Flying High
If you have a love of all things aeronautic you may be interested in joining Warminster & District Radio Control Flying Club, which flies at Keevil Airfield.
Warminster & District Radio Control Flying Club was started by a group of enthusiasts in 1952 when equipment was very basic but extremely expensive. Today, the club, flying at Keevil Airfield under licence agreement with the MOD, uses sophisticated radio gear and a plethora of aircraft. Members come from all over the west of Wiltshire.
Experienced and novice alike fly with the club. New members can be helped by an instructor with a “buddy box” system whereby two transmitters are linked so the instructor can take over in the event of an impending mishap; a bit like dual controls in a car. Advice on suitable equipment is also given to newcomers so the risk of purchasing unsuitable equipment or planes is reduced.
The club is lucky to count in its membership, modellers with exceptional skills, both in building planes and flying. To see some scale models both on the ground and flying is like watching the real thing. Several club members take part as display pilots at national shows, flying models including WWI biplanes and also in competitions for aerobatic and scale flying.
Club members fly powered fixed wing, motorised gliders and helicopters. In addition, some members, with a great deal of experience, fly jets. These are scale models of real aircraft, usually fighters, with actual jet turbine engines which sound, and smell, just like the real thing. Jets are for the few, but most members fly electric or internal combustion powered planes.
The aim of the club is for those interested in model flying to enjoy the hobby in fresh air and with good company. Newcomers are made most welcome and, hopefully, enjoy the hobby as much as the existing members. Club evenings, with guest speakers, are held through the winter and social events including barbecues also take place. If you feel you would like to be part of this fascinating hobby, see the club’s website for more information and contact details.
• wdrcfc.org.uk
