JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
May 18 - 20, the weekend of the 2012 Joint Service Open House and Air Show at Joint Base Andrews, is slated to be sunny, breezy and rain-free. While a majority of displays for this year's air show are outdoors on the Joint Base Andrews flightline, anyone looking to take a break indoors is encouraged to visit Hangar 3 and stop by Radio Active Airshows' (RAA) booth. RAA travels the east coast, giving all of its visitors the opportunity to learn about radio-controlled aircraft and experience flight simulation first-hand.
The 2012 JSOH and Air Show affords the public an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Armed Forces and to see military equipment through the efforts of active-duty, Guard and Reserve service members, as well as civilian employees, retirees and family members. All JSOH attendees, whether they are a performer, volunteer or JSOH visitor, are encouraged to visit RAA's booth and check out the radio-controlled aircraft shows and flight simulators offered.
"Anyone wanting to cool off for a bit during the air show should come by and check us out," said Michael Farlow, RAA employee and extreme radio-controlled aircraft enthusiast. "Guests should also check out our flight simulator. It's free of charge and is the closest thing air show visitors can get to actually flying."
Visitors to RAA's booth are also able to watch RAA employees fly their remote-operated aircraft around the inside of Hangar 3. However, they are not allowed to fly the aircraft themselves.
"It's pretty amazing," said Farlow. "We can simulate almost anything on our radio-controlled aircraft that the aerial acrobat outside can do."
Controlled by lithium batteries and an intricate system of wires, connectors and electric cables, RAA's radio-controlled aircraft are able to fly to heights of more than 200 feet, spin around 360 degrees and even hover in midair. Displays for this weekend include several of these radio-operated foam models and even some of RAA's novelty-act aircraft, such as their flying Snoopy house and surfing man.
Additionally, any air show guest who stops by the radio-controlled aircraft booth is encouraged to sign up on RAA's mailing list. Several radio-controlled aircraft, donated to the 2012 JSOH and Air Show by Horizon Hobby Incorporated, will be given away to persons randomly chosen from the mailing list throughout the air show. Most donated give-a-ways are valued at over $150 each.
"We love coming to air shows like the one at Andrews," said Jeff Phillips, RAA team manager. "It's a great opportunity for us to showcase the awesome technology involved in these aircraft. Here, we're able to showcase the world of model aviation and tell all our visitors that flying radio-controlled aircraft is a fun and entertaining hobby."
For more information on RAA's radio-controlled aircraft, visit flyradioactive.com. For more information on the aircraft themselves, visit horizonhobby.com.