SLRCFA’s Youth Outreach Program was developed last year as part of our club’s new Mission and Goals to bring new people into the hobby and our club.  George Biderman volunteered to spearhead this effort and to recruit other club members to assist when opportunities were developed.

In January, George, Kerry Eisenbach, and Geoff Biderman responded to a local Civil Air Cadets Education Officer’s request to show his cadets how to fly R/C Airplanes and to `talk about what R/C flying means to experienced flyers.  Additionally, the Cadets wanted to hear firsthand about our local club and our resources available to them.

The cadets hold their meetings at the Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton (just off I-44) and its huge, basketball court sized atrium offered a perfect place to fly some of the same foamies that Kerry, Geoff and George fly in the gym in Eureka on Friday evenings.

Kerry and Geoff brought an amazing variety of models to generate interest in our hobby ranging from 35” foamies, to some crowd pleasers like Kerry’s Superman and Flintstone flyers, and even Geoff’s big 50cc gas model airplane.  George brought an Apprentice and urged the cadets to come to our field on Saturdays this spring for some free flying lessons.  The Education Officer said he’d for sure bring the cadets.  Later that evening we received the following email:

Mr. Biderman,

Thank you so much for the R/C flight display tonight!  The Cadets were very impressed with it. Several of the Cadets are now VERY interested in joining you all for some R/C flights.  I very much appreciate the time and effort you all showed the Cadets tonight.  The variety of planes was impressive.  I have attached a few photos from tonight.  Again, thank you!

Respectfully,

2d Lt Benjamin Weaver

Assistant Director of Aerospace Education, Missouri Wing, CAP

Aerospace Education Officer, River City Composite Squadron, CAP