Wings Across America 2008
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Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08) is a group of model airplane enthusiasts that are flying a battery powered Radio-controlled aircraft designated as a park flyer in all 48 contiguous United States with hopes to make all 50, if Alaska and Hawaii can be reached. A park flyer is a small RC plane typically flown in a field such as a local park or soccer field.
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[edit] History
Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08) was conceived by Frank Geisler of Gloucester, Virginia. Frank loves radio controlled flying, and volunteers much of his free time to it. Frank talked to his friends, and they immediately accepted the idea. All they required were RC pilots across the US from every state who were willing to fly the plane and then drive to the next pilot and hand it off by hand, 
which sets this project apart from others of its type. The plane will never be mailed or shipped
The routing of the plane is handled by Frank Geisler, who e-mails the pilots when they are scheduled to meet the previous pilot the plane and then fly it themselves.
Frank immediately went to some RC forums and emailed Academy of Model Aeronautics[1] chartered clubs in search of volunteers willing to help this project come through. In only 5 weeks, 230 pilots had joined, representing all 48 continental United States.
On May 24, 2008, Frank launched the first flight.
Upon completion of the adventure, the model airplane will have flown in all 50 United States and have flown over 22,000 miles. It will return home to its home field about 4 years after it made its maiden flight in eastern Virginia.
The electric powered RC airplane called a SQuiRT, has been flown in 29 states and next it will be in Arizona then California, Oregon, Washington, then onto Idaho, the upper Midwestern States, the Midwest and then down South returning back to the starting point in Eastern Virginaia and to Frank Geisler, who launched the initial flight on May 28, 2008.
The SQuiRT has traveled a total of 12,513 miles, (May 17, 2010), which is roughly half the expected distance around the United States. Current plans are to fly the SQuiRT in Alaska and Hawaii if proper arrangements can be made for the trip there and back. This truly is a Wings Across America Adventure.
WAA-08 Statistics (Current as of December 29, 2010)
15,772 miles traveled
386 pilots have flown the WAA-08 plane
152 AMA Chartered clubs visited
35 states visited
363 registered pilots
248 AMA Chartered clubs represented
29 registered pilots in California –the most; followed by NY with 22
1 registered pilot in Delaware and Vermont
14 degrees –Coldest temperature that the WAA-08 plane was flown: Steve C (#258) Ellensburg, WA
107 degrees –Hottest temperature that the WAA-08 plane was flown: Mike H (#127) Valley Mills, TX
8,500' – Highest altitude flown by the SQuiRT by pilots Rod B (180) & John C (180a) of Dillon, CO.
9,000+ emails sent in support of the WAA-08 adventure
3,700+ thread posts on the online RC Forums in support of the WAA-08 adventure
87,867 hits on our WAA-08 Google Maps page
12,794 hits on our WAA-08 website
118 pages of notes taken recording Frank Geisler's personal experiences and important events of the WAA-08 adventure
Major Events Attended:
Western States Electric Fun Fly (WSEFF) 4–6 June 2010
Dallas Electric Aircraft Fliers (DEAF 23) 27–28 September 2009
Southeast Electric Flight Festival (SEFF) 1–3 May 2009
Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) 12–14 September 2008
The Oldest & Youngest Pilots:
Youngest Female: Nicole Hansen 8
Youngest Male: Evan Holman 6
Oldest Female: Carol Bershers 68 (yes, we asked and it was OK)
Oldest Male: Frank Johnson: 93
Club with the most WAA-08 Pilots:
Hawks R/C Junior Aviators
News Coverage:
19 Online news stories
18 Local papers
6 nationally publicized magazines have run articles on the WAA-08 adventure
2 Local television news broadcasts
1 Local radio show
1 Weekly RC Podcast that provides WAA-08 updates
Forum Members:
146 on RC Groups
39 on WattFlyer
2 on RC Universe
Plane Statistics:
Plane: Simple Quiet Robust Trainer (SQuiRT)
Wingspan: 38"
Motor: GWS sp400 (1st one replaced after 215 flights)
ESC: Spectrum 18 Amp from Medusa Research
Batteries: MaxAmps 1100 mAH 7.4V 25C LiPos
Props: GWS 7x3.5
Receiver: Spektrum AR6100e
Servos: 2 Ea Hitec HS-55
Radio: Spektrum DX6i
Battery Charger: DBC-14 from Common Sense RC
AUW: 16 ounces
Built from: Balsa and vinyl covering
Manufacturer: Stevens AeroModel
Year Built: 2008
Sponsors:
Stevens AeroModel
Horizon Hobbies
Redneck RC
SuperFly RC (Tram)
Big Al's Hobby Supply
RC Pro Racing
MaxAmps
Hobby Hangar
Castle Creations
Grumpy Monkey Designs
E Cubed R/C
FliteLine Hobbies
R/C FlightCast
Vinyl For RC
Medusa Research Inc.
Nico Hobbies
Al’s Bicycles and Hobbies
Steve Cranford (WAA-08.org Domain creator)
Desert Eagles Model Airplane Flying Club
[edit] Major Events Attended
"Doolittle Raid" Memorial Celebration'' the SQuiRT pays tribute, Columbia, SC.[2]
Flown by "Wings Across America 2008 (WAA-08)" pilot Jerry Branch on 3/12/2009.
''Dallas Electric Aircraft Fliers (DEAF 23)'' September 27–28, 2009 Dallas, Texas
Southeast Electric Flight Festival (SEFF) May 1–3, 2009 Andersonville, Georgia
Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) September 12–14, 2008 Downsville, New York
Western States Electric Fly June 11, 2010
About AMA
Founded in 1936, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is the world's largest sport aviation organization, representing a membership of more than 150,000 for the purpose of promotion, development, education, advancement, and safeguarding of modeling activities.
AMA is the voice of its membership, providing liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Communications Commission and other government agencies. AMA also works with local governments, zoning boards, and parks departments to promote the interests of local chartered clubs.
AMA seeks to introduce young men and women to the art and craft of aeromodeling. Through an active educational outreach program, AMA supports teachers and community-based organizations who wish to infuse topics in math, science, and technology with aviation activities.
For more information visit AMA www.modelaircraft.org or call 800-435-9262.
[edit] Online Web Pages that published articles on the WAA-08 Wings Across America adventure
Aero News [3]
EAA Young Eagles [4]
Derry News (Pilot #45)[5]
The Valley News (Pilot #64) [6]
The Jackson Herald (Pilot #84) [7]
WLTX.com (Pilot #92) [8]
The Joplin Globe (Pilot #144) [9]
Mt. Shasta News (Pilot #244) [10]
Woodburn Independent""" (Pilot #248) [11]
The Outlook (Pilot #250) [12]
The News Tribune (Pilot #259/260) [13]
Tri-City Herald (Pilot #259/260) [14]
[edit] Published Articles
Jackson Herald newspaper, Ripley,WV December 30, 2008 [7]
Columbia WLTX TV & newspaper, Columbia, SC March 12, 2009 [8]
Joplin Globe newspaper, Joplin,MO August 7, 2009 [15]
Backyard Flyer magazine, June 28, 2009 [16]
FlyRC" magazine July 2010 issue #80 [17]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.modelaircraft.org
- ^ http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspxstoryid=71434&catid=35?
- ^ http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?printable=1&ContentBlockID=82aa813f-aa0d-4c5e-99f6-d2061760d6cb
- ^ http://www.youngeagles.org/news/archive/2008%20-%2009_03%20-%20Wings%20Across%20America%20Flight.asp
- ^ http://www.derrynews.com/derry/x1232770151/RC-flier-takes-part-in-cross-country-adventure
- ^ http://www.valleynewsonline.com/viewnews.php?newsid=84100&id=6
- ^ a b http://www.jacksonnewspapers.com/news/x1277301892/-Wings-Across-America
- ^ a b http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=71434&catid=35
- ^ http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/x1896309336/Wings-Across-America-brings-cross-country-RC-event-to-Joplin?start%3Aint=0
- ^ http://www.mtshastanews.com/highlight/x290101325/McCloud-man-participates-in-radio-controlled-Wings-Across-America-flight
- ^ http://www.woodburnindependent.com/news/2010/December/12/Hometown/flying.rc.style/news.aspx
- ^ http://www.theoutlookonline.com/features/story.php?story_id=12931
- ^ http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/22/1512380/three-generations-take-part-in.html
- ^ http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/01/22/1336824/three-generations-take-part-in.html
- ^ http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_219204905.html?start:int=0
- ^ http://www.modelairplanenews.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=17F3E50B054A4C1C9FDD81B36E52B522&nm=Site+Features&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=A5AE507C02154E5CABE9DA19BA02D99D
- ^ http://www.flyrc.com
