District III
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
We’ve all heard the expression, “The Greatest Show on Earth,” made famous by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. For model aviation, I believe I have found its equivalent. On September 10-11, 2022, I attended the 61st annual Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club Flying Circus (GCRCC) held at the Butler County Regional Airport.
Because of the dedication and work by the members of the GCRCC, this show has grown the past 61 years to levels that the founding fathers of the club couldn’t have imagined. This year’s show was even more special, in that it celebrated the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. The show began promptly at 11:45 a.m. with a parade flyby and the national anthem playing with the American flag flown in by an RC helicopter.
The announcers, Tom Burdin and Mark Feist, were excellent in educating the thousands of spectators about the type of aircraft flying and the talents of the club members flying them. The show included Combat, Unusual Flying Objects, a balloon bust, World War I and II air racing, aerobatics, jets, a veteran tribute heritage flight, and more, with the grand finale being the space shuttle launch.
The club presented a check for $13,500 to the Spina Bifida Coalition of Cincinnati from proceeds from this event and others hosted by the club. Also, as District III vice president, I was honored to induct GCRCC member Tom Scott into the AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame. Tom has been on several Team USA RC Pylon teams, and is well known around the world for his generosity and dedication to our great hobby. This prestigious award couldn’t go to a more deserving person.
The AMA simulator trailer was on hand with a constant stream of people of all ages trying RC flying. As the district vice president, I am so proud that this event is in District III, and I wish to congratulate all the men and women of the GCRCC for your love of our hobby and paying it forward to the public with this yearly show, alongside your monetary donations to the community. I think its safe to say the that GCRCC
Flying Circus truly is the “Greatest Model Aviation Show on Earth!”
Fellow Pylon racer Dan Kane (L) nominated Tom Scott (R) for the prestigious AMA Hall of Fame Award, presented at the Flying Circus.
The grand finale of the Flying Circus is launching and landing the space shuttle. It was an awesome sight!
Always a Flying Circus crowd-pleaser are Unusual Flying Objects.
A few of the aircraft flown in the Flying Circus.
Until next month, stay safe and fly safely!
