CENTRE HALL — State College Radio Control Club members flew all types of radio-controlled model aircraft, from slow-flying gliders and trainers to fast aerobatic planes and helicopters, during their Aug. 5 public open house. Guests were treated to this high-flying spectacle at the club’s Centre Airpark flying field.
SCRC president Jon Guizar flew a 1/3-scale model on an Extra 330 LT aerobatic plane. The model spans just under 9 feet, and is powered by a gasoline-fueled, two-stroke chainsaw-type engine. Guizar flies the plane in International Miniature Aerobatic Club competitions.
IMAC contests feature large models of real aerobatic planes flying predetermined sets of maneuvers mimicking those of full-scale planes. Model pilots are judged on their ability to make smooth and precise maneuvers, just like the pilots of regular aircraft. Guizar has earned several awards for his competition performances.
Also in the air were several powered gliders with nearly 6-foot wingspans. These planes use electric motors which take them to an altitude of about 400 feet, then the motors are turned off and the planes glide in search of rising air thermals to keep them aloft. With skill and a bit of luck, they can stay up for hours.
Trainer-type planes were flown, too, including several examples of the well-known Piper Cub. These planes are typical of what a beginner in the hobby can use to learn to fly.
In a previous interview, Guizar said the club is open to anyone with an interest in radio-controlled models, and the club has several members who serve as instructors for beginners. He noted the hobby has changed in recent years. “The younger people have grown up playing video games and using computer flight simulators, and they learn to fly quickly,” said Guizar.
The availability of pre-built ready-to-fly airplanes also has attracted newcomers to the hobby. Modern-day radios operate on the 2.4-gigahertz band with spread-spectrum technology. That allows many aircraft to fly simultaneously with no chance of interference, making the hobby safe and fun for all.
The State College Radio Control Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, or at their field in the summer months.
