10 Reasons To Join an RC Club
Spring is here, and you want to get outside and shake off the COVID fog; why don’t you join an RC Club?
Here are ten reasons why it makes sense:
The camaraderie of like-minded hobbyists. - Regardless of your level of commitment or time for the hobby, joining a club gets you the camaraderie of other flyers. Just the ability to interact with other like-minded pilots, being outside, enjoying others, and growing in the hobby. What could be better?
Learn from Others – I know our club has designated beginner nights where experienced pilots come out and help newer members or those interested in the hobby. The ability to Buddy-Box with an experienced pilot allows you to grow in confidence and reduce the worry of crashing that brand new plane.
There is something called latent learning, where you learn from watching others and can put that knowledge and skill to good use. Don’t discount the learning you get from watching others fly, asking questions, and getting those little tips that will significantly improve your flying.
You get to fly on a designated RC field. - Typically, the field is Academy of Model Aeronautics (“AMA”) https://www.modelaircraft.org/ certified and insured, has a designated runway (paved or grass), and the fields have areas to work and prep your planes. It beats flying at the local park out of the back of your car, worrying about the families playing, people walking…
Fun Flies – Fun Flys are events typically around a theme (warbirds, 3d planes, a give holidays) where the club shows up, and they have food and fly—a great way to meet fellow club members, learn and see the latest planes.
Insurance As a member of AMA, you and your fellow pilots are covered by AMA insurance. As of 2021, the current coverage is:
Liability Coverage for the Operation of Model Aircraft, Boats, Cars, and Rockets
$2,500,000 Comprehensive General Liability Protection for model activities for members, clubs, site owners, and sponsors
$25,000 Accident/Medical Coverage for members
$10,000 Maximum Accidental Death Coverage for members
$1,000 Fire, Theft, and Vandalism Coverage for members
Try before you buy – Unless you benefit from a local, well-stocked hobby shop, you are relegated to looking at planes, tools, etc., online. Wouldn’t it be great to see that plane in person? Someone at the club may already have it.
We all crash. I don’t know how many times I’m at the field and need a small part or tool, and someone has one. That can be the difference between flying and packing up to go home. The ability to share tools, repair and maintenance insights is fantastic.
Many clubs and fields are multi-discipline - (RC airplanes, Helicopters, and RC cars). Wouldn’t it be great to have all those facilities? The wind kicks up, and you can switch to cars. You might be interested in exploring helicopters, and you can walk over to the helli section and ask questions.
Charge me up, baby – most fields have a charging station. You need power to fly. Unless you stay up all night charging your batteries, the ability to charge while you fly will keep you in the air for much longer. And you don’t have batteries stored a full power which isn’t good for them.
One person’s discards are another’s Treasures - Ability to buy, swap planes, transmitters, etc. Wouldn’t you rather get a used plane or piece of gear from someone you know? Exactly!
I hope this helps, so get out there and find an RC Club to join. What are some benefits you see from your club?
Add them in the comments below.
2021-02-26-The RC Airplane Week in Review
This week’s RC update expands into drones, and we take it indoors.
The Signal Chasers RC Club in Missouri takes their flying indoors for the Winter. If you have the opportunity, this is a great way to hone your skills with built-in physical limitations.
Here in my own backyard, the US Airforce Museum hosted indoor Micro Drone Racing. The Museum (free admission) is a great way to spend a day.
The RcSaylors take up one of my favorite planes, the E-flite Turbo Timber. There are three versions of the Turbo Timber, and this is a great beginner plane. Flying the E-flite Turbo Timber - YOU WON’T BELIEVE What Happens during CRAZY RC PLANE SNOW FLIGHT!
Just a fun, inspirational watch from UNIQUE TECH WORLD. - It is always good to see what is out at the extremes, be it fastest, smallest or largest - Top 10 Biggest/Largest RC Airplanes In The World.
Happy Flying
6 Reasons Remote Control Cars are good for your Remote Control Airplane Club
Here are six reasons introducing Remote Control Cars to your RC Airplane Club is a great idea.
You can’t fly when it is too windy. When the winds pick up that is a great time to switch to RC cars. Either on a separate track or even on the runway, racing and driving cars is a great pastime when the winds pick up. RC Cars can extend the day and help build camaraderie amongst your club members.
Want to expose more people to the RC airplane hobby? Which means more dues-paying members for your club? Putting in an RC car track or facility will attract RC hobbies and while there are there expose them to RC airplanes. You can even have memberships that cover both or either hobby.
RC Cars are popular now, especially amongst kids. Introducing RC cars to your flying field will help expose kids to the RC airplane hobby. This is a great way to get kids into the RC hobby.
Adding an RC car track doesn’t take up that much space. Adding a track to your club grounds can be easy. A packed-dirt or clay track can be easily built and maintained. A little planning will ensure the race track is away from the flying field, so both can coexist.
RC races are a great way to bring revenue into your club. You can organize fly-ins but weekly races are popular and bring needed revenue into your club. More revenue equals more upgrades and better maintenance for the entire club grounds. Also, more people at the field equals more people exposed to RC airplanes.
People enter the RC airplane hobby for the enjoyment of flying, the technical nature of the technology, and the creativity towards flying and building planes. RC Cars bring the same creativity, technicality, and enjoyment. The thrill of racing and trying to beat your best lap time is awesome. RC cars are a great compliment.
If you are brainstorming ideas on expanding your club, bring up introducing RC cars at your next club meeting.