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Miniature jets to take flight

Pat Auckerman/File photo A spectator watches as an F-100 radio controlled jet piloted by Bob Bush, comes in for a landing during the "Thunder in the Sky" radio controlled jet fly-in at Hook Field in Middletown.

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By Amanda Seitz, Staff Writer 3:02 PM Wednesday, July 21, 2010

MIDDLETOWN—Last weekend it was balloons — this weekend hundreds of airplanes will overtake the Middletown skies.

Air traffic control shouldn’t have too much trouble managing all these planes-they’ll be radio controlled, flying at the Thunder in the Sky RC Jet show will take place from Friday July 23 to Sunday July 25.

Approximately 150 airplanes that can fly as fast as 225 miles are expected to invade the Hook Field airspace, said airport manager Rich Bevis.

“I know some of them will go faster; by law they’re not allowed to go over 225,” Bevis said.

Many of the groups showing their planes this weekend travel from state to state and invest a lot of money in the hobby.

“Some have $25,000 invested in these airplanes,” Bevis said.

Bevis said that some planes will have a wingspan of 6 feet.

“They burn jet fuel, the sound like real airplanes,” he said.

In fact, some are so fascinated by the life-like miniatures that watching the jets often spark interest in the hobby.

“A lot of people when they see them, they want to get in the hobby then the next thing you know, they want to get into real airplanes,” Bevis said.

The airplanes will fly over a half-mile radius at Hook Field.

The event is open to the public and Bevis said there are stands and tents to watch, but viewers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Thunder in the Sky has hit Middletown Airport for three years and Bevis said it has encouraged people to see the airport facilities.

“Everyone who comes down (to Thunder in the Sky) says ‘holy smokes,’” Bevis said. “It brings people to the airport and allows people to see what a nice airport Middletown has. We want to do something good for the people to come to and enjoy to be proud of.”

Contact this reporter at (513)

820

2192

aseitz

@coxohio.com.