UP, UP AND AWAY: Colt students wowed by model-flyer demonstration
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MARBLE FALLS — If applause is any indication, students at Colt Elementary School had a blast Tuesday.
Members of the Highland Lakes Flyers brought more than a dozen remote-controlled airplanes to the school for a morning demonstration as part of the school’s science-themed Flight Week.
Students watched in awe and excitement as the planes — which were powered by electric motors — dipped and zoomed over a playground.
PHOTO 1: Colt Elementary School students get a hands-on look at a radio-controlled airplane during a demonstration at the school Tuesday. The event was part of the weeklong Flight Week, which includes a presentation from a former NASA engineer, a balloon release and more. Staff photos by Chris Porter
PHOTO 2: Highland Lakes Flyers member Ed Bullock prepares a model airplane for takeoff during a flight demonstration at Colt Elementary School in Marble Falls Tuesday. Hundreds of students lined up to watch the planes swoop across the school’s playground as part of Flight Week.
PHOTO 3: Highland Lakes Flyers member Ed Bullock takes the controls of an electric-powered model airplane during a flight demonstration at Colt Elementary School in Marble Falls Tuesday. Students were able to learn about the hobby, the speed of the planes and how to get started. The demonstration was part of Flight Week.
PHOTO 4: Colt Elementary School students gaze skyward as a pair of model airplanes twist and turn during a demonstration from the Highland Lakes Flyers Tuesday. The aerial exhibition was part of the Marble Falls’ school’s science-centered Flight Week.
"It’s been wonderful," Highland Lakes Flyers President Mike McDougall said. "The kids have been very enthusiastic. I think they’re having a good time."
The Flyers practice their piloting skills nearly every day at Hank Nilson field off RR 2545, a scaled-down airfield near Kingsland built specifically for model planes.
McDougall said the Flyers frequently give demonstrations for young aviation enthusiasts.
"We’ve got such good questions from the students today, a lot of them are going to be engineers and scientists, I can tell," he said. "It’s very important that they see something like this when they’re young and give them an opportunity to experience this. You can watch it, or you can come out and fly."
Tuesday’s demonstration was part of a weeklong event planned by school administrators to let students learn more about aviation.
Other events include a balloon release Wednesday afternoon, and a presentation by former NASA engineer and Bertram resident Jerry Bostick.
Organizers also have planned a hot-air balloon demonstration Friday, leading into the school’s science night 6-8 p.m. at the campus, 2200 The Manzano Mile.