Katie Martin International Tribute

Who was Katie? For more than 25 years Katie Martin was well known in the model aviation industry for her enthusiasm and charm at events and trade shows throughout the country. She was also the first woman to fly RC in Costa Rica. She served as an AMA club president for two consecutive years, securing a flying site for that club in the Santa Fe Dam area in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles. She worked hard for various clubs in many roles including newsletter editor, and in 1988 was honored as the AMA National Newsletter Editor of the Year. She also was awarded as “Hawk of the Year,” by the Desert Hawks Club as the member who made the most impact on the club that year.

“First Lady Katie” Martin.

Her inspiration led to the formation of Bob Martin RC Models in the mid 1970s when she asked for a Hobie Hawk. Katie’s husband Bob Martin obtained the rights to continue to produce the Hobie Hawk and also designed many other popular RC gliders in the 1970s and 1980s including the SR-7, Coyote, Bobcat, and others. Katie unfortunately passed away in 2010 as a result of a heart issue. Ever since her passing, we enjoy flying vintage RC sailplanes together at the Katie Martin International Tribute at the historic Torrey Pines Gliderport in her honor and to raise money for the American Heart Association. This annual 1-day event in early June includes a special tribute flight for Katie using her Hobie Hawk and with some of her ashes epoxied into the nose of the model. A nice video that details the history of this event can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOrxS4-q584

Katie Martin launching a Katie II prototype RC glider.

Katie was all about having fun and enjoying the sport, therefore in line with that attitude, this event is open to all RC sailplanes regardless of manufacturer or type. It is an open fly-in; the only rules are those of safety. We openly welcome fliers from all over to come fly at this legendary site and fly vintage RC sailplanes in tribute to Katie Martin, slope soaring pioneer.

Katie Martin launching a Bob Martin SR-7.