Cape Town will see one of the best model aircraft displays ever over the weekend of 10 and 11^th March 2012.

On Saturday, 10^th March 2012 Helderberg Radio Flyers will host a large static display of many different types of radio controlled model aeroplanes at theFood Court of the Somerset West Shopping Mall from 09h00 to 17h00. The Mall display will include a representative sample of radio controlled model aircraft that the public will be able to get up close and study. Club members will be able to answer questions and explain the workings of these complicated machines to the public.

On Sunday, 11^th March 2012, the action moves to the HRF Club’s flying field where from 09h00 to 16h00, the public will be treated to thrills and spills of flying miniature aircraft, which range in sizes from 40% scale monsters powered by 160cc purpose made petrol engines to tiny hand launched gliders. Entrance to the air display will cost R30 per car and R 15 per bike in aid of club funds to improve club facilities. Follow the signs from Strand and Somerset West.

Food and drinks will be available with Spur supplying hungry visitors with hamburgers and cool drinks. A large number of visitors are expected for the air display and visitors should come early to ensure a good viewing spot and they should bring their own chairs and umbrellas. HRF promises to provide a lot of action with smoking Aerobatic planes, WW1 and WW2 aircraft, Jets and Helicopters as well as our normal type of planes. There will be opportunities throughout the day for visitors to try flying the R/C flight simulator.

The sport / hobby of Radio control (RC) flying is growing rapidly in South Africa at present. The sport is controlled by a national controlling body, South African Model Aircraft Association who promotes and guides the sport in South Africa. Model pilots can qualify for South African colours and represent their country in many different disciplines of radio control flying at the respective World Championships. Disciplines include aerobatics, scale, helicopters and gliding. However, as in any recreational activity, Radio Control flying clubs are the backbone of the radio control aeroplane hobby/sport, providing facilities, instruction and advice to its members young and old.

Helderberg Radio Flyers was founded in 1969 and still has two of its founder members active in the club. The club has an average of 90 members with the age ranging from 12 years to 80 years old. Pilots hail from around the Helderberg Basin as well as from as far away as Villiersdorp, Paarl and Cape Town. The club has a permanent facility with concrete runways and a clubhouse.

The club is active every weekend with Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings being the most popular with the members. Some of our members also fly on Monday and Thursday mornings as well as Wednesday afternoons. We have an "instructors" program for beginners and training is given free of charge. The variety of aircraft at Helderberg radio Flyers is vast, with helicopters and jets, bi-planes and aerobatic machines taking to the skies on a regular basis. RC modelling is not just about flying model aircraft; but also the enjoyment and relaxation attained while building the models. Hobby shops have made the hobby easier for the beginner, with "almost ready to fly" models, negating the necessity of spending hours building the aircraft before you go flying. An average price for someone wishing to start in the hobby which includes the radio control system, airplane, engine, fuel and other accessories, is around R 5000-00. Model gliders are a cheaper option with a start up cost of about R 2000-00.