Toledo Ohio, April 2, 2011
The audience begins to arrive
RcAerotowing.com staff presented two symposiums, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Attendance to the two talks totaled 62 interested parties, many of whom have never tried aerotowing. The presentations lasted well over the hour time slot allotted, however, because the room was not needed immediately, the guys were able to hang out and answer questions.
During the talk, Jim Dolly, director of first flight, took the attendees through the steps necessary to install a tow release mechanism in a tow plane ( trainer ) and an Easy Glider Pro sailplane. Accompanied by a slide presentation, the audience was then treated to a short video segment showing the Easy Glider Pro being towed.
Len Buffinton, co-founder of rcAerotowing.com explained some of the trials and tribulations of flying larger scale sailplanes. During the presentation, many features of the new website were explained and demonstrated to the group.
The sessions ended with an extensive question and answer segment that lasted another 40 minutes. ” We were not about to leave any questions unanswered” said Jim Dolly after the last visitor left, “we’re here to encourage the growth of this sport, and by golly we’re going to do that” he added.
Catching up with Len Buffinton on the trade show floor, he commented “This was a special weekend for us, to think that 60 people came to hear about getting started in aerotowing. That’s a good start. I’d call it a smashing success.”
And a good start it was. The plans are already made for next year. The rcAerotowing team has been enthusiastically invited back to give more presentations as well as occupy their own booth on the show floor.
Before leaving, I asked Dave Darr, what’s next? With a wink and a smile he said, “watch the website, there’s a TON of exciting news about to be announced.”
Pete Johnas
