LONG BEACH MODEL AIRPLANES

Story by Miranda von Lersner | Photos by Monique Kuhlman

The El Dorado Silent Flyers club

Did you know Long Beach has an area for flying model airplanes? El Dorado Park has a designated area within the park for flying remote controlled (RC) planes. There is a group of dedicated hobbyists, The El Dorado Silent Fliers, who gather regularly and offer free lessons for those who would like to learn how to fly RC planes. What better way to spend a beautiful morning than flying a plane? These passionate enthusiasts hope to encourage new generations.

The El Dorado Silent Fliers are a welcoming and friendly group of enthusiasts who love to share their knowledge with anyone who shows interest. Chris Myers is the primary flight instructor but feel free to ask the members any questions about their experience and planes. They loved showing off their hand-built and modified RC planes in the sky. Each plane is unique to its owner’s preferences. 

Members recommend starting with lessons before purchasing your own equipment. Your first kit should be inexpensive while you learn the mechanics of operating your own RC plane. Crashing is normal when starting out so you don’t want to invest in an expensive plane until you’re more confident. The planes are made from Styrofoam, selected for its lightweight durability; it is also the most cost-effective material for RC planes. 

Larry Wagner, who has been a hobbyist for 15+ years shared, “I gained interest in the RC planes because I was impressed by the tricks the planes were capable of performing. I prefer the brand E-Flite for their durability and reliability.”

Additional club information can be found on their website: 

edsfclub.org. They hope to see you on Saturday!

When are the free lessons? Every Saturday morning 9am – 12pm (weather permitting). Morning is better for flying due to less wind. 

Where in El Dorado Park? El Dorado East Regional Park Model Aircraft Field near Area 3. 

Who can get lessons? Anyone - lessons are open to all ages.

What do I need for lessons? Nothing! They provide a trainer plane and transmitter for training.