The Ultimate Indoor Flying Experience

Secure an indoor venue for model flying

By Joe Hass | Photos by Eric Pipenger and Fred Engelman

As seen in the Spring 2016 issue of Park Pilot.

One of the beauties of aeromodeling is the virtually unlimited types of activities that fall under the umbrella of model airplanes.

Flying indoors has long been relegated to FF (Free Flight), with rubber-powered and hand-launched gliders being the aircraft of choice. I do remember once flying an unmuffled, .15-size CL (Control Line) aircraft in a hangar at Willow Run Airport. The noise was deafening.

The exhaust created a foglike atmosphere with a ring of oil on the hangar floor and on the equipment. The whole idea of a warm place to fl y in the winter went “out the window” when the hangar door was opened to clear the air.

The advent of subminiature electronics—especially small motors and batteries—cracked the door for a different type of indoor fl ying: RC. But as the technology advanced, there were few venues available, except for local school gymnasiums.

Southeastern Michigan modelers have had a variety of inflated domes to fl y in throughout the years. Many were golf domes. The only possible flight hours were late at night, running until early in the morning. We did fly, but the hours were problematic.

Roughly 10 years ago, indoor soccer began to appear. The first facilities were inflated domes. Soon, hard-shell buildings appeared.

Approximately six years ago, I first saw a set of large, hard-shell buildings called Ultimate Soccer Arenas appear in Pontiac, Michigan. Above the door was a message, “We don’t play indoor soccer––we play soccer indoors.” I could never find the time to stop in to see what was inside.

Larry Parker made the first visit to the facility and was impressed enough to contact Jim Held. Jim contacted me and we visited. Wow! Inside were two full-size soccer fields (225 x 330 feet), with overrun areas and seating, plus a third smaller field. The ceilings were 75 feet high at their peak.

There was indoor plumbing (a fixture not found in a domed facility), a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a bar. A second level provided a viewing area. We recognized the opportunity but knew there were many obstacles. It was time to carpe diem (seize the day).

We met with the owners about the possibility of flying. Their first concern was based on the preconceived notion from their youth that all model airplanes had internal-combustion engines!

A demonstration was in order. I made arrangements for my son, Chris, to fly one of his ETOC-type (Electric Tournament of Champions) aircraft for the owners. We brought along some helicopters, too.

The owners had no idea that aeromodeling had progressed to such a level. The modelers were impressed with how large the facility was. The proof of concept for both the owners and modelers was a success.

Ultimate Soccer Arenas updated its street sign to welcome AMA.

The next question was whether the modeling community would participate. The owners offered a weekday evening at no charge to see what would happen. Through phone calls and email, we extended an invitation and got a crowd. We started with the AMA rules associated with a Park Pilot Program membership.

Now it was time to see what could be organized. So far, all of our flying was free, but what was the availability and what would it cost to rent a field? These facilities are booked from mid-afternoon until well into the early morning hours (sometimes until 2 a.m.) for adult indoor leagues. And the prime-time hourly cost was staggering.

This illustration gives you an idea of the layout of the indoor field.

We settled on a weekday with flying hours starting at 11 a.m. and continuing until 1 p.m., but there still was a major financial concern. Even with a lower hourly rate for non-prime-time use, the weekly rate was high compared with previous arrangements. Jim came up with the idea of a season pass—one fixed price for all of the flying sessions. It provided a great value to the participants and the financial footing to proceed.

When 20 pilots signed up, we had enough financial momentum to move ahead. I confess that even with that commitment, I was nervous. I shared my concerns with Ross Wegryn-Jones. What was his response? “If you build it, they will come.” And the modelers did come.

The modeling community supports local charities. In 2014, $1,200 was donated to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Fund. Pictured (from L) are Tom Korpela from Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Joe Hass, George Derderian from Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Maj. Johnson of the Salvation Army, and Fred Engelman, event director.

The relationship with Ultimate Soccer Arenas has progressed to the point that sport flying, 3D, micro, multirotor, and helicopter flying all take place at the same time on the same field. Sometimes there are more than 50 aircraft in the air at the same time.

Racing to the theme of Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is always fun because these aircraft fly at a fast walk.

Weekly FF sessions occur. Major Indoor FF contests are now annual events. Indoor electric CL is a reality. We have conducted ultra micro pylon races and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines races featuring Antoinettes and Demoiselles. There has been a mock Red Bull Race with pylons.

Major manufacturers have visited to conduct seminars and demonstrations. ETOC pilots have come to practice, although they were warned that the competition area at Ultimate Soccer Arenas was much smaller than their typical practice area. National Model Aviation Day programs and an AMA Town Hall meeting have also been held there.

You and your club can share the same success. Recognize the opportunity. Think outside of the box, and professionally. Be creative. Work with other local clubs and hobby retailers.

Flying indoors is a great change of pace. Give it a try.

How do you get a fabulous indoor flying venue?

There is no blueprint, but there are some common-sense steps that you can take.

• Recognize every opportunity. Visit the facility to see if the physical layout can accommodate flying. Think outside of the box.

• Organize your best modelers. Recruit those who are knowledgeable about multiple aspects of aeromodeling, insurance, field control, etc. A business professional, sales representative, marketing, or promotion expert would all be good candidates.

• Dress professionally. No fuel-soaked jeans. A sport coat and tie are the order of the day.

• Understand that the people with whom you will be speaking might have preconceived notions of model airplanes (e.g. internal-combustion engines, they all crash, etc.). Address their concerns head-on.

• Listen carefully to the owners/managers of the facility. They probably have unspoken concerns.

• Bring along some well-built sample aircraft. Have your best pilots available for demonstration flights.

• Understand the facility’s business model. Don’t expect prime time. The best times to fly might not be available to you, so go for the off hours.

• Be flexible. Occasionally, we have had to change our schedule to accommodate higher-revenue field rentals.

• One of the initial concerns at Ultimate Soccer Arenas was the cost of turning on the lights. Work with lower light levels or no lights, if not needed.

• Establish a personal relationship with the staff. We have brought in lunch, goodies, and supported the owners’ charitable causes.

• Be knowledgeable about AMA insurance and indoor field setup.

• Get the staff flying! One of the owners of Ultimate Soccer Arenas actually soloed.

Flying indoors provides a lot of advantages. Here, two early aviation-style models practice formation flying.