Russ has been hooked on RC aircraft models for almost his entire life.  Since Russ was born, his dad was active in Detroit and Iowa where his family lived.  His dad would take Russ out to the flying field with him.  Since the age of 3, flying and had trophies on the wall by the age of 7. 

  Russ started competing in the children's  contests with his "basic" trainer.  He continued with competitions that included bomb dropping and pattern flying. 

  Russ began taking regular flying lessons at the age of 14, allowing him to earn his pilots license at the age of 16.

  Russ joined the US Air Force and was stationed at the Minot AFB as a mechanic from 1978 thru 1981.  Russ eventually separated from the Air Force but he remained in Minot, North Dakota.  He went on the found Earth Movers in 1988.  He sold the company in 2006 but remains as the manager.

  Since flying model aircraft almost 54 years, Russ has had the chance to watch the hobby change.  Many of the changes are in the technology used to control the aircraft.  Russ can remember flying with a transmitter containing vacuum tubes.  This type of transmitter only had right and left switches used to control the rudder.   Now transmitters out today us 2.4 GHz for the radio signal.  These transmitters also contain computers with LCD screens and menu options unimaginable in the 1970's.

How long have you been flying:  Almost 54 years.

What channel do you commonly use: 2.4 GHz

(Russ and his wife, Jean are active members of MAM and you can find them camping at the
Flying Field on many weekends.)

What type of flying do you do: Everything from gliders to jets.  If it flies, he'll try it.

  Russ was the first in the Minot area to purchase a jet model.  He got his jet about three years ago after seeing one flown by a Canadian pilot.  The Canadian modelers flew his jet at the MAM International and Russ said "I had to have one".  This was the first time Russ had seen a jet fly.  That was all he needed...  he then latter got his first jet. 

  Russ enjoys sitting in a rocking chair at the MAM field with a remote in his hands and his aircrafts flying overhead.  "That's very relaxing," he said. 

  Russ spends his winter building planes.  He jokes that he spends his time in the winter building the planes so he can crash them in the summer.  "You hate to say it, but it's something that a vicious  cycle".  Many modelers agree with him and it's part of the hobby.  

  Russ first crash with one of his jets occurred during the 2007 MAM International.  He encountered radio problems that resulted in the jet crashing and burning.