Coachella Valley Radio Control Club

The Coachella Valley Radio Control Club is a nonprofit model-aircraft organization based near Coachella in Riverside County, California. Its activities center on the operation, construction, and demonstration of radio-controlled aircraft, while also extending into free-flight models, control-line flying, helicopters, model jets, youth education, and community service. The club is recognized as one of the oldest model-aircraft clubs in the United States and as one of the longest-continuously operating nonprofit service organizations in the Coachella Valley. The organization traces its origins to 1938, when a loosely organized group of free-flight model-aircraft enthusiasts met weekly at the former La Quinta Airport. The airport site, near the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, was vulnerable to strong and unpredictable winds, and models were frequently lost. World War II interrupted the club's activities in 1941. After the war, members resumed flying at a succession of open sites across the valley. The postwar development of control-line aircraft, small nitromethane-powered glow engines, and early single-channel radio control helped broaden the club's activities. Early radio systems were highly constrained, with aircraft sharing a single assigned frequency, but the technology provided a foundation for the club's later growth. By the early 1990s, rapid development in central and western Coachella Valley had eliminated or restricted many of the club's former flying fields. Buildings, power lines, private-property restrictions, wind exposure, access concerns, and noise issues made it increasingly difficult to secure an appropriate location. In 1992, the club moved to an undeveloped leased site at Avenue 58 and Monroe Street in the Vista Santa Rosa area, its fifteenth official flying location. A major organizational effort began in 1999 when members held a formal meeting to address the club's future. Dan Metz, who had flown with the organization for approximately fifteen years, accepted the presidency and undertook a search for a permanent facility. Ron Vincent assisted by drawing on prior experience obtaining land for a model-aircraft site in Oregon and by contacting the United States Bureau of Reclamation. After considering sites affected by desert bighorn sheep habitat and Native American land concerns, the Bureau offered approximately 240 acres alongside the All-American Canal near Avenue 54 and Pierce Street. The club and its supporters transformed the heavily degraded property, which contained discarded tires, abandoned vehicles, and other refuse, into an operating flying field. Members supplied money, furniture, and extensive volunteer labor, while donations from developers and corporations helped fund the work. A runway, pit area, and parking area were completed in May 2002. Later improvements extended the runway to approximately 865 feet and added facilities for control-line aircraft, helicopters, and slower park-flyer models. The club's public-land location also involves maintenance cooperation with the Coachella Valley Parks and Recreation Department. The club operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and combines recreational flying with education and public outreach. Its Delta Dart program, conducted with area schools and supported by the Academy of Model Aeronautics, introduces younger students to flight principles and model construction through rubber-band-powered balsa aircraft. Catapult gliders provide a simpler entry point for children. At the high-school level, the club works with ROTC programs to encourage interest in aviation and aeronautical careers. Regular Fun Fly events provide supervised opportunities for visitors, including buddy-box instruction for people with no previous radio-control flying experience. The organization also supports charity demonstrations, Toys for Tots fundraising, and aviation-related public events in the wider valley. The club has hosted the Best in the West Jet Rally, a significant gathering for turbine-powered model jets that has received coverage in the Academy of Model Aeronautics' Model Aviation magazine. Its field has also supported demonstrations and public appearances at the Palm Springs Air Museum and the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Air Show. Members and guests using the field are generally required to maintain Academy of Model Aeronautics membership in addition to club membership, while supervised introductory buddy-box activities are available without independent AMA membership.

The club began in 1938 as a weekly gathering of free-flight model-aircraft enthusiasts at the former La Quinta Airport. Operations paused during World War II and resumed afterward at multiple open locations throughout the Coachella Valley. During the postwar period, control-line aircraft, glow engines, and early radio-control systems expanded the technical range of the hobby and helped the organization develop. Urban expansion in the valley created a serious land and access problem by the early 1990s. Former flying fields were built over, restricted as private property, or made unsuitable by buildings, power lines, wind, and noise concerns. In 1992, the club moved to a leased site near Avenue 58 and Monroe Street. A 1999 meeting initiated a more determined search for a permanent facility. Dan Metz accepted the presidency and worked with Ron Vincent to contact public agencies and evaluate possible sites. The United States Bureau of Reclamation eventually offered approximately 240 acres beside the All-American Canal near Avenue 54 and Pierce Street. The property required extensive cleanup because it contained refuse, abandoned vehicles, and discarded tires. Club members contributed labor, money, equipment, and furnishings, while outside donations supported the transformation of the site. The first runway, pit area, and parking area were completed in May 2002. Later construction lengthened the runway to approximately 865 feet and added a combined control-line and helicopter pad. A flagpole and dedication area were installed in 2008. The club's present role extends beyond private recreation. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, maintains a safety-oriented flying facility, and works with schools through the Delta Dart program. Students build and fly simple balsa aircraft, while high-school outreach includes cooperation with ROTC programs and encouragement of aviation and aeronautics careers. Monthly Fun Fly events provide public access and supervised buddy-box instruction. The club also participates in charity demonstrations, Toys for Tots fundraising, and aviation events at the Palm Springs Air Museum and Jacqueline Cochran Regional Air Show. Its Best in the West Jet Rally has made the field a regional and national meeting place for turbine-powered model-jet enthusiasts. The event has been covered by Model Aviation and has attracted notable pilots and commercial sponsors. The club's combination of historical continuity, volunteer land development, safety standards, education, and public programming has contributed to its recognition as an Academy of Model Aeronautics gold-certified club.

• 2009

  Runway extensions support the jet rally

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  Extensions are added to the runway to accommodate the Best in the West Jet Rally, which receives national sponsorship.

• 2008

  Flagpole dedicated

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  A flagpole is installed beside the site's dedication plaque, with a flag donated by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack.

• 2007

  Control-line and helicopter pad added

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  A combined control-line and helicopter area is added after the adjacent Avenue 54 connection is paved.

• 2002

  Avenue 54 flying facilities open

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  The runway, pit area, and parking area at the present public-land site are completed.

• 1999

  Permanent-site campaign begins

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  Members hold a formal meeting about the club's future, and Dan Metz begins a public-agency and land search.

• 1992

  Move to Vista Santa Rosa

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  The club leases undeveloped land at Avenue 58 and Monroe Street after losing access to earlier flying areas.

• 1941

  Activities pause during World War II

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  The club's flying activities are temporarily suspended following the United States' entry into World War II.

• 1938

  Club roots begin at La Quinta Airport

  [1]Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org

  A loose-knit group of free-flight model-aircraft enthusiasts begins meeting weekly at the former La Quinta Airport.

A safety-focused, community-oriented model-aircraft club that combines recreational flying, aviation education, youth outreach, charitable activity, and organized events at a dedicated Southern California facility.

• Fixed-wing model aircraft

  Radio-controlled model aircraft

  The club's principal activity is the operation of radio-controlled fixed-wing aircraft at its dedicated runway. Members fly models ranging from trainer aircraft and sport planes to larger and faster specialty aircraft. Use of the field is governed by club and Academy of Model Aeronautics safety requirements.

• Educational free-flight model

  Delta Darts

  Delta Darts are simple rubber-band-powered balsa aircraft used in the club's school outreach. Students build the models over full-size plans and then compete in friendly distance-flying activities, learning basic construction, balance, and flight principles.

• Educational glider

  Catapult gliders

  These small sheet-balsa gliders offer younger participants a simpler construction and flying experience. A rubber band mounted on a wooden handle launches each glider, making the activity accessible to beginners without radio-control equipment.

• Jet model aircraft

  Turbine-powered model jets

  The club hosts large turbine-powered radio-control jets through its Best in the West Jet Rally. The event requires runway capacity and operational procedures suited to fast, technically complex models and attracts specialist pilots from beyond the immediate valley.

• 1999Permanent Flying Site Initiative

  Coachella Valley

  Club leaders and volunteers approached municipal and federal agencies to identify a stable flying site after development and access restrictions displaced earlier fields.

  Outcome. The Bureau of Reclamation offered a large parcel beside the All-American Canal, enabling the club to develop its present facility.

  Source
• Delta Dart School Outreach

  Coachella Valley schools

  The club works with school districts to teach children basic aerodynamics, model construction, and flight through Delta Darts and catapult gliders.

  Outcome. The program provides a practical introduction to aviation and supports the club's educational and community-service mission.

  Source
• Toys for Tots Fun Fly

  Coachella Valley

  At least one annual Fun Fly is organized as a fundraiser supporting Toys for Tots.

  Outcome. The event connects the club's flying program with seasonal charitable giving.

  Source

• 2002

  Opening of the present flying fieldOther

  Background

  The selected public-land property required extensive removal of garbage, wrecked vehicles, and tires before it could be used.

  Action taken

  Members and outside supporters cleared and constructed a runway, pit area, and parking area.

  Aftermath

  The completed facility became the club's principal base and was later expanded for additional aircraft types and events.

  Source

• 1999

  Search for a permanent facilityStrategy

  Background

  The club faced recurring displacement, unsuitable wind conditions, access problems, and concerns about interference, power lines, and noise.

  Action taken

  Leadership pursued public-agency contacts and federal-land options, eventually securing a proposed site beside the All-American Canal.

  Aftermath

  The club developed a long-term flying field through member labor, donations, and cooperation with public agencies.

  Source

• 1992

  Relocation to Vista Santa RosaStrategy

  Background

  Urban growth and loss of earlier open flying areas made the club's existing locations increasingly difficult to use.

  Action taken

  The club leased undeveloped land near Avenue 58 and Monroe Street as its fifteenth official flying site.

  Aftermath

  The move provided an interim operating location while the club later pursued a permanent facility.

  Source

1. 1Coachella Valley Radio Control Cluben.wikipedia.org