JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
STEVE EAGLE: My journey into modeling started with a lifelong interest in airplanes, especially World War I biplanes. When I was around five years old, I was sitting in the garage with my grandpa, Charles Stepler. He asked me what I’d like to build that day. I said, "a biplane." We cut 2 × 4s with a table saw and built a biplane. Grandpa hand-carved a propeller and attached it with a nail so that I could turn it. By that afternoon, I was flying my first custom-built biplane.
I moved to Wabash, Indiana, after my wife, Letitia, and I got married. I was riding my motorcycle and passed a flying field in nearby Converse, Indiana. I stopped at the field to speak to the fliers. I had always thought it would be expensive to get started in the model aviation sport, but the members of the club gave me advice on how to find a training airplane at an affordable price.
I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my wife about my day. She said that if I was serious about joining the club and flying, she would get me my first airplane for my birthday. And she did … a Goldberg Eagle 2 Trainer airplane. I still have that model.
Through the club, I met numerous mentors, who showed me how to fly and gave me advice. The most influential was Carl Moon. He and his wife became close friends with my wife and me. After approximately two years of learning the basics of flying, I began to enter events and competitions.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
SE: My activities in the sport of model aviation have significantly increased my self-confidence, both on and off of the flying field. I have gained tremendous composure from competing in contests. Additionally, I have gained leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills in my numerous roles throughout the years.
I have been secretary, treasurer, and president of my local club and vice president of the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Special Interest Group. As a mechanic in a small family business, this experience helped me efficiently run the auto repair shop and communicate with customers and suppliers.
In 2024, I had the honor of representing the US as team manager at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft in Romania. The US had not fielded a team in the World Championships for 16 years. I had never traveled outside of the US and it was a wonderful adventure.
The most meaningful impact has been the numerous lifelong friends that my wife and I have made through the local flying club and at events and competitions throughout the nation and internationally.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
SE: I am an active member in my local club, the Converse Fly Eagles, and have participated in many NASA events. I am currently flying a Stearman biplane, an Albatross, and a half-scale Fokker D.VII with a 14-foot wingspan.
I enjoy participating in fun-flys and Dawn Patrols. I have started building a Vans RV-8 for the world championships. I started with a kit and I’m using three-view drawings to alter it. I also have access to full-scale documentation to make adjustments.
For approximately 25 years, I have flown in the Nats and have won eight first-place finishes in Team Scale, 10 first-places in the Open class, four in Expert, and numerous second- and third-place finishes in various categories. Additionally, at the 2017 Nats and U.S. Scale Masters, I won best WW I biplane for my Nieuport 17.
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
SE: When I’m not flying my biplanes, I enjoy riding my Orange County Choppers motorcycle and driving my 1932 Ford pickup truck around the local reservoir and Indiana countryside. I also enjoy bass fishing, shooting, and mushroom hunting.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
SE: My wife, Letitia, has had the most influence on my aeromodeling. Not only did she buy me my first airplane, but it has also been a team effort from the beginning. She participates in the local club and travels with me to swap meets, events, and competitions.
Most importantly, she has unwavering confidence in my capabilities, and I carry that onto the field for each flight and competition.
JS: What advice do you have for someone who is looking to get into RC?
SE: First, find a local club and go meet the members. Their experience is the best way to learn how to get started. I suggest starting with an airplane that has a high-wing configuration and flat-bottom airfoil, such as a Carl Goldberg Eagle 2 or Senorita. Next, really learn the basics of flying the model before using gyro-operated control surfaces.
Many publications include nonflying events such as swap meets. These are great places to get airplanes, parts, and meet other fliers.
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