Lunchtime at the Zoot Ranch Fun Fly. Jerry Eichten strolls through one of two pit areas, as participants enjoy a potluck meal at the Zoot Picnic Area alongside the flying field. Flying Lines photo.

Zoot Ranch keeps getting better

Mehama, Ore., Aug. 30, 2025

The annual Zoot Ranch Fun Fly was enjoyed by at least 18 control-line enthusuasts on a flying field that keeps improving every year. Participants this year were greeted by an expanded and leveled flying circle with a concrete takeoff runway and center pad. And, as always, the pot luck lunch was outstanding!

Weather was perfect for flying, with almost no wind, and the array of planes was, as usual, quite varied.

One highlight was seeing flights by the Ringmaster, built by Mark Agerter in the early 1960s and then displayed hanging from the ceiling of Eugene Toy & Hobby ever since. Refurbished by Gene Pape in such a way as to show the condition of the plane after its long display, the Ringmaster, powered by a vintage McCoy .35, was flown by Gene Pape, Mike Hazel and John Thompson.

Attending were Bill and Sue Badstubner, Sam Baird, Terence and Valerie Bardue, Craig Bartlett, Mark and Lisa Crouse, Roy DeCamara and Valerie Costa, Jerry Eichten, John and Lynette Lickley, Gene Pape, Doug Powers, Mark Schluter, John Thompson and Gary Weems.

Zoot Ranch Fun Fly photos

The historic Ringmaster, built by Mark Agerter of the family that owned Eugene Toy & Hobby, which was displayed at the hobby shop since the early 1970s. Gene Pape's re-covering preserved the original covering underneath. Flying Lines photo.

Mark Schluter flies a Tutor built by the late Mike Denlis, longtime Eugene Prop Spinners president.Flying Lines photo.

Closeup of Mark Schluter concentrating on his maneuvers. Flying Lines photo.

Gary Weems launches that flight for Mark. Flying Lines photo.

Gary Weems put up quite a few flights on his Flite Streak. Flying Lines photo.

Nice-looking profile planes by John Lickley (left) and Lynette Lickley. Flying Lines photo.

At left, John Thompson's Wildman 60, designed in 1950 by Floyd Carter, former president of the Prop Spinners, who is still a club member at 92. The orange plane is Floyd's Venus, now owned by Mike Hazel. The white plane is John Thompson's Super Ringmaster. Flying Lines photo.

Lots of planes in one of the two pit areas. Flying Lines photo.

Mark Schluter's Magician. Flying Lines photo.

A nicely done Flite Streak by Doug Powers. Flying Lines photo.

Doug Powers at the handle. Gene Pape photo.

Eugene Prop Spinners members show off the Agerter Ringmaster. Jerry Eichten photo.

John Thompson flies the Agerter Ringmaster. Gene Pape photo.


The perfect back yard for a control-line flier. Concrete runway and nice grass circle just outside the house. Flying Lines photo.

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This page was updated Sept. 1, 2025