Foam planes are light as air
Foam planes are light as air
BROOKFIELD
It wasn’t that long ago that when a remote-controlled plane was started, the whole neighborhood knew you were flying your model — usually made of balsa wood with a high-octane, noisy engine.
But, like all technology, flying RC planes and helicopters has changed.
Today’s planes are made of EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam, are almost lighter than air, and fly with electric motors and rechargeable batteries. Unlike their balsa brothers, when they crash, some hot glue and foam has them shipshape in a few minutes.
The planes have become very popular with both the enthusiast and the beginner because they are easier to fly and assemble, and literally can fly almost anywhere.
In fact, many of the “fly-ins” now take place indoors and include acrobatic events, races and even some obstacle events.
The lightness and the ability to fly in either direction make the designs interesting and much easier to adjust.
Luke and Sue Simion of Luke’s RC planes in Brookfield have carved out their own niche with the new aircraft and travel to numerous shows and fly-ins to supply participants with just about anything that may be needed.
Luke saw the transformation from balsa to foam more than eight years ago and has never looked back. His store is a mecca for just about any type of part for the enthusiast.
With his wife at the counter, Luke enjoys flying the RC models because they are quiet, being all electric. They purr like a hummingbird and, with the funky aerodynamics, are easier to fly and to do tricks.
If they do crash, you hope for tall grass to minimize the damage.
RC planes can now transform almost anyone into a “Top Gun” pilot.