Ed Rae Fun Fly

This year’s Ed Rae event was postponed from Saturday to Sunday because the forecast was calling for calmer winds on Sunday than Saturday. 

The day started out as a beautiful day, light winds and kind of cool. The mozzies were out in force! As the morning progressed, the temperature became more June-like and the wind picked up (good old mother nature pulled the patented switcher-roo on us!) One good thing about the wind it kept the mozzies away (I hates them!) 

By the time the 9:00 morning brief happened we had 25 registered pilot’s and a fair number just out to enjoy the nice warm weather and pleasant day. The wind kept up, but wasn’t terrible and not too many had any trouble with it since it remained, for the most part, down the runway from the east. 

There were generally at least 2 -3 planes in the air most of the time. And I noted that even when there wasn’t a lot of flying, everyone was enjoying the weather and having a great social gathering. 

It was an unseasonably cool and blustery morning, although a much better upgrade from the weather a week before. As I arrived at the field with my cup of Timmie’s in hand, I saw our stalwart, ever-present president already at our field and getting things set up.

As we discussed the sub-optimal weather conditions, the wind was blowing steadily from the north, the sky was a solid grey, and the  temperature was around the 13° mark (REALLY glad I brought my Kenora dinner jacket and a windbreaker) and we were wondering what the attendance was going to be like.

As the morning progressed, the parking lot quickly filled up and at 9:00, Pierre led the pilot’s meeting, the usual rules as per MAAC and such. After that we held a brief memorial ceremony for our friends no longer with us, Sue MacDonald, Jim Denyer and Jason Hlaing. A quick word from Mike Lalonde about the spot landing contest and from yours truly and we were on our way. 

June 4th, 2023 - Ed Rae Memorial Fun Fly

The event was held on Sunday, June 4th, due to quite breezy conditions on Saturday.  We wish to thank the twenty-two pilots who registered plus guests and spectators who attended. In total, we had 40 people.

The event was held on Sunday, June 4th, due to quite breezy conditions on Saturday.  We wish to thank the twenty-two pilots who registered plus guests and spectators who attended. In total, we had 40 people.

Click on the links below to view photos from the event:

This year’s event catered to a special request from Mrs. Ann Brown, widowed wife of Jim Brown, a former Stetson member who passed away earlier this year. She spread some of Jim’s ashes on the runway, then gave an emotional eulogy, which described Jim’s passion for RC Modeling. All who were present could relate to Jim’s feelings about the hobby and the relationships he enjoyed with this great community. After a moment of silence to reflect on the dearly departed, the club offered Ann a bouquet of flowers as a memento for this day.

June 4-5, 2022 was the annual Stetson Ed Rae memorial Fun Fly Event!

After a fine but breezy day for Saturday, Sunday was significantly better!

This weekend (4-5 June) was the Ed Rae Memorial Fun Fly, our first major event since 2019! Nineteen pilots defied the brisk winds and cool temperatures on Saturday and eleven more signed up on Sunday, when the weather was a bit more suitable for relaxed flying. Most people agreed that it was a great opportunity to socialize and get back together after two years of cancelled event. Many thanks to our cooks and food handlers, Debbie, Pauline, Alain and Jim, and to our ever hard working President Daniel. Enjoy the pictures!

Pierre Coulombe