The childlike wonder on the faces of old men was unmistakable and, at the same time, a serious outlet of stress management in the form of a fun science experiment.
Those men, mostly senior citizens, gathered with families and friends on Saturday on Decas Cranberry property at the edge of Mary’s Pond in Rochester to launch model aircraft during the John Nicolaci Memorial Float Fly held by the Bristol County Radio Control Club.
Their colorful array of radio-controlled seaplanes, flying boats and sport models varied in size, but against a brilliant blue sky geometric perspective was lost, and the planes took on an appearance rivaling a full-scale demonstration.
One pilot literally hurled his craft into the air, but the rest planted them at the edge of the water, and into a headwind they accelerated to a graceful departure. With their hand-held controls, the pilots alternated between conventional flight patterns and more daring maneuvers, including inverted aircraft, spinning or a steep climb to zero gravity.
Since age 15, Gary Carreiro has been involved with the Bristol County Radio Control Club, which at age 49, he serves as co-president. Carreiro estimates 40 club members, approximately 10 of which are active flyers. The club is part of a nationwide society of model-airplane pilots numbering 58,000.
“Obviously, there are rogue flyers,” said Carreiro.
Carlos Costa, the organization’s vice president, was on hand as well as Safety Officer Gerry Dupont.
Their event was not only a fun outing but honored the memory of John Nicolaci, an original member of the club whose Navy career involved working on the wing assembly of the Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boat during World War II. He passed away in 2009 but not before paving the way for the activities enjoyed by the club today.
According to Carreiro, Nicolaci once flew his own model plane from Martha’s Vineyard to New Bedford. His wife Ruth (Knowles) Nicolaci passed away on July 2, so Saturday’s event was extra special to the local flyers.
Though not a competition, the Float Fly was sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), which also functions as an insurance carrier for the club.
It takes several hundred dollars to start off in model-airplane flying. Models can be purchased for as little as $300 but go well upward in cost, especially as their owners customize them or adapt existing models to emulate historic aircraft.
Model flying lessons are available by appointment, said Carreiro. For more information, email the Bristol County Radio Control Club at info@bristolcountyrc.org.
By Mick Colageo