Casa Grande RC Flyers grows

Club members setting up for a swap meet last winter in the early morning.

Club members setting up for a swap meet last winter in the early morning.

Alan Friedman

With the current membership at 126 flyers as of October 1, the Casa Grande RC Flyers embarked on a membership drive. The club offered new members a chance to win a new Mulitplex Merlin aircraft when they joined by November 30. Also, if they had already paid their 2015 Academy Of Model Aeronautics dues at the time of joining, their Casa Grande RC Flyers membership would not expire until the end of 2015. The club expects its membership to grow substantially. That is because they are the only club in the area with a paved runway, scheduled swap meets and fun fly events to allow both gas and electric aircraft and to have area hobby shops give their members discounts up to 15%.

Although members have field access anytime they desire, Robson residents can expect to see flying every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday starting at about 9:00 a.m. Club swap meets and fun fly events are on the second Saturday of each month. The club’s monthly swap meets have food and beverage service, free parking, toilet facilities and hobby shop vendors who offer special discounts during the events. Also at the same time the club holds flying contests (called Fun Flys) where prizes are awarded. These contests are fun to watch. A schedule of the club events can be seen on their club website.

Many Robson Ranch residents enjoy watching the club events and are welcome to join us again. Remember to bring a lawn chair when visiting the field to watch the flying in case all the benches are occupied. The Casa Grande RC Flyers and their flying field should not be confused with the field and club located within Robson Ranch. Some residents reported going to the Robson field in error when trying to attend Casa Grande RC Flyers’ events. Directions to the Casa Grande RC Flyers field are found on the club website at www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.

Membership in the Casa Grande RC Flyers is open to anyone wanting to fly or learn to fly radio controlled aircraft, regardless of their residence. Free lessons are offered by any of eight AMA certified instructors. The first year club dues are $40 per calendar year, and renewal dues are $25 annually. Membership in the Academy Of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is required because AMA membership provides the pilot with the required insurance coverage. Details about both the AMA and the Casa Grande RC Flyers are on the club website, as well as a list of all club activities and for other area AMA clubs. Club members also receive discounts up to 15% on purchases in area hobby shops when their membership card is presented.

The Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Arizona non-profit cooperation dedicated to exposing the joy of flying to the public and giving back to the community by supporting worthwhile charities. For more information about the club contact Alan Friedman, the club president, at his Robson Ranch home or visit the club website: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.