D7 Pilot of the Month, Gary Banducci, Bakersfield, CA

I was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA into a close, farming, Italian family. I very much enjoy my friendships, some dating back 60 to 65 years. Keeping in touch with my friends is important to me, and I sometimes travel great distances to visit and keep those friendships alive. I’m married to my wife Cheri for 10 years and retired two years ago after 44 years of farming. Now I get to enjoy my time with RC flying and traveling.

GB 1

 GB 2


I started flying RC in 1967 and served three years in the Navy during the Vietnam War on an aircraft carrier. This really enforced my love of flying. After the tour in the Navy, I started flying RC again and worked on my pilot’s license. I built three experimental aircraft, an RV3, RV4, and a Harmon Rocket, eventually logging approximately 4,600 hours of flight time in experimental aircraft.

After selling my last experimental airplane, I started flying RC turbines (jets) scale and sport. I was introduced to pattern flying by an old friend, Leon Roberson. I started with a Visa and progressed to an Oxai. At the present time, I enjoy flying a Galactik and an Acuracy bi-plane. Equipment includes the Futaba 18-channel transmitter, Steve Neu motors with Brenner Sharp contra drives, F3A Unlimited batteries and Castle speed controls. I’m currently working on finishing details on another Oxai 2-meter Galactik.

GB 3

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I think that pattern flying is a very challenging sport. The enormous amount of attention to detail, various required skill levels, and intricate mechanics of the planes is what keeps me interested and competitive. I would like to progress to the Advanced class and then to Masters.

GB 5


I’m currently not mentoring a specific pilot, but I truly enjoy and value the great camaraderie and friendships I was able to develop with so many NSRCA District 7 members. My home field is the Bear Mountain Sport Fliers at Arvin, and I practice three to four days a week with Steve Lampert, Leon Robison or Jim Oddino. I would love to see NSRCA mandate the use of digital scoring at all events!