Tewksbury Hidden Gem: Ogonowski Memorial Model Flying Field

The Capt. John A. Ogonowski Memorial Model Flying Field on Pinnacle St. is home to the 495th R/C Squadron and a great place to have a picnic and watch some impressive radio-controlled aircraft.

The field is named for Captain John A. Ogonowski, who was piloting American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to New York on Sept. 11, 2001. Ogonowski was part of a farming family that still tills fields in Dracut; Ogonowski Farm provides mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and hay bales direct to the public from a roadside stand and to retail outlets throughout the Merrimack Valley. And the flying field is not Ogonowski’s only remembrance: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Farmer-to-Farmer program, which provides technical assistance to farmers in developing and transitional countries, was named in his honor.

Directly across from the flying field is the entrance to the Pinnacle St. trail, which offers an easy one mile loop or a more challenging hike right through to the Pines Cemetery and beyond. The land is owned by the Tewksbury State Hospital.

Residents interested in piloting a radio-controlled aircraft at the field need to join the 495th R/C Squadron. The group provides flight training and plane-building advice to aspiring R/C aircraft pilots at the field every Thursday night and Sunday afternoon during the spring and summer months. There are also fun family events in June.

Not into planes? The field hosts a 100′ x 80′ oval track for 1/10 scale cars and trucks, for the use of members and guests. There is a car-only membership available.