Planning one last take off
One of the 150 competitors getting ready to complete one of the 17 maneuvers within a routine for the stunt competition.
John Brodak stands next to his year long project the Little Tony, which he flies in competitions.
One of the control-line model airplanes soaring 40 feet above the ground during an expert stunt competition.
CARMICHAELS – It only takes spending a minute with John Brodak at his control-line model airplane competition, the Brodak Fly-In, to realize this man is well-known.
As he drives a golf cart around large circles of caution tape, marking areas where men and women of all ages compete with model airplanes, everyone he passes throws out a smile, hello or wave.
“This is my family,” Brodak, head and creator of the Brodak Fly-In in Carmichaels, said as he shook hands with a man who traveled from Illinois for the competition.
The acclaimed event held its 19th control-line airplane competition Monday through today with more than 300 competitors and attendees.
What began as a hobby in 1952 became a movement within the control-line model airplane community.
“We have people come from all over. We have people this year from South Korea,” Brodak said proudly as he watched a friend stick a rough landing.
“You see those hops that happened? That’s three points off since it hopped three times,” he said.
As the planes fly in a circle with two lines connecting them to a handle the competitors are holding, it looks pretty easy.
How hard can it be to fly a plane in a circle?
Then, the plane lifts 40 feet off the ground and completes a series of loops and spins and ends with flying upside down.
These moves are orchestrated by a competitor who controls the plane with a move of the wrist or finger.
“It takes a lot more than people think,” Brodak said. “But once you get the basics down, it’s a lot of fun.”
Brodak was interested in control-line airplanes before commercial remote control aircraft was invented.
He said before those days, control-line was very popular, but eventually lost its following. His goal with this competition was to get its popularity back.
“I think I’ve succeeded,” Brodak said as he watched 14-year-old Samantha Heins, junior national champion, drive up to him in a golf cart.
For Brodak, seeing young people like Heins interested in the craft gives him hope his passion will carry on.
“Look around, you can see the generation that this is popular with,” Brodak said, motioning toward members of the crowd, most from an older generation. “But then we have (Heins).”
The young girl smiled as Brodak bragged about her flying capabilities and her future in the sport.
She said even though she went to multiple competitions, the Brodak Fly-In is always her favorite.
“It’s just a different atmosphere here. It’s less of a competition, as it is more of a big get together with friends,” Heins said.
“I have so many older friends now that are more like father or grandfather figures to me.”
Most people who attend the event agree.
With every stop Brodak makes, people come and thank him for the annual opportunity to get together with friends throughout the world and enjoy a shared passion.
“What I’ve learned is that most people are good people, no matter where they come from,” Brodak said.
“I have family everywhere in the world.”
This year, Brodak added a free buffet to anyone participating in the event.
He said it gives people a chance to take a break from the flying and fixing planes.
“I think that is why people continue to come out here,” Brodak said. “Not for the competition, but for the people and, boy, am I going to miss it.”
Next year will not only mark the 20th competition, but also the last.
Brodak expects a significant turnout.
“I’m just getting too old,” Brodak said, the only time he didn’t showcase a smile throughout the day. “It’s time.”
Although this is sad news for all who attend the competition annually, they are looking forward to the final competition next year.
Brodak knows as soon as this year’s competition ends, he, along with dozens of volunteers, start planning for next year.
“We are going to end it with a bang,” Brodak said. “With these people here I know it will end the way it should.”