Local RC club hosts open house

Jul. 22—PULASKI — Most of the remote-controlled airplanes made a loud buzzing as their propellers spun up, but Joe Steklachick's Rebel Pro caught the audience's attention as its jet engine roared to life.

After taking flight, the small, bright yellow airplane made a few passes near the spectating area Saturday at the open house held by the Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society, or PORKS.

"It's got a turbine and everything, just like a full-sized jet plane," said Steklachick, a Hermitage resident.

The open house was held at PORKS' field in Pulaski, where about 115 total visitors, including around 50 children, met with club officials, learned about the group and saw RC airplanes demonstrated.

Other attractions included flight simulators and a track that let children try their hand at driving RC trucks, PORKS Secretary and Events Coordinator Ed Gantz said.

The open house also marked the 60th anniversary of the club's founding in 1964.

"There's about 30 or 40 of us in the club, so this gives the public a chance to meet us and see what the hobby's like," Gantz said.

When it comes to RC airplanes, Gantz said many people get introduced to the hobby through a family member or friend who's already involved.

While some airplanes can cost thousands of dollars, starter kits can cost only a couple hundred dollars for someone new to the hobby.

"There's scale models based on historical airplanes, there's original models, there's cheap and expensive kits, there's tournaments you can compete in — it all depends on the person and what you want to do," Gantz said.

PORKS' dues are $60 per year.

However, the club also offers an introductory course where someone completely new to the hobby can undergo three training sessions at the club's field for free, PORKS President Colin Reesey said.

"You might try it and love it, but even if you decide it's not for you, it doesn't cost you anything," Reesey said.

Other representatives — including Randy Adam, vice president of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, District 3, which includes Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia — were present for the event.

Adam said the RC hobby started around the 70s and 80s, but saw a lot of growth in the 90s as remote-control technology improved and became more affordable.

However, the onset of the War on Terror and the availability of drones caused some concerns among lawmakers, resulting in legislation such as the Aviation Reform Act of 2018 that increased regulations around the hobby.

"The AMA really went to bat for us. There were some in Congress who wanted to do away with everything," Adam said.

One requirement involved creating Federal Aviation Authority-Recognized Identification Areas, or FRIAs. The Pulaski field where PORKS meets is a FRIA.

"If you buy a drone or a little RC plane and send it up in your backyard, it's technically illegal since you're only allowed to do that in a FRIA," Gantz said.

The hobby still has plenty to offer for those with an interest in aviation, such as the opportunity to meet other like-minded people, special events and competitions, Adam said.

Those who fly real airplanes — such as Adam, who has a private pilot's license — often get involved with the hobby, although Adam said it can be more difficult for pilots to learn to control RC planes instead of the other way around.

"When you're flying a plane, you can feel the plane around you and you use your arms and your legs to control it. With an RC, you just have a controller," Adam said.

Steklachick's interest in aviation began in 1975, and although he had only a brief opportunity to fly a P-51 Mustang in Florida several years ago, he's always loved studying aircraft over the years.

"When I was younger, I'd go to the library and read whatever books they had on aviation," Steklachick said.

When he's not flying RC airplanes, Steklachick enjoys building models — often working on the airplanes throughout the winter and flying them in the summer.

"It's a fun group, and I've made a few of the planes for the guys," Steklachick said.

Among the spectators were Sami Burba, and her friend and neighbor Maria Bralich, both of Farrell.

Burba said the two weren't very familiar with RC airplanes beforehand, but read about the event in The Herald and decided to stop by.

Saturday marked Burba's 74th birthday, allowing her to celebrate the occasion by watching some of the airplanes and enjoying the warm, sunny weather.

"That big jet was probably my favorite," Burba said.

"It's been a fun time so far," Bralich said.

Those interested in PORKS can contact Reesey at [email protected], Gantz at [email protected] or Chet Blake at [email protected], or visit the "PORKS — Penn Ohio Radio Kontrol Society. RC Club" Facebook page or porks564.org for more information.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at [email protected].