Coachella Valley Radio Control Club
Encyclopedia
The Coachella Valley Radio Control Club is based near Coachella
in Riverside County, California
, U.S.. It is one of the oldest model aircraft
clubs in the United States, one of the oldest non-profit service organizations in continuous existence in the Coachella Valley
and one of the few Academy of Model Aeronautics
gold-certified clubs in the country. It is also the host field of the "Best In The West Jet Rally," a national gathering of model jet turbine enthusiasts.
"Gold certification" means that the club has met certain strict guidelines of safety requirements within the AMA rules as well as a high degree of both safety and quality regarding the facility itself.
model aircraft enthusiasts began meeting on a weekly basis at the now-defunct La Quinta
Airport. That site, between Eisenhower Drive and Washington Street south of Avenue 52, is today a part of the La Quinta Cove residential district. It lies almost directly at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains
, is prone to sudden high winds and, in the case of the hobbyists, the resulting loss of models.
The onset of World War II
in 1941 brought the practice to a temporary halt, resuming after the war at other open sites around the area. The immediate postwar era would see three major developments in the hobby, namely the development of control line
flying, small nitromethane
-powered glow
engines and early, single-channel radio control
. The latter took advantage of another postwar development, that of citizen's band radio. Model aircraft were allocated only one frequency, 27.255 MHz, meaning only one plane could fly at any given time. These early advances insured that the club would continue to grow, with hobbyists meeting at almost any open area that was available at the time.
On May 9, 1999, the club organized their first formal meeting in literally years to discuss its future. Presidency of the club was offered to Dan Metz, a radio control enthusiast who had flown with the club for fifteen years. Metz agreed to serve for the next three years, agreeing to step down if he was unable to procure a permanent site; he has since returned to his duties as president. Metz began by soliciting local municipal governments, but the areas offered had problems such as excessive wind, access problems and noise concerns. Another member, Ron Vincent, offered his help. Vincent had assisted in procuring land and building a site in his native Oregon
and contacted the United States Bureau of Reclamation
regarding the possible use of federal land. These sites had problems of their own, primarily because of Desert Bighorn Sheep
Habitat incursion and encroachment on Native American
land.
The Bureau eventually offered a site encompassing 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) - or one square kilometer - alongside the All-American Canal
in an unincorporated area off Avenue 54 and Pierce Street near Coachella. The site not only had ideal flying conditions, but an ideal arrangement as well with an initial twenty-five-year lease at only US$1 per year with renewal options for another twenty-five years at the lease's expiration.
Much work remained as the site was littered with garbage, wrecked automobiles and discarded tires. Metz began telling his story in earnest and before long, donations from developers and large corporations began coming in. Members donated money, furniture and the monumental amount of labor needed to clear and develop the site. Member Larry Eaks, a wheelchair user, actually drove the water truck necessary to reduce the amount of very fine particulate matter thrown into the air during construction.
The 600'x70' (183x21m) runway, pit area and parking area were completed in May 2002. A combination control line and helicopter pad was added in late 2007 when the stretch of Avenue 54 leading to the property was paved by the county; the pad may also be used by slow-flying park flyer
s. A flagpole was added to the area next to the dedication plaque in 2008 and was dedicated with a flag which had flown over the United States Capitol
and which was donated to the club by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack. Since the club is located on public land, maintenance is conducted in part by the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Other maintenance and operational costs are offset by annual dues of US$150 or a one-time lifetime due of $1000 for full-time members or $15 month-to-month for the many seasonal visitors who use the facility.
and are built over full-sized plans in the same manner as a larger model plane. A friendly competition is held to see whose Delta Dart will fly the farthest. Younger children can participate in the construction of "catapult gliders." These are made of sheet balsa stock and are more easily assembled. These are launched in much the same way as firing a slingshot, i.e., by attaching the nose of the glider to a rubber band on a wooden handle, pulling back and letting go. At the high school level, the club works with each school's ROTC program to promote careers in aviation and aeronautics and works closely with students who have demonstrated an interest in same. "Fun Flys" are held throughout the year, generally one Sunday per month; guests with no previous radio controlled flight experience can actually fly a large, easy to see and very stable model via a buddy box
at that time. At least one Fun Fly near the end of the year is held as a fundraiser for Toys for Tots
. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club is also the site of the "Best In The West Jet Rally," a national meeting of model jet turbine enthusiasts which in turn receives national press coverage in Model Aviation
, the monthly publication of the AMA. One of the most notable participants in the 2008 event was Colonel Robert E. Thacker
, USAF (Ret.) who entered his F-15
, capable of speeds up to 150 miles per hour (241.4 km/h). A 35 feet (10.7 m) extension was added to the north end of the runway and a 30 feet (9.1 m) extension added to the south end in January 2009 to better accommodate the "Best in the West" event.
The January 2009 running of the "Best in the West" would see national sponsorship for the first time. Sponsors included model manufacturers E-flite, Cermark and Century Jet Models along with modeling adhesives manufacturer Bob Smith Industries. Detailed coverage of the event appeared in the August 2009 edition of Model Aviation.
Other offsite work includes charity flight demonstrations and Delta Dart contests at the Palm Springs Air Museum
and both flight demonstrations and public presence at the Jacqueline Cochran
Regional Air Show at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport
in nearby Thermal
.
Negotiations are presently underway with the owner of an unused turf farm in Vista Santa Rosa for use of the property for model aviation. The farm would serve both as a second club field and as a site for community outreach projects. At present, there are only two other fields in the area. One is a private, manicured grass runway maintained by a club member on his date orchard near Vista Santa Rosa and available for use by club members. The other is an AMA sanctioned, manicured grass field used as event grounds and overflow parking at non-denominational Southwest Community Church in Palm Desert
. The field's proximity to an elementary school, residential area and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden immediately next to the property limit its use to electric-powered models because of concerns regarding noise. Negotiations had been underway with the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the use of their similar grassy area, but liability concerns raised by the facility's legal representatives stalled the talks.
Club members and guests who operate model aircraft at the club's field are required to hold current AMA membership in addition to club membership; seasonal visitors from Canada whether club members or flying guests must hold current MAAC
membership. No AMA membership is required to participate in "buddy box" activities with an experienced instructor.
Coachella, California
Coachella is a city in Riverside County, California; it is the easternmost city in the region collectively known as the Coachella Valley...
in Riverside County, California
Riverside County, California
Riverside County is a county in the U.S. state of California. One of 58 California counties, it covers in the southern part of the state, and stretches from Orange County to the Colorado River, which forms the state border with Arizona. The county derives its name from the city of Riverside,...
, U.S.. It is one of the oldest model aircraft
Model aircraft
Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft using a variety of materials including plastic, diecast metal, polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass...
clubs in the United States, one of the oldest non-profit service organizations in continuous existence in the Coachella Valley
Coachella Valley
Coachella Valley is a large valley landform in Southern California. The valley extends for approximately 45 miles in Riverside County southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains to the saltwater Salton Sea, the largest lake in California...
and one of the few Academy of Model Aeronautics
Academy of Model Aeronautics
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, based in Muncie, Indiana, USA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of model aviation as a recognized sport as well as a recreational activity. It is the largest organization of its kind with a current membership of more than 170,000...
gold-certified clubs in the country. It is also the host field of the "Best In The West Jet Rally," a national gathering of model jet turbine enthusiasts.
"Gold certification" means that the club has met certain strict guidelines of safety requirements within the AMA rules as well as a high degree of both safety and quality regarding the facility itself.
Early history
The club traces its roots to 1938 when a loose-knit group of free flightFree flight (model aircraft)
The segment of model aviation known as free flight is the original form of the aeromodeling hobby, extending back centuries.- Description :...
model aircraft enthusiasts began meeting on a weekly basis at the now-defunct La Quinta
La Quinta, California
La Quinta is a resort city in Riverside County, California, USA, specifically in the Coachella Valley between Indian Wells and Indio. The population was 37,467 at the 2010 census, up from 23,694 at the 2000 census. The Robb Report credits La Quinta as the nation's leading golf destination...
Airport. That site, between Eisenhower Drive and Washington Street south of Avenue 52, is today a part of the La Quinta Cove residential district. It lies almost directly at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains
Santa Rosa Mountains
Santa Rosa Mountains may refer to the following mountains in the United States of America:*Santa Rosa Mountains *Santa Rosa Mountains Other similar names include*The Santa Rosa Range in northern Nevada...
, is prone to sudden high winds and, in the case of the hobbyists, the resulting loss of models.
The onset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1941 brought the practice to a temporary halt, resuming after the war at other open sites around the area. The immediate postwar era would see three major developments in the hobby, namely the development of control line
Control line
Control line is a simple and light way of controlling a flying model aircraft. The aircraft is connected to the operator by a pair of lines, attached to a handle, that work the elevator of the model. This allows the model to be controlled in the pitch axis...
flying, small nitromethane
Nitromethane
Nitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent...
-powered glow
Glow plug (model engine)
A glow plug is a device, similar to a spark plug, used to help ignite the fuel in the very small internal combustion engines typically used in model aircraft, model cars and similar applications...
engines and early, single-channel radio control
Radio control
Radio control is the use of radio signals to remotely control a device. The term is used frequently to refer to the control of model vehicles from a hand-held radio transmitter...
. The latter took advantage of another postwar development, that of citizen's band radio. Model aircraft were allocated only one frequency, 27.255 MHz, meaning only one plane could fly at any given time. These early advances insured that the club would continue to grow, with hobbyists meeting at almost any open area that was available at the time.
Later development
By the early 1990s, the central and western areas of the Coachella Valley were growing at a record pace. Many of the club's previous flying fields were either built over or were considered private property. Finding areas that were free of interference from buildings and power lines was becoming increasingly more difficult. 1992 saw the club's move to their fifteenth official site with the lease of undeveloped land at Avenue 58 and Monroe Street in the unincorporated Vista Santa Rosa area.On May 9, 1999, the club organized their first formal meeting in literally years to discuss its future. Presidency of the club was offered to Dan Metz, a radio control enthusiast who had flown with the club for fifteen years. Metz agreed to serve for the next three years, agreeing to step down if he was unable to procure a permanent site; he has since returned to his duties as president. Metz began by soliciting local municipal governments, but the areas offered had problems such as excessive wind, access problems and noise concerns. Another member, Ron Vincent, offered his help. Vincent had assisted in procuring land and building a site in his native Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and contacted the United States Bureau of Reclamation
United States Bureau of Reclamation
The United States Bureau of Reclamation , and formerly the United States Reclamation Service , is an agency under the U.S...
regarding the possible use of federal land. These sites had problems of their own, primarily because of Desert Bighorn Sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is a subspecies of Bighorn Sheep that occurs in the desert Southwest regions of the United States and in the northern regions of Mexico. The trinomial of this species commemorates the American naturalist Edward William Nelson...
Habitat incursion and encroachment on Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
land.
The Bureau eventually offered a site encompassing 240 acre (0.9712464 km²) - or one square kilometer - alongside the All-American Canal
All-American Canal
The All-American Canal is an long aqueduct, located in southeastern California. It conveys water from the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley and to nine cities. It is the Imperial Valley's only water source, and replaced the Alamo Canal, which was located mostly in Mexico...
in an unincorporated area off Avenue 54 and Pierce Street near Coachella. The site not only had ideal flying conditions, but an ideal arrangement as well with an initial twenty-five-year lease at only US$1 per year with renewal options for another twenty-five years at the lease's expiration.
Much work remained as the site was littered with garbage, wrecked automobiles and discarded tires. Metz began telling his story in earnest and before long, donations from developers and large corporations began coming in. Members donated money, furniture and the monumental amount of labor needed to clear and develop the site. Member Larry Eaks, a wheelchair user, actually drove the water truck necessary to reduce the amount of very fine particulate matter thrown into the air during construction.
The 600'x70' (183x21m) runway, pit area and parking area were completed in May 2002. A combination control line and helicopter pad was added in late 2007 when the stretch of Avenue 54 leading to the property was paved by the county; the pad may also be used by slow-flying park flyer
Park flyer
thumb|250px|This [[Grand Wing Servo-Tech]] [[GWS Slow Stick|Slow Stick]] is an example of an indoor/outdoor park flyerThe term park flyer denotes a class of small, primarily electric powered radio controlled aircraft, so named because their size enables some of them to be operated within the...
s. A flagpole was added to the area next to the dedication plaque in 2008 and was dedicated with a flag which had flown over the United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
and which was donated to the club by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack. Since the club is located on public land, maintenance is conducted in part by the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Other maintenance and operational costs are offset by annual dues of US$150 or a one-time lifetime due of $1000 for full-time members or $15 month-to-month for the many seasonal visitors who use the facility.
The club today
The Coachella Valley Radio Control Club as a 501(c)(3) organization works closely with the area's school districts via its "Delta Dart" program which teaches young children the basics of flight as well as the basis of model construction. Delta Darts, provided by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, are rubber band-powered free flight models made of balsaBalsa
Ochroma pyramidale, commonly known as the balsa tree , is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is a large, fast-growing tree that can grow up to tall. It is the source of balsa wood, a very lightweight material with many uses...
and are built over full-sized plans in the same manner as a larger model plane. A friendly competition is held to see whose Delta Dart will fly the farthest. Younger children can participate in the construction of "catapult gliders." These are made of sheet balsa stock and are more easily assembled. These are launched in much the same way as firing a slingshot, i.e., by attaching the nose of the glider to a rubber band on a wooden handle, pulling back and letting go. At the high school level, the club works with each school's ROTC program to promote careers in aviation and aeronautics and works closely with students who have demonstrated an interest in same. "Fun Flys" are held throughout the year, generally one Sunday per month; guests with no previous radio controlled flight experience can actually fly a large, easy to see and very stable model via a buddy box
Buddy box
Buddy box or buddy boxing is a colloquialism referring to two R/C aircraft radio systems joined together for pilot training purposes.This training system is universal among the five major R/C radio manufacturers which means that transmitters do not have to be the same brand in order to be joined...
at that time. At least one Fun Fly near the end of the year is held as a fundraiser for Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club is also the site of the "Best In The West Jet Rally," a national meeting of model jet turbine enthusiasts which in turn receives national press coverage in Model Aviation
Model Aviation
This article is about a periodical. For information on the history of model aircraft, please see Model aircraft.Model Aviation is the monthly full-color publication written, prepared and distributed by the Academy of Model Aeronautics beginning in 1936 and established as an independent publication...
, the monthly publication of the AMA. One of the most notable participants in the 2008 event was Colonel Robert E. Thacker
Robert E. Thacker
Colonel Robert E. Thacker, USAF is a retired test pilot, a lifelong model aircraft enthusiast and designer, one of the few pilots in history to do two tours of duty in two different theaters of operation in World War II and the holder of a number of aviation records.Thacker's interest in...
, USAF (Ret.) who entered his F-15
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, capable of speeds up to 150 miles per hour (241.4 km/h). A 35 feet (10.7 m) extension was added to the north end of the runway and a 30 feet (9.1 m) extension added to the south end in January 2009 to better accommodate the "Best in the West" event.
The January 2009 running of the "Best in the West" would see national sponsorship for the first time. Sponsors included model manufacturers E-flite, Cermark and Century Jet Models along with modeling adhesives manufacturer Bob Smith Industries. Detailed coverage of the event appeared in the August 2009 edition of Model Aviation.
Other offsite work includes charity flight demonstrations and Delta Dart contests at the Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm springs air museum
The Palm Springs Air Museum, is a non-profit educational institution in Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. The Museum's mission is to exhibit, educate and eternalize the role of the World War II combat aircraft and the role the pilots and American citizens had in winning the war...
and both flight demonstrations and public presence at the Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran
Jacqueline Cochran was a pioneer American aviator, considered to be one of the most gifted racing pilots of her generation...
Regional Air Show at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport
Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport is a public airport located in Thermal, California, 20 miles southeast of Palm Springs.Built during World War II and used by both the US Army and US Navy, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport has had several name changes. As a civilian facility, it was called...
in nearby Thermal
Thermal, California
Thermal is a census-designated place located approximately 25 miles southeast of Palm Springs and about 9.5 miles north of the Salton Sea. Although one can find sunny skies most days, residents occasionally endure strong winds and sizzling summer temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The...
.
Negotiations are presently underway with the owner of an unused turf farm in Vista Santa Rosa for use of the property for model aviation. The farm would serve both as a second club field and as a site for community outreach projects. At present, there are only two other fields in the area. One is a private, manicured grass runway maintained by a club member on his date orchard near Vista Santa Rosa and available for use by club members. The other is an AMA sanctioned, manicured grass field used as event grounds and overflow parking at non-denominational Southwest Community Church in Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately east of Palm Springs. The population was 48,445 at the 2010 census, up from 41,155 at the 2000 census...
. The field's proximity to an elementary school, residential area and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden immediately next to the property limit its use to electric-powered models because of concerns regarding noise. Negotiations had been underway with the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the use of their similar grassy area, but liability concerns raised by the facility's legal representatives stalled the talks.
Club members and guests who operate model aircraft at the club's field are required to hold current AMA membership in addition to club membership; seasonal visitors from Canada whether club members or flying guests must hold current MAAC
Model Aeronautics Association of Canada
The Model Aeronautics Association of Canada is the official organization for all forms of the aeromodeling hobby, for model aircraft hobbyists living in Canada. Based in Burlington, Ontario, it was founded in 1949, and presently has over 13,000 members. MAAC is responsible for instituting official...
membership. No AMA membership is required to participate in "buddy box" activities with an experienced instructor.