LONDONDERRY — A model plane with black-and-white checkerboard wings flew through the silver-gray sky over Auburn Road yesterday, traveling 50 to 60 mph.
On the ground, Joe Robertson of Derry tickled the remote control radio set, and then the sport plane rolled right-side up and headed for the clouds.
Yesterday's demonstration of model planes at the Flying Tigers' new airfield was a harbinger of the fun to come when the club officially opens the field next month on a 300-foot strip behind Gate 9 at the former landfill, now a Superfund site.
The airfield sits on property owned by Londonderry. Club members leveled an area for runways and model plane flying after receiving permission to use the space last year, club President Rich Bono of Derry said. The permission was the result of three years' negotiations with the state Department of Environmental Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Flying Tigers plan to continue to fly at the B Street airfield in Derry, its airfield for 30 years. That's larger than the Auburn Road airfield, but the club doesn't own the Derry property, Bono said. The Flying Tigers wanted the Londonderry airfield in case it ever loses the Derry site.
The new airfield is about 300 feet long and 60 feet wide. The old runway is 600 feet long.
The club paid about $2,000 to grade and loam the Auburn Road airfield, plus some materials and services, which were donated. Steve Brian of Bedford said the Flying Tigers have a three-year renewable agreement with the town to use the space at no charge, but with some restrictions. The site is gated, for example, and there are certain areas which cannot be accessed.
Brian said model plane airfields differ, but basic requirements are set by the American Modelers Association, which insures the clubs.
"Every field's a little bit different," he said. "But we try not to fly over homes, buildings or streets."
Bono said the public is welcome to watch the flying at the B Street site, but people should call ahead if they want to drop by the new airfield.
"I never know whether to call this a hobby or a sport," Bono said. "It's a little bit of both."
Meanwhile, on a parallel strip of runway, Brian readied his replica Stearman biplane for takeoff, checking the throttle and the pilot's seat belt before taxiing down the field.
Up 200 feet, the actual size of the aircraft was hard to grasp, but the replica plane's wingspan measures about 72 inches, he said. The Stearman soared under Robertson's smaller plane, the illusion of space making both planes look about the same size.
Brian said model plane pilots all love flying and building engines. More important, their sport provides a way to bridge the gap between generations, Robertson said.
Brian grew up in California and said his father took him out to the salt flats to fly. Robertson started flying model planes when he was about 6 in Lawrence, Mass. The club's 60 members include families with mothers, fathers and children all flying together. Commercial airline and Air Force pilots also are among its members.
"These are real planes," Bono said. "They're just small."
Bono said the club will train people who want to learn model plane flying. He recommends lessons because most remote control planes, which cost $350 to $400, will "last about 30 seconds" in the air, with an inexperienced hand on the controls.
Typical mistakes include running out of fuel and thinking the plane is right-side up when it's upside down. That matters for navigation because the controls work differently when the plane is upside down, Bono said.
Join the crowd
What: Grand opening of the Flying Tigers' Auburn Road flying field
When: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23
Where: Auburn Road (site of the former landfill)
Information: www.newhampshireflyingtigers.org
