RC festival takes flight today near Coaldale

Radio-controlled airplane enthusiasts are getting ready for takeoff as a summer tradition will once more full the skies south of Coaldale with RC fliers.

Huckfest is happening today through Sunday south of Coaldale at the Windy West RC Flying Club Field, which can be found by taking Highway #845 south of Coaldale five kilometres, turn east for 1.5 kilometres, and then south again for 1.5 kilometres.

This is the fifth year for the festival, which is traditionally held during the first weekend of August.

“We have RC planes of all sizes and descriptions coming from all over Alberta,” said Phil Heninger, giant scale representative for the Windy West RC Flying Club. “Sometimes as far away as B.C. and Montana.”

He said the club represents a number of people who have come together to enjoy the hobby of RC flying. That includes planes of all sizes and helicopters as well.

About 25 pilots, each with multiple planes, are expected to hit the skies over the course of the weekend.

The planes themselves are fullscale models of real-world aircraft.

Many of the RC Flyers are based on “Extra Aircraft”models - an acrobatic plane design that is popular among stunt pilots.

“There’s a barbecue out there every day, at a nominal charge,” said Heninger. “There’s prizes for the pilots and prizes as well. We just have a lot of fun, and pray for nice weather.”

There is no admission for the event, which will feature racing, stunting, and freestyle performances. Attendees will also have an opportunity to see very large RC planes, some reaching nine feet in diameter.

Heninger said the club is always looking for new members who are interested in learning more about RC flying.

“We’re really promoting to new people all the time, because we have a training program, and there are all kinds of pilots in our club who will train new people,” he said.

“That’s the key. If you just buy a plane and go out into a field to fly it, you will definitely crash.”