Altus Air Force Base News

 

RC airplanes soar at Altus AFB Youth Center

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-135 Stratotankers will not be the only aircraft flying at Altus AFB, Jan. 29. Maj. Donald W. Schmidt, 58th Airlift Squadron director of operations and some fellow aeronautic enthusiasts will be flying remote controlled aircraft inside the gym 8-10 a.m. at the Youth Center here.

The group of RC airplane hobbyists used to fly at an outdoor soccer field in the city of Altus, but the harsh weather conditions caused them to seek a more desirable and controllable place to fly.

Matthew Kuhl, 97th Force Support Squadron youth director, offered to let Major Schmidt and the rest of the group fly their planes inside the Youth Center's gym if they would consider working with the Youth Center to develop a youth aviation program, Major Schmidt explained.

"My hope is that we will get the kids and adults who have ever been interested in remote control airplanes involved. It is open for anyone who wants to try it," Major Schmidt said. "We are just a loose affiliation right now, but we are hoping it can develop into a more formal program."

Major Schmidt began building model airplanes as a hobby with his father when he was a kid. He would mow grass and shovel snow to help pay for the supplies needed to build the planes. His interest in aviation and engineering led to him getting his engineering degree in college and joining the Air Force.

"Major Schmidt sought us out for a place to fly," Mr. Kuhl said. "But when he started explaining how he got into it as a kid and that it could be a fun family activity, which would add another dimension to our youth program. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up."

The goals of the RCA club and the youth center are to teach people the basics of aerodynamics, how planes fly, and how airplanes are built. But it also aims to acquire funding to build a few model air planes for the youth and teach them how to fly their own planes.

"This is a chance for us to fly our planes and also give these kids an alternative to playing video games or sitting in front of the television," said Major Schmidt. "Here they can learn something that they may not have learned otherwise and maybe one day turn it into a career."

Anyone who is interested in this program is welcome to come out and watch this weekend.

"The nice thing about this hobby is you can learn about math and science and the controller doesn't differ too much from a video game controller," Major Schmidt said.

"It is kind of an opportunity for the kids to make what they see on the television real," said Major Schmidt.

Anyone wishing to get involved with the program can contact Mr. Kuhl at 580-481-7903