Aviation enthusiasts turn dreams of flight into reality

Published Feb. 28, 2012
By Jet Fabara
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- For those with dreams of flying at Edwards, the path is often difficult and demanding, even for the best test pilot. With the help of aviation enthusiasts from the Muroc Model Masters club those dreams become reality through the use of remote controlled airplanes.

Although the flying is accomplished on a much smaller scale, club members say that the thrill and technical skill needed to fly these RC planes mimic what most unmanned aerial vehicle pilots encounter when flying in a tower pattern and landing on a dry lake bed at Edwards.

"I've flown models and full size aircraft almost all of my life. I retired from the U.S. Navy where I flew [Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft] for 25 of my 28 years of service, but I've also enjoyed every second of flying RC airplanes since 1959," said Ronald Scaggs, C-130 Integrated Test Team project manager and MMM club president. "The value of being a part of the MMM is not only about what you as a club member get out of it, but the opportunity you get to help young minds develop a basic understanding of aerodynamics and the disciplines associated with the responsible operation of aircraft."

For members like Master Sgt. Anthony Accurso, 412th Maintenance Squadron NCO in charge of Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight and MMM safety coordinator, who's been flying RC airplanes for more than 30 years, he sees his involvement in the club not only as an opportunity to broaden others interest in aviation, but his daughter's interest as well. Every opportunity, weather permitting, you can find them flying on the north end of the Rosamond Dry Lake Bed.

"I enjoy flying and teaching because it gives people an understanding of how an airplane flies and stimulates ideas in designing aircraft and modifying existing designs," said Accurso. "The hobby has and continues to inspire future generations. For example, this hobby led me to pursue a 24-year Air Force career and coincidentally led my daughter Evelyn to start flying RC aircraft at the age of 9 which propelled her to eventually log time flying real sailplanes in Tehachapi."

Although having fun is encouraged, the club emphasizes the importance of safety as well.

"The Air Force has very specific requirements to legally go out to the lake bed," Scaggs said. "Our members get briefed as to what they can and cannot do, and their club card assures that they have the liability insurance. You will seldom, if ever, see one member out there by themselves, [because] even small propellers can bite you."

For those newcomers or experts, the club holds meetings every second Tuesday of each month in order to inform those who want to inquire about the club, the sport and those who are eventually looking to join.

"The big thing is first learning how everything works together," said Tech. Sgt. Antwain Mallory, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron NCOIC of F-35 AGE and MMM club member. "As long as you have a basic understanding of aviation you should be alright, but for those who don't there are a lot of people in the club that are always willing to help out."

For MMM club members like Staff Sgt. Aaron Blaker, 412th Flight Test Squadron communication systems operator, and Oriole Jones, California City resident, they viewed the club as something they could both participate in during the weekends.

"We just got started in this sport," said Jones. "One weekend we were looking for a hobby to get into and, lo and behold, we came upon the club and have been coming out every chance we get."

According to Scaggs, in addition to providing instruction on RC flying, as part of the club's outreach, the MMM provides an outlet and educational opportunity for the Airmen and their dependents living at Edwards to start or to continue enjoying model aviation. The club also works with Edwards Youth Services, Kern County Youth Services, assists with the Summer Science Camp rocket launches, provides static displays at the Youth Center, and teaches Science Camp youth, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Young Marines, Civil Air Patrol cadets and others how to fly through the use of a buddy box at the dry lake bed.

"Spending time with folks who have a similar passion for aviation and supporting one another is one of the many things this club is about," said Accurso. "We have big and little kids in this club and we always have fun."

In addition to this outreach, Scaggs said the club provides local citizens the opportunity to interface with the base's Airmen and their dependents, while simultaneously providing the base community the chance to interface with local citizens who have like interests. For example, Scott Mead, a club member and resident of the Antelope Valley who has been coming out to the Rosamond Dry Lake Bed since he was 7.

"My dad had model airplanes hanging around the house since I was kid and I've been lucky enough to be able to fly out here for 39 years," said Mead.

As for the organization's history, the group has been around since World War II, moved to the north edge of the lake bed in 1962 and changed the club name to Muroc Model Masters in 1983. The private organization was established in 1984.

The Muroc Model Masters is an organization for the dissemination and enjoyment of the hobby and sport of model aircraft fabrication and operation. The MMM is a chartered Academy of Model Aeronautics chapter and operates under the safety regulations and insurance of the AMA. The MMM operates as a private organization on Edwards, under Air Force Instruction 34-223.

For more information, contact Ron Scaggs at (661) 256-4167, Jerry Rice at (661) 943-4818 or visit the Muroc Model Masters website at www.murocmodelmasters.org.