Terminal
A-West
Flying
model aircraft, also known as aeromodeling, was first witnessed in 1871 when
French inventor Alphonse Pénaud
designed and built the Planophore – a tiny rubber band powered aircraft that
flew approximately 130 feet. This was an historic moment in aviation both for
aeromodeling and early aircraft design. The fascination with aviation and the
dream to achieve human flight spread throughout the world. It was 1903, more
than 30 years later, when the dream to fly was realized by the Wright Brothers whose
first successful flight launched the era of aviation. In 1927, the world was
once again captivated by Charles Lindbergh’s daring transatlantic flight between
New York and Paris. With the public’s growing passion for aviation, toy
companies began to increase production of model airplane kits making aircraft
and the thrill of flying accessible to everyone. It wasn’t until the late 1940s
following World War II, that radio-controlled model airplanes were developed
for public use. Originally bulky and laden with large batteries, the early
radio-controlled planes were difficult to control and couldn’t fly very far or
for long periods of time. Over the years, the technology became more
sophisticated and radio-controlled model planes became lighter, more versatile,
and user-friendly. Many modelers enjoy the labor-intensive construction process
just as much as successfully flying their hand-built planes.
Today,
radio-controlled aeromodeling continues to be a popular activity. Model
aircraft enthusiasts often join a regional club with a designated airfield for
flying model planes. There are more than 2,500 model airplane clubs in the
United States. Locally, the West Jersey Radio Control Club based in Mantua, New
Jersey has one of the best aeromodeling airfields in the area with more than
100 members from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The West Jersey Radio Control
Club flies every
type of model aircraft from small to large including airplanes that are powered
by electricity, gasoline, and glow fuel.
For more information about the West Jersey Radio Control Club,
visit www.wjrc.org.
