Instructor Keith Sandberg lets Kevin Loedham take
full control of the plane at the 2004 Kids Kontest!
The Piston Poppers hold an annual Kids Kontest to introduce young people to the sport of control line flying. Owning your own plane or having prior experience is not necessary. All planes and equipment are provided at the Kontest, with instructors on hand. Kids are encouraged to help in setting up before and afterward for their flight. They are judged on takeoff, flying, stunts, and landing, but most of all on how much FUN and sportsmanship they show. Judges are picked from anyone standing around.
The top three place finishers get prizes, with the rest getting a framed certificate and congratulations. This is a FUN event for all with the judges having as much fun as the kids.
Some of the 2004 Kids Kontest participants posing for a group
picture at the end of the day!
“7” Proves Lucky for the Kids in Brooklyn Park
By: Jeff Welliver
For the 7th consecutive year, the MINNEAPOLIS PISTON POPPERS Inc., were able to give a happy crowd of kids an opportunity to experience the “hands on” feel of actually flying control line model airplanes. The annual KIDS KONTEST, Held at the Piston Poppers flying site on the northwest corner of the Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, provides club airplanes and pilots to get kids from 5 years and up in control of engine powered models, flying in a circle on control lines from 40 to 60 feet long.
Unlike so many “virtual reality” activities of today, control line pilots literally FEEL the vibration of the engine and the responses of the models to their own control movements and to the winds during the flights. For that few minutes, pilot and model become one continuous piece, responding almost to thought rather than motion. As you watch the kids faces go from intense concentration to an amazed smile, you can see it happen, it’s as if that control handle is suddenly “alive” in their hands, willing to follow every instruction!
Club president and Chief Instructor Keith Sandberg and his helpers patiently guided dozens of kids into the air. Some were able to “solo”, some needed continuing help and in one case the 6’ Sandberg found it easier to simply hold the young fellow in his arms while flying rather than bending that far over to guide him. 20 youngsters were able to post official scores in the generously judged competition with Alex finishing first, Kevin second, and Kelley third. These kids not only flew but managed some basic aerobatics such as “climb & dives”, “wingovers”, and even some “Loops”. It was not uncommon for the budding pilots to have to give up the control hand for a minute and sit down during the middle of a flight to steady up from the great hazard of control line flying: DIZZINESS! But soon up they come to get that handle back from Keith and the other instructors. No one wants to give up that precious flying time.
Ending a successful day, Gold, Silver, and Bronze metals with ribbons to the winners with certificates to all contestants were awarded along with many prizes. Watching the kids and proud parents every year makes all the effort by the many people involved well worth it. In addition to our club’s efforts, local hobby dealers Hobbytown stores in Brooklyn Park and Minnetonka along with the Hub Hobby Center in Little Canada help each year with the prizes.
We’ll be back at it again next July with our 8th annual Kids Kontest, but if you’re curious now, come see us at the field Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at the Northwest corner of the Hennepin Technical College. We’ll do our best to get you (or the kids) Dizzy!
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Kelly Loedham takes flight with instructor Keith Sandberg and comes out a big winner! |
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Thank you to Jim Gevay and Jeff Welliver for providing these photos!