Fun Fly to benefit Toys for Tots

Published 10:35 pm Monday, October 27, 2014

David Hayes prepares his airplane for a candy drop at last year’s Fun Fly held by the Hampton Roads Radio Control Club. The annual event raises money and toys for Tots for Tots and offers fun for children — the candy drop, especially — and adults alike.

David Hayes prepares his airplane for a candy drop at last year’s Fun Fly held by the Hampton Roads Radio Control Club. The annual event raises money and toys for Tots for Tots and offers fun for children — the candy drop, especially — and adults alike.

The Hampton Roads Radio Control Club will have its eighth annual fun fly benefiting Toys for Tots this Saturday.

Club members and other enthusiasts will be on hand with all colors, shapes and sizes of radio-controlled airplanes. Some real, honest-to-goodness airplanes also will take part in the event, weather permitting.

“We generally have over a hundred RC airplanes,” said Mills Staylor, president of the club. “It’s all weather-related. If it’s clear, we should have a good day.”

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Inexperienced folks who want to try out one of the airplanes will be able to do so with the “buddy box,” which allows an experienced flier to maintain emergency control over the aircraft.

A yellow-and-blue Stearman biplane will make an appearance, as well Sarah “Smash” Tobin with an aerobatic plane. She’ll show off her moves over the landing field, Staylor said.

Skydive Suffolk also will drop in around lunchtime, around which time the check will also be presented, Staylor said.

A candy drop for the kids also will take place.

The “landing fee” is a $10 donation or a new, unwrapped toy. Staylor said about $5,000 and four boxes of toys were donated last year.

“One hundred percent of all proceeds go to Toys for Tots,” Staylor said.

The event starts at 8 a.m., with a pilots’ meeting set for 8:30. It generally goes until after noon, Staylor said.

The event will take place at the club’s field off Pembroke Lane near Lone Star Lakes Park.

Visit www.hamptonroadsrc.com for more information about the event or the club.