Drone photo from Alan Friedman
2018, Year Of Many Changes For CG RC Flyers
The last 12 months have brought many changes to the Casa
Grande RC Flyers field at 2725 S. Isom Road, across from the public shooting
range. The membership has grown tremendously
which allowed for the club board of directors to authorize a large number of
major improvements at the field.
Last January, the club purchased a remoter weather station
which allows club members as well as users of the public and police shooting
ranges, to see the “real time” conditions at the air field. The city was gracious enough to provide a
flag pole on which to mount the station.
Then, over the summer, the club president, Alan Friedman, filed the
necessary documents to apply for building permits which allowed for two other
major improvements. The first being the
construction of two stainless steel sun shades over some of the pilot
tables. The second being the addition of
a large steel storage unit in which to house the club’s safety gear like first
aid supplies and fire extinguishing equipment.
At he same time that the city approved the building permits, the City
Council approved an increase to the weight limit for aircraft used at the field
from 10 pounds to 20 pounds. That change
allowed the use of larger aircraft including more helicopters and drones.
Thanks to a donation by the former Palm Creek flying club,
the club installed an additional runway.
The donated petromat runway accommodates aircraft with smaller wheels or
aircraft that land on their belly, without the use of landing gear. Also, as requested by the club membership,
the club now has120-volt AC power which can be used by the members who fly
electric aircraft to charge their airplane batteries. It can also be used power the club’s power
tools, which maintain the field infrastructure.
Lastly the club has added many events for the enjoyment and
benefit of the public and area charities.
The most recent being weekly “combat” airplane dogfights on Thursday
mornings and a new “Fly In For Hospice” which will take place the second
Saturday in January. Over the last six
years the Casa Grande RC Flyers has also raised funds, and provided needed
items to charities such as the Casa Grande Food Bank, The Wounded Warrior
Project and the Valley Humane Society.
The Casa Grande RC Flyers is an Arizona non-profit
corporation chartered to promote interest in model aviation and give back to
the Casa Grande community. They have
also provided classes at area schools and 4-H groups to teach the principals of
flight and provide free instruction to anyone wanting to learn to fly model
aircraft. The Casa Grande RC Flyers is
an AMA “Gold Level Leader Club” which is the highest award the AMA can bestow
to a chartered club. Individuals can
learn more about this wonderful club and find directions to their airfield by viewing
the club web site at www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com
