Courtland Cottrell flies his distant management airplane at Falcon Park in Sandy on Wednesday, Might 25, 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret Information
The Falcon Park Flyers chortle and speak whereas driving and flying their distant managed vehicles and airplanes at Falcon Park in Sandy on Wednesday. Laura Seitz
When some individuals take into consideration retirement, they give thought to touring and seeing the world — you understand, grownup issues.
When Richard Despain entered his retirement years — a few many years in the past — he thought of flying mannequin airplanes, driving distant management vehicles and racing them down the hill along with his buddies just like the 6-year-old little one he as soon as was.
Each morning for the previous 20 years or so — minus Sundays — Despain and his buddies have met at numerous places, most frequently Falcon Park in Sandy, to race their vehicles and fly their airplanes. Some even meet at native ponds to race boats.
All 12 months lengthy, rain or shine, this group of buddies from all walks of life — a few of whom are literally retired airline pilots — get collectively to inform jokes, chortle, and naturally, race their toys. They've even named themselves The Falcon Park Flyers, to commemorate their each day dose of enjoyable.
"The factor is, we're in our 80s, however we act like we're 6 years previous," Despain joked as he chased his monster truck down the hill. "Once you get previous, there's solely sure issues you are able to do, and that is one in every of them. We additionally sit and speak. We're nice talkers."
There's a story behind all this, John Nelson mentioned as he held tight to his distant management.
"Many, a few years in the past, I used to be flying mannequin planes within the '60s — you understand, those that used wires earlier than they got here out with the radio management?" Nelson mentioned. "Then the parks all shut it down as a result of they did not just like the noise of the motors or the gasoline killing the grass, so it sort of died down. Anyone developed an electrical motor, and battery know-how has elevated to the place we have now these highly effective batteries and we will run airplanes and vehicles off of them, so now (flying planes) have constructed again up once more."
The Falcon Park Flyers chortle and speak whereas driving and flying their distant managed vehicles and airplanes at Falcon Park in Sandy on Wednesday.
Laura Seitz
Nelson spoke about flying mannequin planes being a lifelong love for many of them, and his pal Paul Viehweg agreed, including that he enjoys watching the subsequent technology of distant management car fans.
"Little children will run after us and chase the vehicles," Viehweg mentioned. "Most individuals love us, and a few owners assume we're insane. There are a number of dad and mom who include their little children, and the youngsters come to play with us. We won't have any gasoline; they're all electrical. The gasoline will kill the grass when you spill it."
The group of retirees does most of their flying at Falcon Park as a result of it is without doubt one of the solely parks that may permit it. Due to that, the lads say they ensure that they're good stewards of the park.
"Sandy Metropolis has allowed us to come back right here, so we're very protecting of this park," Nelson mentioned. "We do not fly when soccer gamers are right here, and we do not block the sidewalk."
There are some days when climate would not allow the lads to get to the park, and a few days there are occasions when the park is occupied, and that is after they take their enjoyable indoors.
This interest, nevertheless, as most are, is not only a morning endeavor, Viehweg mentioned.
"I believe I've 38 planes at dwelling, and so they're hanging in all places across the storage, and the basement, and the automobile," Viehweg mentioned. "We crash rather a lot. We come and fly within the morning, and we construct and restore all night time. If I used to be dwelling on a regular basis, I would in all probability be driving my spouse nuts."
And so it comes full circle. Retired or not, as soon as a toddler, all the time a toddler. Everybody wants an opportunity to get out of the home and play.