The Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center is now accepting members for its first-ever Teen RC Club. This is an opportunity for teens ages 12-18 to learn how to build, maintain and operate Radio Controlled Cars & Trucks at the Center every Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for six weeks beginning April 13. This is a free program, and registration ends  April 6. You can register by clicking here.

“To keep teenagers out of trouble, each recreation center has been challenged to create innovative programs that will give our youth something new to do, so we’ll be using our old BMX track an RC Track. This space has the potential to be the largest RC Track location in Georgia,” said Thomas Hudson with the Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center. 

The RC world is a fun hands-on approach to give teens a program that will allow them to build RC Cars as well as maintain the track and participate in local races this summer. This program also can run throughout the year and can be moved inside when the weather doesn’t permit. 

The 6-week course will teach teens how the trucks operate, from the  gears to suspension to motors. Then they will learn how to drive the RC cars on a flat surface before driving them on the Center’s RC Track. Each member will be required to complete the 6-week course in order to be qualified to participate in the summer races. 

This program will start with a maximum of ten members at Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center, but there are plans to introduce the program to other centers in the near future. 

How many of you know that we have a first-class RC airfield in our backyard as well as a certified USA-BMX track?

Triple Creek RC Aircraft Club (TCRC), situated on 58 acres of county-owned property shared with the BMX Triple Creek track, is located at 12705 Balm Boyette Rd. south of Rhodine Rd. and north of County Road 672 and Balm Road in Riverview.

The club, which has been active for over 17 years and has nearly 150 members, provides a wonderful opportunity for both new as well as established RC pilots to join a group of like-minded enthusiasts who love to fly, instruct or just hang out and enjoy a day at the airfield.

The airfield features a 350-foot by 35-foot paved runway, a 40-acre flat and mowed outfield, and three taxiways. There is a large, open pit area for parked aircraft and a covered pit area with worktables and electricity at every station for pilots to work on their planes. There is also a spectator area with a kitchen and serving area for anyone wanting to prepare a snack at the park.

“Getting started is as easy as contacting the club or an existing member and setting up an intro flight,” said Keith Hall, president of the TCRC. Existing members will be happy to discuss the requirements and gear necessary to get started. It was surprising how little of an investment it took to get involved with RC planes if taking it up as a new hobby.

“All you need is an airplane, transmitter, AMA membership for insurance and a FAA registration, the same as drone operators need. Trainer planes start as low as $200 and can be found at local hobby shops as well as online, or you can come out to the field at one of