Robbins soldier finds great customer service through Oakboro, gains new heli

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Apr 10, 2009 (The Stanly News & Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WIGN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The owners of a Stanly County hobby store are glad to have been the medium through which a fortunate customer received a special gift.

Tom Hill and his wife, Betty, have operated Wings, Inc. Herbs, Hobbies and Gifts in Oakboro since it opened in the mid-90's in the Food Lion shopping center. Since then, it has moved to its current location at the stoplight on North Main Street, which serves as the base for business both physical and online, selling a variety of hobby products and other items.

One recent customer was Kevin Lansdowne, a resident of Robbins, which is nestled 55 miles north of Oakboro in Moore County.

Lansdowne, 47, recently retired from the Army after 29 years of service. He began his career as a helicopter mechanic, which eventually led to his career in flying planes and helicopters in various places all over the world.

A native of upstate New York, Lansdowne was last stationed at Fort Bragg and most recently completed four rotations in Iraq and two rotations in Afghanistan. From there, he, his wife and daughters settled in Robbins.

A while back, he purchased a radio controlled helicopter, known to hobbyists as a "heli," to share with his daughters and hopefully keep their interests in aviation alive.

"I purchased (the heli) because my two daughters and I wanted to learn how to fly them," Lansdowne said.

Lansdowne was away from home when the heli arrived, and upon returning, he opened the packaging, only to discover that nothing worked -- even straight out of the box.

After searching for nearby repair companies, Lansdowne stumbled upon Wings and immediately brought the heli to Oakboro.

Store owner Tom Hill knew that he had two options when it came to repairing the heli: repairing it in-store, or shipping it to Horizon Hobby, Inc., a top distributor of hobby products.

After realizing that he could not repair the heli, he sent it to Horizon along with a letter making the company aware of Lansdowne's service to the country.

"My customers are my friends," said Hill, 57, who is very much a people person, and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the hobby sector.

Though he began flying in 1987, Hill's initial aviation experience began in his 20s, when he would hang glide near the North Carolina mountains.

"Let's just say I climbed down trees I never climbed up," he said.

Though Hill said he still enjoys flying every now and then, he delights in flying at his RC airfield along with a local RC club, the Rocky River Flying Aces. Hill has also presented indoor flying demonstrations at West Stanly High School gym for the Jr. ROTC.

"Since I opened this store, it has helped me to learn people very well. I try to remember most of my customer's names, though I never forget their faces," Hill said.

A short while after drafting his letter, Hill received good news from Horizon in its response.

The company had made a decision to reward Landowne with a Blade CP Pro RF Electric Micro Helicopter, which is manufactured by E-flite.

"I'm humbled by this experience," said Lansdowne as he was presented with the novelty.

"I never expected someone to do this.

"I'm surprised and glad to see that people still support the military."

Lansdowne is confident that this heli will work out for him and his daughters. His eldest daughter, Lauren, a sophomore at North Carolina State University, feels that flying is in her blood, and hopes to fly full scale.

"I can't go on without knowing how to," she said.

Dexter Hinson can be contacted by email at snaponline21@carolina.rr.com.

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