Junior Oscar Cytrynowicz takes a win for sixth place in the World’s Radio Controlled (RC) Sailplane flying competition held in Argentina.
“We got about four or five hours to just drive around the city and then drive around the countryside and then get to the airport, it was fun,” Cytrynowicz says.
Cytrynowicz began getting into sailplane flying in 2015 and has grown to enjoy it very well. He was featured in an article last April, which explored his enjoyment of RC sailplane flying.
Cytrynowicz explains his different sailplanes and some of his favorites.
“My favorite plane is the one for the class I just did. It is what is known as a Volo…it is a four meter wingspan; 12 foot wingspan, electric sailplane.”
During the competition in Argentina, Cytrynowicz first observed the air for the best launch spot. Then he used a motor for thirty seconds to reach a low altitude, which he must keep, or he will lose points. Afterwards, he must fly for ten minutes then reach the landing tape that is about 15 feet long.
Cytrynowicz still plans to continue his flying in college. He discusses how he would preferably take some of his smaller aircrafts because they can travel easier due to their ability to disassemble and reassemble.
“That would be me probably going out to a field on campus and having fun as long as they don’t get mad, and just going to glider clubs nearby,” Cytrynowicz explains.
Cytrynowicz has many passions, as he finds interest in geology, viola, sailplane flying, and traveling during his competitions.
”I feel like some people have one passion, but I feel like Oscar has like ten passions,” says Dan Dannahower, a STEM teacher who had Oscar in his STEM Survey and Seminar classes.
Dannahower has noticed how Cytrynowicz greatest strength is how he works to keep a good mindset and pushes to complete work.
“He has worked with a bunch of different people in different groups before and he just kind of seems to get along with whoever he is working with. He is very focused on what needs to happen a lot of times so he is not worried about drama or anything… he is a great collaborator,” Dannahower says.
Cytrynowicz puts in the work to be better and continue to grow in everything he does.
“He is so willing to ask questions, learn more, test new things out, he’s willing to take risks a lot of times. Both like socially and in building and you know in engineering and stuff,” Dannahower states.
Cytrynowicz expresses his enjoyment in meeting new people during his competitions as his favorite part. During this competition, Cytrynowicz had a memorable experience having a mid air collision with a German opponent, which ended in a new friendship.
He left Argentina with his new friend’s signature on the broken wing, which was repaired after returning home. Cytrynowicz had surprisingly already met this new friends’ brother and previously traded jerseys.
“Sometimes we will trade jerseys with friends we meet, I didn’t trade jerseys with him I was out of jerseys to trade. I think he was too,” says Cytrynowicz.
“Honestly, I think just being there was a celebration. To quote my Dad, ’Look where you are, you’ve already won,’ ” Cytrynowicz states.
Cytrynowicz was in Argentina to meet new people, fly, and just experience all of it.
