Eugene Prop Spinners member Gary Weems' Profile Cardinal is seen in flight at the club's Can Do Ranch flying site on a cool, calm day in December 2022. Prop Spinners fly control-line planes all year round. Flying Lines photo.

Eugene Prop Spinners

The Eugene Prop Spinners Club is based in Eugene, Ore., and flies regularly at the Can Do Ranch in Junction City, Ore., or (in winter) at Orchard Point Lane County Park at Fern Ridge Lake. There also is a flying site in Florence, Ore. See Northwest CL Flying Fields for information about the Prop Spinners fields. E-mail for information about flying activities and access to the flying sites.

Club officers

Mike Denlis, president (photo at left)
Jim Corbett, vice president, secretary, newsletter editor
John Thompson, treasurer
Gene Pape
safety officer

Interested in joining the Prop Spinners? Annual dues are $25, and membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics is required. Being a Prop Spinners member gets you access to Prop Spinners flying fields. For information on joining the club, E-mail the Prop Spinners.

For news of radio control flying in the Eugene area, see the Eugene RC Aeronauts website.

Interested in becoming a member? Download a Prop Spinners membership application



New! Download November 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

New! Download October 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

New! Prop Spinners participate in global Ringmaster fly-a-thon See article

New! Download September 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

New! Download August 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

New! Download July 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Download June 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Download May 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Download April 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Download March 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Download February 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter

Prop Spinners Life Member Dave Shrum dies See obituary >>

Download January 2024 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter


Spirit of Exchange

This is the Spirit of Exchange, which was flown by Eugene Prop Spinners continuously for 64 hours, 33 minutes and 15 seconds in September of 1957, an endurance record that is believed to remain unmatched. The engine is a K&B Torpedo .35, modified for two glow plugs. The airplane was displayed in the Eugene Toy & Hobby shop after the flight until spring of 2023, when it was displayed at the 50th Northwest Control-Line Regionals. Then it was delivered by Prop Spinners President Mike Denlis to the National Model Aviation Museum in Muncie, Ind., where it will remain. Many articles have been written about the endurance flight, including this one in Model Airplane News in its August 1979 issue. An article about the endurance flight and the donation to the museum is included in the December 2023 issue of Model AviationMike Denlis photo.


Vintage Combat icons

Combat expert and Prop Spinners member Gene Pape of Eugene, Ore., enjoys building and flying vintage Combat planes powered by period-correct engines from his extensive collection.  At the Prop Spinners' Can Do Ranch flying field in October 2023, Gene flew this Flite Streak (left) powered by a McCoy .35 and a Voodoo powered by a Johnson Combat Special. The Voodoo is painted in the colors that designer Riley Wooten used on the plane pictured on the kit box.  Gene used a 1950s-era Jim Walker U-Reely as his handle. Gene Pape photo.

Prop Spinners participate in 2023 worldwide Ringmaster fly-a-thon See article

Download December 2023 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | November 2023 | October 2023 | September 2023 | August 2023 | July 2023 | June 2023 | May 2023 | April 2023 | March 2023 | February 2023 | January 2023

Prop Spinner Tom Kopriva dies See obituary >>

Prop Spinners participate in 2022 worldwide Ringmaster fly-a-thon See article

Download December 2022 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | November 2022 | October 2022 | September 2022 | August 2022 | July 2022 | June 2022 | May 2022 | April 2022 | March 2022  | February 2022 | January 2022

Download December 2021 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | November 2021 | October 2021 | September 2021 | August 2021 | July 2021 | June 2021 | May 2021 | April 2021 | March 2021 | February 2021 | January 2021

Prop Spinners participate in 2021 Ringmaster fly-a-thon See article

Eugene flying in the 1940s

Mark Agerter, third-generation member of the family that owns Eugene Toy & Hobby, recently unearthed several photos of the Prop Spinners flying in the 1940s and 1950s. This one shows a group flying at Willard School in the late 1940s. Note the crowd lined up outside the fence to watch. For more photos, see the Northwest CL History page.

Prop Spinners participate in 2020 global Ringmaster fly-a-thon See article

Download December 2020 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | November 2020 | October 2020 | September 2020 | August 2020 | July 2020 | June 2020 | May 2020 | April 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020

Coronavirus flying at the ranch

The Prop Spinners keep flying in 2019, using some social distancing measures to stay safe from the COVID-19 virus. Dave LaFever starts the engine on his warbird at a July 4 session at the Can Do Ranch, using a stooge for a launcher. Dean Rea photo.

Gary Weems prepares to fly his Buster from his remote-controlled launcher on July 4. Dean Rea photo.

Though many contests and other organized events have been canceled because of the COVID-19 virus, Eugene Prop Spinners weekend flying has continued with some new "social distancing" protocols in place. One such protocol is avoidance of prop wash, which might blow germs from the person starting the engine to the launcher. That means the use of mechanical launchers or "stooges." Planes without landing gear require something a little more sophisticated than the typical wire-pull stooge used for convential CL planes. Above, Gene Pape's Underdog, a Nelson .36-powered AMA Fast Combat Plane, leaps out of Gene's remote-controlled launcher during a Saturday flying esssion at the Prop Spinners' Can Do Ranch flying field. The launcher, described in Gene's recent column, uses automotive door lock mechanisms and their remote key fob. No wires on the ground to trip on, and it works great, allowing Gene to fly during the pandemic. Flying Lines photo

Download December 2019 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | November 2019 | October 2019 | September 2019 | August 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019

Prop Spinners 2019 Fun Fly draws a crowd See article

Download April 2019 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018

Eugene Prop Spinners members erect the club's wind sock at the Can Do Ranch flying site in Junction City, Ore., on April 28, 2018. The sock was moved from the Eugene Airport site, no longer available for control-line flying. Flying Lines photos.

The work crew after the wind sock was erected at the Can Do Ranch.

Download April 2018 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | October 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | January 2017 | December 2016 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013

Lots of flying at Oregon Flying Fun No. 4 despite showers See article

Download March 2013 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012

The Prop Spinners fly all year round. This photo from Dec. 8, 2012, shows two circles in action at the Eugene Airport, the club's flying site through 2015. Gordon Rea carries his plane to the circle with Mike Denlis carrying the handle, while Floyd Carter (foreground) prepares his plane and in the background Mike Massey prepares for a flight with Dave La Fever helping. Flying Lines photo.

Download November 2012 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012

Spring arrives in Eugene with Oregon Flying Fun No. 4 See article and photos

Download March 2012 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011

It was an accidental "Warbirds day" at the Prop Spinners' club meeting and flying session on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Lined up in the pits are, in foreground, P-40s flown by Tom Kopriva (left) and Jim Corbett, and in background, Floyd Carter's Spitfire (left) and Hurricane. Flying Lines photo.

Download November 2011 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011

Weather is wild at 2011 Oregon Flying Fun No. 4 See article >>

Download March 2011 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010

It's windy in Eugene For Oregon Flying Fun 4 See article

Download March 2010 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009

Fall colors are on display in this scene from the Eugene Airport on Oct. 17, 2009, with lots of club members in attendance on a perfect flying day. Flying Lines photo.


Download October 2009 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | September 2009


Prop Spinners memorial bench honors departed members

During the Oregon Blue Sky Stunt Classic at the Eugene Airport flying field on Aug. 22-23, 2009, the new memorial bench was seen for the first time with the plaque honoring departed members. Member Mel Marcum arranged for the engraving, and installed the plaque on the bench. This completes a memorial project conceived after the death of Morrie Gilbert last year. Below is a close-up of what the plaque looks like. Gene Pape photo.

New! Oregon Blue Sky Stunt Classic held at Eugene field Full report and photos

Download August 2009 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009


Flying site gets furniture!

The Prop Spinners enhanced the Eugene flying site on May 3, 2009, with the addition of a bench and picnic table. A plaque later was added to the bench honoring some departed Prop Spinners. The picnic table will be available on site as a work and lunch table. The work party to assemble the furniture included (from left) Floyd Carter, Gene Pape, Mike Denlis and John Thompson. A barbecue inaugurated the table! Carole Pape photo.

Download April 2009 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | March 2009

Oregon Flying Fun No. 2 draws good crowd of fliers See article

Download February 2009 Prop Spinner Chatter | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008

Recently at the Eugene flying field: Mike Massey brought this new Magician out to the Eugene Airport on Nov. 22, 2008, for its maiden flight. The plane is powered by a Fox .35 Stunt. At right, just a typical sunny winter flying session! Dec. 6, 2008, brought a good turnout of fliers and lots of planes to the field. Jim Corbett photos.

Download October 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | September 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter | August 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter

See Prop Spinners first half 2008 flying photo gallery

Download July 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | June 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter

Longtime Prop Spinner Morrie Gilbert dies Full story

Download May 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter | April 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter | March 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter | February 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter

Prop Spinners host annual Oregon Fun Fly event No. 2 Full story and photos

Download January 2008 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter


Floyd ups the ante

Floyd Carter of Eugene saw others in the Northwest coming out with twin-engine planes during the past year, and was not to be outdone. Possibly the most prolific model builder in the region, Floyd whipped up a twin and made it electric, just to add a little innovation. The first electric twin in the area as far as we know. But the twin (featured here a couple of weeks ago) was a little underpowered on its first trip to the Eugene flying field. No problem! A couple of weeks later, Floyd returned to the Eugene field with the same plane -- now a trimotor! A third motor, slightly more powerful, was added to the back of the fuselage pod.

The trimotor version has plenty of horsepower and the plane stunts very well and gets a long-enough run for the stunt pattern. We're hoping Floyd will write us an article with details of the project.

Oh, and while waiting for the paint to dry on the trimotor, Floyd whipped up a very nice profile stunter called the Grand Poo Bah, at left. We'll show a larger picture later.

Can't wait to see what Floyd brings out to the field next week! Flying Lines photos.

 


Prop Spinners honor Morrie Gilbert for long service

At the club meeting on Feb. 17, 2008, the Eugene Prop Spinners paid special tribute to Morrie Gilbert, a member of the club since the late 1940s, who recently stepped down from the job of treasurer after nearly three decades. Morrie has been a continuous member of the club and a mentor and inspiration to many fliers. Former Prop Spinner Gene Pape attended the meeting and recalled meeting Morrie at a CL competition in the 1960s, which led to Gene's long involvement in the hobby. Morrie also was a member of the Prop Spinners team that set the still-standing endurance record in 1957 (See NW CL History page). Morrie remains an active member of the Prop Spinners and often attends the regular weekend flying sessions. He organized the club's demonstration for stroke victims in the fall of 2007. The award was presented by longtime Prop Spinner Mel Marcum. Jim Corbett printed up a four-page article describing some of Morrie's activities with the club. The tribute took place in the Prop Spinners' "rolling meeting hall," Mel's motor home, at the flying field. Visible in the picture are (from left) Gene Pape, John Thompson, Morrie, Floyd Carter and Mel Marcum. Jim Corbett photo.


Prop Spinners members give demonstration for stroke victims Full story and photos

Download October 2007 Prop Spinner Chatter newsletter | 2007 Prop Spinner Chatter | June 2007 Prop Spinner Chatter

Wind sock installed for 2007 season

Eugene Prop Spinners members reinstalled the former wind sock pole in fresh concrete on April 29, 2007, and the sock was put atop the tall pole for the following week's flying. Now fliers all over the field can see which way the wind is blowing. From left, workers are Morrie Gilbert, Mike Denlis, Mel Marcum, Tom Kopriva. Club members also did quite a bit of field maintenance work that same weekend. Fresh circles were painted on the asphalt on April 27. Flying Lines photo.

Winter flying occurs in some "unusual" conditions

The Eugene Airport flying field was foggy and wet when the Eugene Prop Spinners arrived on Saturday morning, Jan. 28, but it soon cleared off – and the sun started making steam from the water on the asphalt. Left photo, Tom Kopriva flying, surrounded by the mist; right photo, Tom's Cardinal passes the steamy pit area. Steam wasn't much help finding wind direction: At times it seemed to be moving in all directions at once! Weather eventually cleared completely for a lovely flying day. Flying Lines photos.

The Eugene Airport flying field was foggy and wet when the Eugene Prop Spinners arrived on Saturday morning, Jan. 28, but it soon cleared off – and the sun started making steam from the water on the asphalt. Left photo, Tom Kopriva flying, surrounded by the mist; right photo, Tom's Cardinal passes the steamy pit area. Steam wasn't much help finding wind direction: At times it seemed to be moving in all directions at once! Weather eventually cleared completely for a lovely flying day. Flying Lines photos.

Prop Spinners host No. 2 in 2007 Oregon Flying Fun series
Download Prop Spinner Chatter December 2006 | October 2006 | June 2006 | April 2006
Eugene Fun Fly gets 2006 Oregon season started

Oregon CL fliers gathered under sunny skies on Feb. 19 at the site of the upcoming Northwest Regionals. Full story.

Prop Spinners automate the mowing chore

The Prop Spinners used plans provided by fliers in Cook County, Ill., to set up a "monoline" mower, which automatically trims down the grass circles while the club members are flying on the adjacent asphalt. The system allows EPS members to work and fly at the same time!

The mower is a self-propelled mower that is tethered to a spool staked down in the center of the circle. The mower unwinds as it mows, and runs out of gas as the circle dimension hits 75 feet. The system's design and some photos of the Illinois setup were provided to the Prop Spinners by Bill Dahlgren of Glenview, Ill., and the Eugene system was built by longtime Prop Spinner Morrie Gilbert (shown in the left photo as the automated mower chugs past). The right photo shows the mower unwinding from its spool.

The mower system was tested for the first time at the June 11, 2006 flying session. More information about the automated mowing system can be obtained from John Thompson or from Bill Dahlgren.

Floyd's new Wildman

Floyd Carter brought his new Wildman 60 to the Eugene flying field on Feb. 12. It features an Anderson Spitfire .65, spark ignition (see front end detail). Flying Lines photos.


First flying session of 2006

Tom Kopriva, John Thompson and Floyd Carter got out to the Eugene flying field, home of the upcoming Northwest Regionals, on Jan. 15.

Floyd Carter prepares his Bob Palmer Venus; John Thompson's Vector 40 waits for another flight.

Left photo: Tom Kopriva flying his ARF Cardinal. Right: Floyd with the Bob Palmer Venus, bound for Tucson and the VSC in March. Flying Lines photos.



E-mail the Eugene Prop Spinners

Back to NW Club News page

Flying Lines home page

This page was updated Nov. 21, 2024