By Jack G.
Saturday, February 1, 2020 saw the men’s breakfast gathering at an unusual location: The Orange County Modeler’s Association (OCMA) flying field just East of Irvine Lake, about a mile off of Santiago Canyon Road (in the sticks). OCMA is a consortium of local radio control model airplane clubs that leases the field from the County of Orange. In the radio control hobby, one controls his/her airplane from the ground via a transmitter tuned to a particular airplane. All control features common to a full-size airplane are available to the hobbyist via the transmitter.
The gathering at this unusual location was due to a breakfast that Ed and I enjoyed a couple of months ago. As we were leaving the restaurant, I showed Ed the model airplane I was taking out to the field to fly. Ed was amazed at the size of the plane (89 inch wing span, 17 pounds) and that I flew such a thing. Immediately Ed seized on the idea of what a great experience it would be to hold one of the men’s breakfast gatherings at the field to watch me and others fly.
While I was concerned about the iffy weather that we might experience in February, luck (God?) would have it that it was one of “one-those-days” we in the model airplane hobby wish for; low wind speed, perfect, clear blue sky, and warm but not too hot. Chuck and Ed arrived at about 8:30 a.m. to set up the coffee and bagels, with others arriving at 9:00 and after. Of course, most of the gathered eleven men were completely unaware of the radio control hobby or at least not aware of the things possible with modern technology.
There were probably about 25 others flying a wide assortment of airplanes. From the excitement and the questions asked, it turned out to be an even more positive experience than either Ed or I expected. There were several other models there similar to mine as well as jets, scale models, and sport types and all levels of flying skills. Set in a canyon with a large flat area and large hills in the background and abutting wilderness, the beauty of the site was not lost on the men.
Of course, with this being a new experience to most, there were many questions. Among the most asked are:
How far away can you still control the airplane? Answer: As far as you can see it and after that it doesn’t matter.
How much does it cost? Answer: How much have you got?
How did you get such beautiful field? Answer: Careful planning, good dedicated leadership, and lots of luck.
To show how new this experience was to the gathering, they even clapped for my flying and landings. If only they knew. I love them all.
Everybody enjoyed themselves, but the greatest takeaway was that a group of Christian men could share such a positive fellowship experience in a secular setting. I understand that many men don’t often have the opportunity to enjoy the Christian fellowship that we all shared. It was a treat for me to help provide such an opportunity. Thank you, Spectrum men, for making my day. I had a blast!