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Cleared For Takeoff

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

RIVERVIEW - RIVERVIEW - More than 100 aircraft representing several decades in the history of aviation recently took flight in Riverview.

While the planes dazzled onlookers with colorful displays of aerial acrobatics, their pilots' feet remained firmly on the ground.

On June 21 and 22, the Riverview-based Triple Creek Remote Control Flying club hosted its first 3D Fly-in at the organization's headquarters, 12705 Balm-Boyette Road.

More than 500 people attended the two-day event, including more than 50 fliers from across Florida and out of state.

"I think it's fair to say we're going to have some of the best fliers in the country for this event," said Jeff Wortner, club president, during the first day.

Triple Creek, Team Extreme and the Florida Freestyle Aerobatics Association - which has about 50 members throughout the state - organized the event.

"One of our members is also a member of Triple Creek and suggested that we do something together," said Rennie Ladines, who co-founded the FFAA with Donnie Bryans less than a year ago. Ladines is known by his peers as the "Flyin' Hawaiian."

This is the second fly-in the FFAA has organized this year. The first was in Jacksonville Feb. 28 and 29 and March 1.

Triple Creek is in its second year of operation and has about 150 members. A member was added to the roster during the fly-in.

Richard Hutton, 84, was an accomplished remote-control pilot 15 years ago, and now he's Triple Creek's newest member.

"In the last 15 years, I've had a few heart attacks, strokes, and I found out I have diabetes," said Hutton, who lives in Ruskin and has six model airplanes. "I feel like I've got all that stuff beat now, so I thought I'd give the club a try."

Wortner said Triple Creek was established a year and a half ago after the closing of two remote-control flying clubs in the area - the Brandon Model Flyers and the Valkyries, who had their headquarters near the Hillsborough-Manatee County line.

Wortner, who lives in Apollo Beach, was a member of the Valkyries and first became interested in the hobby six years ago.

"Triple Creek got just about half of its people from the Brandon Model Flyers and half from our club," Wortner said. "Neither club could really afford to absorb the other, so we decided the best thing to do would be to start a brand new club and meet halfway."

The club meets the first Saturday monthly, but members can come out to the 10-acre Riverview field to practice any time.

The practice field used to be a dairy farm, and Wortner credits Goodson Farms for helping transform the location into a suitable flying arena.

Anyone interested in watching club members hone their flight techniques is also welcome.

"The best time to catch our club members is during the weekend between 8 a.m. and noon, before it gets too hot," Wortner said.

The majority of those pilots showed off their skills during the fly-in.

In addition to freestyle flying between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. each day, the event featured contests and exhibitions.

"It's a great club. and it has some great people," said Rusty Lisk, a former club member who had to withdraw because of back surgeries. "I can't stand for extended periods of time, but I love watching everybody show what they can do."

Proceeds from drawings and pilots' registration fees benefited the flying club, as well as Boy Scout Troop 661, based in Ruskin and Apollo Beach.

Wortner said about $500 was raised for the Boy Scouts, and the club raised nearly $2,000.

Wortner is happy with the club's first fly-in and hopes to duplicate that success with similar events in the future.

"Right now, we're pretty much where we want to be as a club," Wortner said.

"Most people that get into this have a passion for flight and, if they try this once, they'll be doing it for the rest of their lives."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or

JOIN THE CLUB

For information about the Triple Creek RC club, go to its Web site, www.triplecreekrc.com. There is a club meeting and swap on the first Saturday of the month.

jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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