News Features

Radio Controlled Flying Club Invites New Members, Needs Field Space

By Walter Tillman, Sr.
     The Central Florida Sport Flyers Inc. (CFSF) is a small group of Radio Control Model enthusiasts that was established and chartered (Club #3587) with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) on September 19, 1994. The club, at that time, operated out of a local hobby shop located in Eustis, until 2004. The original flying field was located next to the railroad tracks, just northwest of the Sanford railroad station off of Narcissus Road. Today, that location is a thriving subdivision of residential homes.
     In 2006, the club was relocated to the Easter Seals-owned "Camp Challenge" off SR-46, where it remained until 2011. During that period of time, in 2009, the club was registered with the IRS as a non-profit 501 C-7 corporation that remains in effect to this day. During 2011, the club was asked by the Camp Challenge management to relocate to a new location.
     In July 2011 the club relocated to privately owned property in Eustis, just north of the Black Bear Golf Course, where it remains today.
In 2016, the club leadership was reestablished and a new program to rebuild membership and further promote community involvement and activity was implemented. As a result, the membership was rebuilt from 8 during 2016 to 38 as of January of 2024. Today, membership is very Veteran friendly with over half being U.S. Military Veterans of Vietnam, Desert Storm, plus current campaigns. Four (4) members are disabled U.S. Military veterans as well as several are full-scale private and commercial pilots.
     The first club-sponsored activity was conducted in 2017 as a "Fun Fly and Swap Meet" with over 100 persons participating. Today, the club is currently planning its 6th annual "Fun Fly and Swap Meet" as well as a second annual Scale RC Helicopter Fun Fly.
     As an AMA sanctioned and chartered radio-controlled model aviation club, CFSF is jointly regulated by the FAA, the AMA, and local governments. In addition, there are over 4,000 chartered clubs throughout the United States and over 300,000 members worldwide.
Since the club is sanctioned and chartered by the AMA, it is able to offer landlords and individual members $2.5 Million dollars in liability insurance coverage.
     The club also maintains a website at www.cfsportflyers.org.
     The Central Florida Sport Flyer Inc. welcomes all who share the interest and love of model aviation of all types, or who are just curious about the sport and hobby is all about.
     Club members build, fly, and maintain various types of radio-controlled model aircraft. They include Sport model aircraft, Scale model airplanes and helicopters, sailplanes (Gliders), and Quadcopter drones. Models fall into two (2) basic categories; Electric Powered and Glow Fuel Powered.
     CFSF membership offers RC Pilot training/instruction by experienced Instructor Pilots with an emphasis on SAFETY, RESPONSIBILITY, and      Protecting our ENVIRONMENT.
     The technology of radio-controlled drones or model aircraft is also fast becoming a new worldwide sport with the introduction of "Drone Soccer" as a recognized and supported event with possible potential for the Olympics games. Youth today show great interest in this new page of the hobby.
     If you are the owner of a tract of vacant land and would be interested in hosting the club, please call Walter Tillman, Sr. at 804-815-2227 for more information.