Magnificent Flying Machines: North Plains

Did you know you can watch four different flying machines at once from a single spot near North Plains?

Gliders, tow planes, huge RC (remote controlled) aircraft, and 8 different kinds of raptors from kestrels to eagles are sometimes all in the sky at once, but only the hawks share airspace with the RCs. The birds often come over to check out these strange, shiny creatures who fly weird and don't know how to land on a tree properly. (If you ever see an RC land in a tree, it's gonna be a more exciting day than you bargained for, complete with colorful language from the pilot.)

The Fly-a-Ways RC Club operates from their own private airfield complete with runway, windsock, viewing area, and live cams. On nice days, you'll see an assortment of both electric and gas powered aerobatic sport planes, WWI and WWII replicas, biplanes, Otters and transport planes, and occasionally even a helicopter. These craft are massive, between 3 and 6 feet in wingspan, and often require a van to transport them. Many pilots are highly skilled, pulling aerobatics maneuvers like spins, barrel rolls, and hammerheads. The airfield has covered seating or you can set up your own chair in the sun. The pilots love answering questions and telling stories (No, they won't let you fly their plane, stop asking!) and will usually let you come right over to see the aircraft up close.

From this same vantage point, you can also see the Willamette Valley Soaring Club pulling gliders into the sky at the North Plains Gliderport on the other side of the highway. A '63 Piper Pawnee tows private, instructional, and touring gliders 3000' up and then veers away sharply to let the sleek crafts seek out their own thermals. If the conditions are right, they can go incredible distances--one guy told me a glider came over from the Hood River area--that's 75 miles! The gliderport has covered seating at picnic tables or you can set up your own chair in the sun. The pilots are happy to answer questions and they do offer paid rides. You might even get to see a glider up close but that's at their discretion.

While all this going on the real experts are quietly putting everyone to shame: Bald eagles, Red-tailed hawks, Coopers hawks, Swainson's hawks, Harriers, turkey vultures, Sharp-shinned hawks, and kestrels, are all carving lazy circles in the sky, scoping out the fields for snacks. Their soaring skills are unmatched. I watched a Coopey snatch something tiny from the ground and go to town on it while perched prettily stop the RC field's windsock. There's also the potential for deer and coyotes out there, it's open farmland.

We'll meet at the Fly-a-Ways RC seating area (read the How To Find Us directions carefully), settle in, and munch lunch for an hour while we watch RCs, gliders, and local raptors all do their stuff. There is a mixed deciduous line of oak and brush behind us that may offer up some good birding, too. Free parking, restroom on site.

Then we'll drive 0.8 mi. across the highway and find a good seat at the gliderport to watch the gliders launch and land for a bit. You could alternatively eat lunch here, your choice. I can answer basic airplane and flying questions as my father was a single prop aircraft pilot. There's a huge apple tree in the parking area that's giving tons of fruit, you can pick all you like if you can get to them. Free parking, restroom on site.

Bring $10 cash, beverage and lunch, camp chair, binoculars/scope, WEATHER appropriate clothing, and all your photography gear. Restrooms on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.