For half a century, The Pekin RC Club has been located in Dirksen Park on Edgewater Drive (Route 98) about 2 miles East of Route 29. They are a not-for-profit group of radio control flying enthusiasts that gather at the Hermon D Lowery Field several times a week to share their flying stories and fly their models. The Club pavilion is North of Route 98 and can be seen as you drive by. In addition to the pavilion, there are picnic tables, restrooms, and a paved runway. Several acres of closely cut grass surround the runway for modelers who prefer using a grass strip for takeoffs and landings. The Club members maintain the grounds in an agreement with the Pekin Park District. Visiting modelers from other RC clubs frequently comment that the Pekin Club has the nicest field in this area.

During the half century of the Club’s existence, the technology of the hobby has been transformed many times over. In the early 70s, nearly every plane was built of balsa and painted silk covering and powered by a glow engine burning nitro-methane fuel. In the late 70s, a shrink-wrap was developed that made it easy for modelers to achieve very smooth and colorful results. The 80s saw the development of the ARF concept (Almost Ready to Fly), where a flyer can assemble their plane in a weekend using pre-built components. During these same decades, electronics and engine development exploded with computerized transmitters, gyro-driven autopilots, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, diesel, super-charged, radial, in-line, wankel, and horizontally opposed engines all claiming their share of the market.

It wasn’t until the development of the lightweight lithium-polymer battery early in this century, in conjunction with lightweight brushless electric motors, that the hobby underwent a seismic shift. Combine that with the development of foam aircraft made with precise computer-aided design and manufacturing, and you arrive at the current state of the hobby. Almost all of the old-timers who, as a kid, glued balsa and ran glow-engines are today flying electric foam airplanes, although every now and then you can run across a balsa-framed plane or even a DIY hexa-copter being flown by its proud builder.

The Pekin RC Club welcomes visitors and is seeking new members. Those with RC flying experience or new fliers with no experience are welcome. Several members are instructor pilots who can assist you in learning to fly. All members have extensive RC experience and can offer aircraft and equipment guidance. Some members have jet, helicopter, and drone experience. Aircraft flown include historic aircraft, past and present military aircraft, general aviation aircraft, aerobatic planes, gliders, helicopters, drones, ultralights, and paragliders. Some planes are configured to drop paratroopers and simulated bombs. They also have some control line flyers. 

All of the pictures used for this article are actual photos taken at the Pekin RC Club. Junior members are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The hobby also offers a huge opportunity to be enjoyed together by a Parent/Child or Grandparent/Grandchild. Many members have aircraft they have built from scratch using balsa wood, aircraft plywood, and shrink wrap coverings. Power is mostly electric; however there are also a few nitro-powered glow engines as well as large planes with gasoline 2-stroke engines. Costs for a ready-to-fly electric trainer plane and basic transmitter can be a low as just a few hundred dollars. 

An AMA registration is required (Academy of Model Aeronautics), and the FAA has a few steps to complete. Pekin RC Club dues are $75 annually, but that covers everyone in the family.

Those interested in pursuing the RC hobby can stop by any time—there are members flying—or call the Pekin RC Club Editor at (309) 346-1345 or the Secretary/Treasurer at (309) 620-4969.