RC flying club’s future up in air as it looks for new home

Sooke organization forced off land it used for two years problem free.

The Pacwest R/C Flyers Society is looking for a new home after it was forced to move its landing field from a property in the Brooks Road area.

The remote control club had been flying model aircraft, such as planes, helicopters and quadcopters for around two years, solely within the confines of the property.

Which was the entire point of having a secluded and safe space to fly in, both for the safety of the public as well as the members and their model aircraft, said club president Steve Weber.

“You hear about idiots flying near flight paths, or populated areas, then you have people trying to connect them to clubs like ours, but that’s simply not the case here,” he said.

From the fence surrounding the landing field to the runway, Weber said everything was built by the members at their own expense, including mowing the lawn and keeping things tidy.

“We’re just a club of seven guys and we’re not doing harm to anything or anyone,” he said, adding the club operates as a social gathering for those equally passionate for flying model aircraft, and not as a commercial enterprise.

The club is certified by the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada which means that in order to function as an official model air club, it needs to play by the rules, which includes signage to inform the public of the club’s presence, as well as maintaining a clean and safe environment to play in.

It wasn’t until a couple of months ago, when Weber erected some signs by the property, that the club was told to leave without explanation.

At this point, the future of the club is uncertain, however Weber hopes that they will find another piece of land to safely fly in and once again take to the skies.

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Sooke News Mirror