Air Show spectators
Alan Friedman
A generous Tucson area hobbyist who heard about the charity work the Casa Grande RC Flyers does, made a donation of all of his aircraft and supplies to the club, which is an Arizona nonprofit corporation and a chartered club with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). Lynn Eldred contacted the club president and Robson Ranch resident, Alan Friedman, after reading about the club’s charity work, and met him at the club airfield with his vehicle loaded with airplanes, transmitters, helicopters, battery chargers, and other RC supplies. Lynn, who is giving up the hobby for medical reasons, stated he wanted to help the Casa Grande club with their charitable efforts.
Each winter, from November through March, the club holds major events supporting area charities at their airfield. The public is always invited to watch the flying, take a free model airplane flying lesson, try first-person view goggles, enjoy area food vendors, and browse the swap meet. On occasion, area RC (remote control) vendors attend and display their special products. The events are always free for the public to enjoy and attend. Many Robson Ranch residents attend and enjoy the events with several also joining the club.
This next season’s events include Nov. 13, National Model Aviation Day Celebration benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Sun Corridor; Dec. 11, The Food Bank Fly-In benefiting the Casa Grande Food Bank; Jan. 8, 2022, PINAL Fly-In benefitting the Pets In Need Action League; Feb. 12, 2022, The Fly-In For Pets benefiting the Valley Humane Society; and finally on March 12, 2022, the eighth annual Air Show benefiting Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona.
The award-winning club facilities include two paved runways with a third runway currently under construction, a radio control car race track and drag race track, an onsite weather station with remote access, spectator bleachers for more than 100 guests, a drone and helicopter pad with special flying area, a separate swap meet area, and much more.
More information about the club, their charitable efforts and their public events can be found on their website at casagrandercflyers.com. The club has received several awards and honors from the AMA for their club airfield, their community involvement, and their club activities.