Andy Atkinson / Mail TribunePilots fly their planes at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneAn RC plane piloted by Scott Hudson lands on the airstrip at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Snoopy prepares to fly at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneA two-stage rocket launches at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneJeremy Hewitt flies his helicopter at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atknson / Mail TribuneJohn Gaines lands his plane at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneJohn Gaines walks his plane off the runway at Agate Skyways in Eagle Point during the Rogue Eagles RC Air Show on Saturday.
Rogue Eagles RC Club Holds First Remote Control Air Show Since Pandemic; proceeds for the benefit of the Children’s Miracle Network
EAGLE POINT — Though its members are humble about their abilities, the Rogue Eagles RC Club put on quite a show at Agate Skyways for members of the public on Saturday.
It started with red, white and blue remote control planes rolling and rolling against a clear sky as Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful” played. Later, to the sound of circus music, yellow-winged planes sporting pink bellies did some synchronized stunts (although there was a collision); and then a remote-controlled helicopter flew by during the Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly.”
For Eagle Point resident Brian Bowman, who used to fly the planes themselves and is teaching his grandchildren about them, the air show wasn’t just a bit of fun; it was very fun.”
“I feel like a kid again,” Bowman said.
It was the first day of the air show, an annual event organized by the Rogue Eagles to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, an arm of the Asante Foundation.
To date, the air show, now in its 11th year, has raised more than $25,000 for Children’s Miracle Network, which benefits the women’s and children’s services at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.
“It’s groups like them … that keep these programs here locally so kids and families, when they need care, can stay close to home,” said Desirae Myers, communications and marketing manager from the Asante Foundation.
Rogue Eagles spokesman Rob Merriman admits it’s a challenge to choose one community organization over another that could benefit from the air show. Historically, Children’s Miracle Network has been the recipient.
“We like the fact that it’s very local, and we really liked the story of what the Children’s Miracle Network is able to do to help facilitate families, who are obviously in a major crisis right now,” she said. Merriman.
He then pointed to the expansion of the hospital, which will allow Asante to bring all women’s and children’s services under one roof.
“Now with the additions they’re making to their complex, they’re going to make a real commitment to … helping families that are going through some pretty tough things. We support that,” Merriman said.
Turning his attention to the air show, Merriman called it “a long tradition” that brings together generations of families each year.
“We’re excited to finally be able to have a show again after a four-year layoff due to both COVID-19 and wildfire smoke,” he said. “The club expects it every year. It is an opportunity to showcase a wide variety of aircraft and skills that are represented by the club. I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the sophistication of the models we have. There will be something for everyone.”
He then pointed to the summer camp the club hosted earlier this year to teach kids how to fly remote-controlled planes. Likewise, the air show will offer children the possibility of flying remote-controlled airplanes; adults will be able to try it too, all under the 2022 airshow theme, ‘Time to Fly’.
“I think the intent is that we really want people to know that if they have an interest, we can make it available,” Merriman said.
Matthew Wilson, 14, was one of many young people interested in flying RC planes who attended the air show on Saturday. He graciously accepted a styrofoam airplane he won in a raffle.
“I think this will fly better than the paper plates I make,” said Wilson, whose goal is to get a remote-controlled plane after testing one during the Rogue Eagles’ summer camp.
“It was better than I thought it would be, and I really had high expectations,” he said.
Tony Hess is trying to get his 6-year-old son interested in flying drones.
“I have always enjoyed it. “‘Top Gun’ was the biggest thing for me, so I watched that as a kid, I got into rockets, and then when I could afford it, I got into remote control airplanes,” Hess said. “Now he’s also very interested.”
Max Hess told the paper that he likes the remote control because “they look really fun and they’re not too hard or too easy.”
Unlike the Hess family, Cynthia Jones and her son, Cooper Freeman, have never flown a drone and just came to the air show for fun.
“I love it. I love the opportunity we get to come see these things,” Jones said. “They’re really fun to watch, and I think it probably takes a lot of skill to be able to do the things they do.”
Freeman thinks it’s “really cool” that the Rogue Eagles are able to fly these types of aircraft and defy their expectations.
“A lot of things I haven’t seen before, except in war movies and CGI stuff,” Freeman said. “It was cool to see the helicopter fly up and down.”
Little did Jones know that the Rogue Eagles would allow her and other members of the public to fly some of their remote-controlled aircraft.
“I’ll have to think about it, but maybe (I’ll try it),” he said.
For Sunday’s show, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Agate Skyways, 888 E. Antelope Road, admission is a suggested donation of $5 for adults or $10 for a car over an adult Children’s entry is free and so is parking. The profits will go back to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Kona-Ice sold refreshments on Saturday, while Toasted Cheese will offer food sales on Sunday. Raffles are scheduled on both days.
See rogue-eagles.org for directions and more information.
Contact reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.
