Now let’s talk more about this dome we flew in. It is a new structure that is now owned and operated by The River Valley Regional YMCA. As just mentioned, Dan Johnson is the Director of the Dome Facility. The dome is officially called the Generations Sports Complex whose address (for GPS purposes) is: 2360 Lycoming Mall Road, Muncy, PA 17756.

 The sign that greets arrivals – and there is more than enough parking!

From the approach highway on nearby I-180, I was able to take this photo looking down at the dome:

This is a closer view as you enter the parking lot. It is a truly large structure.

Inside the incredibly large dome. Many of the domes we fly in are normally intended for indoor golf practice. The Columbus Ohio  dome is like that and the floor area tends to be somewhat square measuring 330 feet by 270 (89,100 square feet). But the  Generation Sports Dome in PA was designed for indoor football and soccer, for which several sports events can go on simultaneously. The floor size in this case is 200 feet wide, but get this --- 600 feet long! Ceiling height at top dead center is approx. 85 feet. This is a photo taken at one end, looking towards the other end 600 feet away:

There is about a 15 feet wide poured concrete path all around the inside of the dome, surrounding the artificial turf. There are many benches provided, but no tables, so the message for the future is clear: bring your own folding table and any folding chairs.

You can see the netting in this photo:

The 600 feet length is actually divided into three sections. A floor to ceiling net is located 150 feet in from both ends. That leaves a 300 feet section in the center. On one end is the E-3D area. At the other end is the micro flying area and in the center is the larger area intended for the parking lot type models up to approx. one pound in weight. With this type arrangement the micro fliers were well protected from all other aircraft. This made for relaxed flying of these micro size/weight aircraft.

In the above photo you can see three of my aircraft (at left, NANO-IMPULSE – September 2008 RCMW; in the center, the Pilatus Porter (Fall 2008 BackYard Flyer) and at the right, the MINI-IMPULSE – March 2008 RCMW). All are lined up close to the poured concrete short wall the surrounds the entire interior of the dome. On top of this wall is electrical conduiting and outlet boxes so that you can conveniently plug in your chargers. Not all the outlets worked this first time around, but I suspect by next year they will all be “live”.