Washington
Township's Annual "Come Fly with Me" radio controlled airplane
event, on Saturday, August 6th, was blessed with wonderful weather
for flying and a friendly reception from the more than 200 participants
and spectators.
The event was sponsored and run by Ground Controlled
Air (GCA), a local club that operates out of Mansfield. The
detailed planning of GCA President Bob Vasquez and GCA Vice-President
Andy Amante resulted in a successful event. The day started
with the singing of the National Anthem by Washington Township
Teen Idol talent winner Zoe Durst. GCA provided flight simulators
for pilots in-training, and after qualification, pilots in-training
received a pass to fly a plane down at GCA's airfield. GCA members
also provided 75 Delta Dart model air planes and assisted in
their construction. Generally construction required 45 minutes
to build. One GCA member remarked, "Part of the charm of flying
these planes is the work that goes into building them". 
A number of other local organizations also
participated in the events of the day. "The Garden State Circle
Burners", a New Jersey u-control airplane club wowed the crowd
with demonstrations, and later allowed the kids and parents
a chance to fly their planes. 4H Club representatives assisted
kids with building of rocket kits, and then the builders thrilled
the crowd with exciting launches and precise landings. This
unique event offered kids and their parents an opportunity not
only to see these planes in flight, including a helicopter demo,
but also a chance to fly the planes with the experts.
Washington Township Parks and Recreation would
like to thank Ground Controlled Air for sponsoring a great day
and anticipate working together on future projects and events.
