New JCRC Members & Student Pilots
Learning to fly Radio Control Airplanes

Last updated 02/02/2007

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     Click on the photos to see a larger version of each photo. While some of the people featured on this page are no longer considered 'new' members, we are especially proud of our newest members and welcome Student Pilots who are interested in receiving R/C flying lessons. We are grateful for those who come out to the field to learn how to fly properly and safely. We extend each of you a warm welcome to the Miller Flying Field! We encourage those learning to fly to review the JCRC Student Flight Log so that you become more familiar with the terminology and so you can see what we will be trying to teach you! As a Student Pilot it is also in your best interest to review the Miller Flying Field Regulations.

     While we try our best to be the friendliest Club in Missouri to any visitor that arrives at the Miller Flying Field, please keep in mind that there are times when we are so engrossed in our flying activities that we may actually forget to say; "Hi!" Please feel free to talk with any of us during your visit. We don't mean to be rude, we're just having too much fun! 

     Sometimes during our Thursday "Trainer Nights" we have many students show up to learn to fly and during those times when there are a limited number of instructors available, it may become necessary for us to enforce one of our 'less friendly' Club Policies. That is, Student Pilot visitors can receive up to three (3) free flying lessons; not necessarily all on the same day. Current (dues paid) JCRC Members will receive as many lessons as needed to learn to fly solo. Therefore, if it is a busy "Trainer Night," JCRC Club Members will be given priority over visiting Student Pilots, but we will try to accommodate everybody.

     For those of you who feel the training isn't necessary, we offer up this photo for your review. We won't identify the pilot, suffice it to say that this person decided to try the first flight on his own without seeking assistance. At the time he had not even contacted the club. His first flight lasted an estimated 15 seconds which is slightly longer than most who attempt it on their own without help!

Brian Braunschweig is also an avid Amateur Radio Operator. He has progressed rapidly and soloed his Sig LT-40 on the last official Thursday Trainer Night of 2005 on October 27! Way to go Brian!  

Anthony Hodge joined the Club during the October 2005 meeting and was doing a great job of getting his Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 under control. 

Tom DeGrace holds his Great Planes Slinger, electric-powered flying wing. Tom already has a great collection of electrics, his Multiplex Easy Soar Star really flies nicely and he's advanced very quickly.

Jim Crago is shown here with his NexStar trainer ready for another flight. Jim is also considered a veteran member of the Club and is flying on his own and owns several airplanes and helicopters. 

Update! On September 30, 2004, Jim, in front of a large gathering of pilots and spectators soloed for the first time and did an excellent job with his NexStar! Congratulations to Jim! Jim was one of our best Field Marshal's ever and in 2007 was elected to be JCRC's Vice President.

This is Brandon Rex. He started flying with us as one of our youngest members when he was 11 years old. He started out with a GWS Slow Stick, a GWS Tiger Moth and a GWS A-10. He has since worked his way up to a .46-powered Great Planes Big Stick ARF which he uses to rip up the sky. He is flying solo and at times is showing others how to fly! He worked all summer and was able to buy & build a U-Can-Do 3D 60 sized aerobatic airplane with a 90 4-stroke, so watch out now! No doubt he will soon be one of the better R/C pilots in Mid-Mo. His mother reports that he often flies his airplanes in a park in Tipton where some of the Mennonites love to watch him fly. Before long he will probably be flying Remotely Piloted Jets for the USAF, but that may prove to be too boring for him! 

Here is Kent Imhoff of Jefferson City. He restored a Tower Trainer 60 to flying condition, even had to strip down the engine to get it working properly! He did a great job and for his efforts he now has a great flying airplane. Additionally, Kent was able to learn how to take-off, fly and made his first landing all on his first day of training!! He is now flying solo and is flying a Hangar 9 Super Stick that sounds really good and flies great! He's also working on other airplane kits & is really good with fixing up engines. Kent has also served as JCRC's Club Secretary.

Here is a photo of Gordon McEntire and his brand new Goldberg Eagle trainer. This is the ARF version, he has completed the finishing touches and it flies great! Gordon has made the jump up to a very nice Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 40 with a 72-sized four-stroke engine.

JCRC member Jim Branson is shown here with his Thunder Tiger Trainer 60 which flew for the first time on September 30, 2004. 

This is Abe Hatfield and his Hanger 9 Alpha trainer. Abe was  having a great time flying and at times both of his parents come out to the field to watch him fly! 

This is Lanny Holt with his Hanger 9 Easy Start with an FMA Co-Pilot mounted on the top. He has used a computer simulator program to help progress very rapidly towards flying solo.

This is Kenny Marshall, a wonderful guy and Police Officer from the City of California, Missouri. He's flying his Hangar 9 Easy 2 Trainer solo and now owns a few airplanes. We miss seeing him at JCRC, but occasionally run into him at area events.

This is Ben Schellman with his Thunder Tiger Trainer. Ben flies full-scale planes, in fact, Ben is now a full-scale Flight Instructor and we're sure he's one of the best. He went to school in Warrensburg and is now employed by them. He is often accompanied by his very lovely girlfriend, Mallory Kimball. 

Here is a photo of Jerry & Anthony Hoose with their Goldberg Eagle II. Anthony was flying by himself now, Jerry is justifiably proud!

Michael Ferguson smiles from ear-to-ear every time he flies and it is fun to watch him fly his trainer. We were lucky to have him join us! Rumor has it that his Bar-B-Que is simply unforgettable!

Here is Bill Haarmann & Vernon Davis with their second brand-new trainer, a Hobbico Superstar. Bill is learning to fly to be able to show Vernon how to fly, both are progressing greatly and both are great guys to be around.