Biographies

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Walt Buskey Biography

Model airplane with yellow wings on a wooden surface, note with specifications nearby.

I grew up with machines, had my first airplane ride in a J3 in the spring of 1956 (third grade), and got hooked. The first time I got my hands on an airplane was the spring of 1966, in a Cherokee C 140. I got hooked even more. 

I tried college twice, but it didn't agree with me. I was a Chinese translator for Uncle Sam (US ARMY, 14th ASA FS, Hakata, Japan) from '69-'72. I spent years in "the trades," including automotive, electronic, HVAC, and then went into teaching math (and an elective, model aviation!) at a middle school. 

Dwight (George) Black Biography

Child holding model airplane, smiling, in uniform, black and white photo.

I first built small balsa gliders (including an F7F) in 1948. My first fuel-powered Control Line model was a "Little Mercury" with an OK .049 glow engine in 1950. I upgraded to a Fox .35 and built various C/L stunt and combat during the 50s. 

I modified Sterling Ringmasters into "Wingmasters" for C/L Combat during the 50s. I built and flew C/L Dina Jet speed in the late 50s. 

Evan Doughty Biography

Woman standing behind large yellow and red model airplane outdoors.

I was born in 1956 while my father was in the USAF. Being around aircraft at an early age and around model making (my father built wood display sailing ships), I started making model airplanes out of household materials at about 5 years old and built my first Free Flight balsa planes at 7 while living in Uruguay. Shortly thereafter, I turned toward glow and Control Line. 

Johnny Salaza Biography

Man smiling, holding a large model blue and yellow jet, standing on grass with crutches.

I was introduced to aviation as a child in the 1970s, but due to a physical handicap, learning to fly was never an option. Over the years, every time I tried to get into RC aviation, life had other plans. Responsibilities, timing, and circumstances always seemed to get in the way. 

Fast forward to 2021—my wife encouraged me to join the local RC club just down the street. That simple push changed everything. 

David McNeill Biography

When I lost my wife of almost 40 years, I really didn't have any hobbies. Between taking care of the family, the house, church, work, community involvement, and other family issues, it always felt like there was never enough time. 

Then, I noticed a couple of my neighbors who had started flying AeroScouts. I would drive by watching them like a kid. Before long, I was hooked too. As we moved up to slightly bigger planes, we started flying at the local community center, where I ran into an old friend who had also taken up the hobby. 

Gilbert Ruiz Biography

My name is Gilbert Ruiz. I am 58 years old, a father of 3 children, and a grandfather of 3. I live in Miami, Florida. I became involved in the radio control hobby very young in life when my grandfather, who was an auto mechanic, gifted me an RC Chevrolet Camaro Z28. I cannot remember what model platform it was on, but all I knew is that it went fast and was a blast to play with. 

As life went on, I had several RC cars, Control Line airplanes, and electric boats. At the age of 19, I joined the US Army Reserve and my RC hobby was temporarily put on hold. 

Guy Caputo Biography

Model B-25 bomber on blue background, with a man in a red shirt in the top right.

My start in the hobby of RC airplanes began where my hobby of racing motorcycles ended. I was a Land Speed Racer (a "how fast can you go" kinda thing). I held the record for the world's fastest Nitrous Oxide motorcycle from a dead stop to 1 mile for 9 years, and it got boring. So, I got into the unlimited class where there were only 9 riders trying to break 300 mph in just 1 mile from a dead stop. 

Roger Green Biography

I started in RC by building a Stearling Model Chri Craft Boat at the age of 12. The radio receiver I used was an ED model using a gas tube XFG-1, later replaced by a RK-61 tube. I built my own transmitter using plans from an article by Greenburg. I still have the transmitter and receiver. 

I later became interested in flying models that included stick-built Sterling planes (gas and gliders) using a Futaba six-channel Digital set up. 

Mike Davis Biography

Man smiling next to large yellow model airplane on grassy field.

As with many of us, I would imagine, I began my modeling addiction with rubber band-powered balsa models in the grocery store checkout. My first powered model was a Cox PT-19 Oh 49 Control Line that I received for Christmas when I was 8 years old. 

Since that time, I have built hundreds of models, several from scratch. I have enjoyed sport, scale, pattern, IMAC, 3D, combat, pylon, turbines, FPV, and SAM. Essentially, if someone showed up at the field with something new, I was up for giving it a try! 

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