President Keith Sandberg's beautiful Are's Stunter w/Double Star 40 for Power

The Minneapolis Piston Poppers (also known as the Piston Poppers) is a control-line model airplane club, which takes its roots in the mid-fifties.  About 1956, there were a few control-line clubs in the metro area: The St. Paul Polar Buzz Bugs, the Minneapolis Prop Busters, and the Crystal Model Aero Club.  In 1959, these independent clubs joined together to form the Piston Poppers and the club was officially established in 1960.  The prime movers for this joining of the clubs are some of our current members of today.

In 1966, the club was incorporated as the Minneapolis Piston Poppers as a non-profit organization.  It's mission was and still is, to promote model building and flying in this area.  To aid insofar as possible the policies of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).  We will strive to further the continual advancement of all phases of model aviation in the United States.  We will operate under the established provisions of the governing agency in the USA and the AMA.

From the beginning, contests have been held, eventually known as as the "10,000 Lakes Championships".  The early sites for these (may not be in order), Ward's Southtown, the State Fair Grounds, Becker Park in Crystal, and the old Midway Stadium in St. Paul, and North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park.

Over the years, many flying sites have been available to us. In addition to Becker Park in Crystal, the club's main growth occurred on the front lawn and rear parking lot of Carl Sandburg Junior High.  We were flying regularly in Lillian Seaman Park in Golden Valley where people set up chairs in the front yards so they could watch us.  Sandburg was changed physically so we flew at a school in New Hope for a couple of years.  When North Hennepin Community College was built, it was a perfect spot and we were flying primarily there during the Seventies.  Becker Park in Crystal, several small parks in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center were also used for sport flying with no problems.

Our first meeting place was the St. Louis Park Community Center, then later at Twin City Federal in Robbinsdale and the Hennepin County Library in Brooklyn Center.  We now hold our monthly meetings at the EAA Chapter Building at the Anoka County Airport.

Through the years the club has done numerous demonstrations:

• Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow ~ November 1993 ~ Fall Fellowship
• Blazing Blaine Days ~ July 1993 & 1994
• Discover Aviation Days ~ 1996 - 2001, 2003; 2002 canceled due to September 11th attacks.
• Young Eagles Demonstrations ~ 1996 & 1997 ~ Flying Cloud Airport

We have supported and and promoted youth and educational events including not only control-line, but also some of the free flight skill activities.  At the time of his death in 1976, Pete Simonson was running a program at "The Groves", a special needs school, which used special rubber powered airplanes called AMA Delta Darts.

We have been flying our models at the Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park since 1992.  We hold regular flying sessions throughout the year on Wednesday evenings and Sundays from 10:00 AM until Dark.  We have special events for kids and skill contests for all.  We have building sessions throughout the year at our club member's homes along with special sessions at the meeting hall.  We treat kids, parents, and spectators with respect and helpful answers to all questions about the control-line hobby.

These traditions are strongly continuing today with some of the old names and many new ones always willing to look for ways to contribute to the community.

Membership peaked at one point to around 60 although not all were active.  As time went on many new face's appeared including families.  Our current membership is 37 which includes boys, girls, men, and women from grade school to retirement age, with most members currently active.