NPMAC WINTER BLUES FUN-FLY
By Joe Malinchak | joemal@echoes.net
MICHAEL VOICHECK, ED.D., the technology and engineering department chair and educator at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, is also the North Penn Model Aviation Club (NPMAC) advisor. In 2003, NPMAC was formed to teach the fundamentals of aviation through RC modeling to promote an interest in aviation through group projects and activities and to increase knowledge of physics and engineering through model building and flying.
Since its inception, the club has received startup grants, as well as model aircraft donations from the local community, participated in elementary school outreach events, hosted annual fun-fly events that attract local RC pilots and community members, collaborated with local community flying groups, successfully built and flown autonomous drones, and has been recognized by AMA for its efforts in promoting youth in model aviation.
The club primarily operates fixed-wing aircraft, but it also dabbles with drones and helicopters during its weekly meetings. Members use RTF airplanes and those manufactured in-house using laser-cutting and other manufacturing processes.
Every year, I look forward to attending the club’s indoor Winter Blues Fun-Fly event that is held at the North Penn High School. Michael, his students, and staff do a wonderful job of organizing and running the event. It was held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in the school’s beautiful 175 X 105-foot gym. Tables and chairs were set up and provided for everyone to use. Dedicated time slots were available for open flying, 3D, helicopters/multirotors, and micro aircraft.
This year, they had a great turnout, with some beautiful indoor models and talented pilots in attendance. Dave Lockhart put in some great flights with his 3D models and entertained everyone with his amazing skills. Anthony Dalessandro flew several beautiful Free Flight (FF) models. He put on a wonderful demonstration during the halftime show with his slow-flying Pennyplane.
Curtiss Gay and Christian Van Houten had an impressive collection of microscale models at the event, including several from the Stevens AeroModel line of kits. Matt Hatfield put in several great flights with his Stevens AeroModel Fokker D.VII.
It is a pleasure to watch all of the different types of models that are flown at an event such as this. I really enjoyed seeing the FF models fly, all of the Scale models, and even some of the new micro—RTF scale helicopters. I also had a great time flying my micro airplanes in the school’s large gym. I flew my 1/72-scale Corsair, my Microaces Bristol F.2b, and several others.
This is a great event that is all about having fun. I am already looking forward to attending next year’s event!
Microaces’ New Line of Kits
Microaces is developing a new line of Master Series Scale kits. The kits will feature the latest technology, making them look as scalelike as possible, yet they will have a lightweight structure. The airframes will be constructed out of 2mm foam that is covered in beautifully printed Tyvek, a strong, lightweight, paperlike material.
The first two kits that will be available are a 23.6-inch wingspan 1/20-scale Hawker Hurricane and a 19-inch wingspan 1/20-scale Messerschmitt Bf 109E. Please see the Microaces website for more information; it’s listed in “Sources.”
SOURCES:
NPMAC
www.northpennmac.org
www.instagram.com/northpennmodelaviation
Stevens AeroModel
www.stevensaero.com
Microaces
support@microaces.com
www.microaces.myshopify.com/en-us
