Female RC pilots
Jennifer Lea Reynolds
When I tell people that I fly RC aircraft, it often generates a lot of interest. After all, it’s a unique hobby, not to mention one that has predominantly male participation. I chose to focus on female RC pilots for this month’s column. These talented ladies fly a range of aircraft and have varying levels of involvement.
Amy Philbrick
Amy Philbrick, from Tennessee, is no stranger to flying Giant Scale airplanes, including a Sig Manufacturing ½-scale Piper J-3 Cub that she turned into a Navy NE-1. She also has a Fairchild PT-19 and a Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker.
She became involved in aeromodeling while dating her now-husband, Whitney, in the early 2000s. Upon discovering the wonder of flight at the Warbirds Over Delaware event, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s RC Jamboree, and the Connecticut Multi-Wing Fly-In, she became hooked.
“I get nothing but respect at the events we have been to. It’s a hobby filled with great people,” Amy said.
Amelia Arroyo
Another one who enjoys flying is 17-year-old Amelia Arroyo, a California resident who explained that her father named her after none other than Amelia Earhart. She grew up immersed in the hobby, having always been intrigued by her dad’s involvement in building rubber band-powered model airplanes.
Although today she primarily flies nitro-powered aircraft ranging from World War II warbirds to aerobatic airplanes, Amelia said that she hasn’t left her love of rubber band-powered flight behind. She’s a participant on her school’s Science Olympiad team, where she’s been recognized for her rubber band-powered airplane building and flying abilities.
“People are thrilled that I fly model aircraft,” she told me. “The reason I enjoy flying is because of how fun it is, as well as how the activity reminds me of my dad, whom I’m very close to.”
Courtney
Another woman whose love of flying has its ties to her father is Courtney, who lives in Florida. Courtney’s father passed away in 2010, but memories of him teaching
her how to fly in the late 1970s lingered with her. “I wanted to do something to reconnect with some of the fun times we had together and immediately thought of RC planes,” she told me.
She’s now an active participant in several events, clubs, and organizations, where she demonstrates her skills and
and several mentors, she became the first woman to compete in the US International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Nats in Muncie, Indiana.
“You just can’t describe what the competition scene is like until you’ve been there with those friends—they’re like family,” Jeanette said she’s “been blessed with some of the best sponsors in the hobby.”
Jeanette has hosted an IMAC Bootcamp, has been a contest director at IMAC events, and was a judging instructor at a regional IMAC judging school event she presented. On top of all of this, Jeanette also became involved with RC jets, became a full-scale FAA Certified Ground Instructor and, as of this writing, is pursuing her full-scale Certified Flight Instructor certificate.
She admits that people occasionally used to assume that only her husband flew, while she was there for support and to take care of their children. “I want to use my skills in the RC world and in full-scale to teach newcomers, both young and old, to chase that dream to fly,” she said. “I especially want to reach out to women in aviation. There aren’t enough of us.”
Model Aviation’s Jennifer Alderman is also involved in aeromodeling. She has a Flyzone Sensei WISE system trainer airplane and a Blade 200 SR X helicopter. She enjoys being able to meet people from around the world while capturing the fun from behind the camera lens.
She told me that as a female in a predominantly male hobby, she’s never experienced negativity. “I’ve never been treated differently—only encouraged—and when out at the flying field, we’re all one and the same and there for the enjoyment of the hobby.”
I fly as well, mainly at my home field in New Hampshire. Like these woman, I enjoy the camaraderie that unfolds.
Of course, having a good landing, especially when the wind shifts just as a darn mosquito lands on my ear, is a nice feeling, too.
