What is R/C Flight?

Radio-Controlled (R/C for short) flight is the science and art of building and flying (and periodically even crashing) remotely-piloted model aircraft. Such aircraft are usually built out of balsa, light-plywood, fiberglass, and/or composite materials. They have wingspans ranging from 2 to 10+ feet and weigh anywhere from 1 lb (1/2 kg) to over 50 lbs (20 kg). An R/C plane is controlled by a somewhat large hand-held radio transmitter, the receiver lies in the airplane and the control surfaces are operated remotely by small servo motors mounted in the airframe itself. R/C planes cover the broad spectrum of actual aircraft -- there are Cessna look-alike training planes, biplanes, aerobatic sportsters, sailplanes, pylon and speed racers, even scale vintage WWI and WWII warbirds. Most powered R/C planes are propelled by nitro- or gasoline-based engines, but an increasing number of planes are sporting quiet and efficient electric motors for propulsion.

To learn more about RC flight, a nice resource is the RC FAQ.

About the Southern Arizona Modelers

The Southern Arizona Modelers (SAM) were founded in the 1970's as a departure from the existing RC clubs around Tucson. Since then, the membership has grown dramatically and the field has moved... yet the fun-seeking, low-key, just-go-out-and-fly attitude remains a SAM trademark. Check out our online photo gallery!

The officers of the club for 1999 are:

President: Marv Kea
Vice-President: Rick Scanlon
Treasurer: Carlos Rangel
Secretary: Howard Brown
Newsletter Editor: Craig Kulesa
Safety Officer: Bob Fitzgerald

The club currently has about 55 members active, and you can usually find many folks out flying their planes and helicopters at the field on any Sunday morning (although some fly at other times during the week).

Here's how to find us...

Come visit us and see what RC flying's all about!

Back to the SAM Home Page

These pages are constructed and maintained by Craig Kulesa, newsletter editor.

Last modified: Thu Nov 4 17:57:26 MST 1999