It was an opportunity for people from across the province to gather just outside of the Energy City, and celebrate a love for their chosen hobby.
The Sun City Remote-Controlled Club hosted the provincial fun fly on Saturday and Sunday at its site southeast of Estevan. More than 30 people from across the province flocked to the grounds to fly their model airplanes and race their remote-controlled cars, and to discuss their passion for the pursuit.
Art Dougherty, who is the president of the Sun City club, said people from Swift Current, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and other communities came to Estevan. The fun fly is held at a different community each year, and this marked the first time Estevan has hosted the gathering.
鈥淟ast year we had our grand opening (of the property), and then we decided we would host the fun fly this year,鈥� Dougherty said while a model airplane buzzed overhead. 鈥淚t was our turn.鈥�
But it鈥檚 not just an event for flying the planes. Dougherty said there is also a strong social component.
鈥淲e just talk and fly, and the most important thing is you get to know the other people,鈥� said Dougherty. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a people sport. We see what they鈥檙e flying and what you鈥檙e flying and compare notes and have fun.鈥�
Technology is always changing, he said. Turbine propeller jets, different airplanes and even drones were part of the show. Drones are growing in popularity, he said, and regulations allow for them to be flown at designated fields such as the Sun City鈥檚 club.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of the hobby as well,鈥� said Dougherty.
Derek Kanak and his son Evan came to Estevan from Regina for the fun fly. They operate Remote Control Hobbies in the Queen City, and they want to showcase what they sell at the store.
They attend the provincial fun fly every year, and they鈥檙e looking forward to next year鈥檚 event when it will be in Regina.
Derek Kanak said he has always had a passion for flying, and that has translated to model planes.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 afford to get a real pilot鈥檚 licence, so this is the next-best thing, flying model airplanes,鈥� said Kanak, who was drawn to the planes by their sound and their smell, and the thrill of flying.
鈥淭his is a big thrill to fly this,鈥� he added later. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good hobby.鈥�
When he spoke with the Mercury, Kanak and his son were working on a model of a Harvard II NATO training airplane. It鈥檚 one that he said he鈥檚 particularly proud of, because he spent all winter working on the plane, and it鈥檚 exciting to see it now flying through the air.
Remote-controlled car operators also had their chance to have some fun throughout the weekend. They raced their vehicles at the small oval track to the west of the airfield.
鈥淲e recommend radio-controlled to everyone, it doesn鈥檛 matter if it鈥檚 cars, boats or planes,鈥� said Dougherty. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all one for us.鈥�
Dougherty said the club received rave reviews about the facility from people who attended the fun fly. Those clubs have good fields and nice facilities, he said, but they were in awe when they saw what Estevan has to offer.
Kanak was among those who were praising the facility.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice and new for the fun fly,鈥� said Kanak. 鈥淭here鈥檚 really nice people running, it, so it鈥檚 good.鈥� 聽
The new facility has been a tremendous addition for the club, Dougherty said. The lack of rain has hurt the grass in the field this summer, but the facility still looks good.
He noted the club has a regular fly night on Tuesday nights, and he encourages the public to check it out and see if they would be interested in the hobby.
