with real jet engines, and helicopters flying upside down close enough to mow the grass. At the end of the noontime air show, there will be a candy drop for the young people and an open flight line for the audience to view the planes up close.
"I have been participating in the Festival of Flight for years and am excited to be the co-chairman this year. The 12th Annual Festival of Flight is a perfect Air Show for both local RC Pilots and for families," states James Thompson, event co-chairman. "The purpose of our event is to allow all types of RC aircraft pilots to demonstrate their fantastic flight skills and for the audience to enjoy a wide variety of RC airplanes that will thrill the entire family."
Fox Valley Aero Club president Dale Gathman explains: "Our pilots work all year to get ready for this event. Each plane is made so precisely it will respond to the slightest movement of the pilot's control sticks. The skill, confidence and ability to make these aircraft do such amazing stunts and maneuvers take many hours of practice. The audience always enjoys these exciting air shows."
The club has almost 200 members with members of all ages. The private airfield designed for RC Aircraft only, has a blacktop runway over 800 feet long and a short grass runway over 850 feet long. They have grandstands for public seating, generous free parking, and a children's playground. Bring your own lawn chairs as crowds can grow quickly.
"We enjoy sharing our unique hobby with the community to educate and entertain young and old about the history and enjoyment of model aviation," adds Tom Flint of the Fox Valley Aero Club.
Admission is $5 per person. Kids 12 and under are free. Food vendors will be onsite. The 12th Annual Festival of Flight starts at 9 a.m. and includes a noon time air show.
The airfield is at 3821 Karl Madsen Drive in St. Charles. From the corner of Randall and 38 go west on Route 38, drive one block west of Peck Road to Karl Madsen Drive on the left. Turn left and follow the signs to the flight field. For information, visit foxvalleyaero.com.