Pilots inspect their plane before a flight at the Arizona Electric Festival.
The difference between men and boys is the size of their toys.
A pilot and his spotter fly a smaller aircraft on a typical day at a field.
Alan Friedman
The membership of the Casa Grande RC Flyers continues to grow significantly after the paving of the access road to the club’s airfield and the repaving of the club runway. Also the interest in the Robson RC Club has increased with the addition of radio controlled car racing. Both clubs are benefitting from area resident interest in outdoor hobbies involving radio controlled airplanes and autos. The Casa Grande RC Flyers membership, which includes many Robson Ranch residents, is one of the largest and most active AMA clubs in the valley. The Casa Grande club is also considering the addition of a race track to their eleven acre site across from the city shooting range. The board will review that option at their next meeting and bring it up to the membership at their planned December dinner meeting in Casa Grande. Many members already have expressed interest.
Now that the road to the club field is paved and the runway is one of the best in the valley, the club is looking at other improvements to their field. Under consideration are bleachers to accommodate the ever increasing number of spectators and sun shades over the flight tables. If the board approves the addition of an RC car race track, additional parking spaces will be cleared to the north of the current parking lot. Many times the current lot is filled to capacity requiring visitors to park in the street during the many club events.
As for flying, club members have use of the airfield any day they desire, however those looking for the company of fellow flyers tend to fly on Saturday mornings over the summer months. Because of the heat, flying usually starts about one hour after sunrise and finishes two hours later on most Saturdays. Visitors are welcome to watch the pilots fly all kinds of model aircraft including helicopters, sailplanes, jets, biplanes and regular fixed wing models. The club members also enjoy answering questions from visiting guests. There are currently benches at the club field, free parking and toilet facilities. The Casa Grande RC Flyers club and their flying field should not be confused with the club or flying and auto racing area located within Robson Ranch. Directions to the Casa Grande RC Flyers field are found on the club website: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.
Membership in the club 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. Membership in the Academy Of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is required because AMA membership provides the pilot with the required liability 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 other area AMA club activities. For more information, contact Alan Friedman, the club president and AMA Associate District vice president, at his Robson Ranch home or visit the club website: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com.