This article was provided by Bill Spencer, president of the Champaign County Radio Control Club (CCRCC). For more information about this article's contents, contact champaigncountyrcclub@gmail.com.
In less than a year, CCRCC has demonstrated how a thoughtful, people-centered approach can revitalize a local model aviation club. Membership grew from 88 in November 2024 to 121 by the end of 2025, marking a 37% increase. More important than the numbers is how that growth was achieved: through structured instruction, a strong safety culture, family involvement, and deliberate year-round engagement that transforms newcomers into confident pilots and long-term members.
At a time when many AMA clubs face declining participation and an aging pilot base, CCRCC's experience illustrates how intentional training, family inclusion, and consistent engagement can reverse these trends. By aligning closely with AMA priorities, including youth outreach, education, safety, and community building, the club has shown that sustainable growth is achievable through planning and committed volunteers.
A Training Program Built for Success
Training new pilots has been central to CCRCC's mission since its founding in the early 1950s. That longstanding spirit of mentorship was formalized in 2001, when Ron Bell established a structured flight training program with weekly Thursday evening sessions from mid-May through mid-September.
As interest in RC aviation continued to grow, CCRCC expanded its training opportunities to provide continuity throughout the year. In 2023, instruction was extended into the winter months by moving indoors to the Mahomet-Seymour Fieldhouse. This shift ensured that new pilots could continue building skills, confidence, and relationships even during the off-season.
CCRCC's summer Thursday night training program remains the backbone of instructional efforts. These open sessions provide a welcoming, low-barrier entry point for community members of all ages to explore RC aviation in a safe, structured environment. Building on this success, the club has introduced an enhanced individualized flight training program for students seeking more comprehensive instruction. This new summer flight training program was inspired by the highly successful North Georgia Model Aviators program featured in the April 2025 issue of Model Aviation magazine. While drawing on this proven framework, CCRCC adapted the program to local needs, emphasizing accessibility, consistency, and mentorship for flyers of all ages and backgrounds.
Key features of the individualized program include:
- Eligibility across all ages: Students participate after attending at least two Thursday evening training sessions and receiving a recommendation from an instructor.
- Personal equipment: Each student receives an AeroScout RTF Basic aircraft and transmitter and agrees not to fly independently until completing the program.
- Club membership: Participants receive a complimentary one-year CCRCC family membership.
- One-on-one instruction: Each student is paired with a dedicated coach who provides individualized guidance using the student's own aircraft at mutually convenient times.
This layered approach, combining open group training with focused mentorship, has improved safety, accelerated skill development, and fostered strong connections between instructors and new pilots.
During the summer 2025 training session, 37 students participated in CCRCC's program. The group included father-son pairs, junior members, University of Illinois students, and individual learners ranging in age from 7 to 69. Training followed a structured progression, beginning with simulator instruction, advancing to buddy-box flights, and culminating in supervised solo flights. Clear safety briefings and close instructor-to-student interaction reinforced AMA safety principles while allowing students to progress at an appropriate pace.
By the end of the season, 30 trainees had achieved confident solo flight and graduated, with the remaining students continuing to make steady progress. Most graduates transitioned directly into active club membership, establishing a strong foundation for long-term retention.
Keeping the Momentum Going
As summer concluded, CCRCC shifted its focus from recruitment to retention, recognizing that sustained engagement is essential to long-term club health. Rather than relying on a single activity, the club implemented a coordinated strategy that combined flying opportunities, social events, and creative experiences throughout the fall and winter.
The Winter Indoor RC Flying Kickoff Party at the Mahomet-Seymour Fieldhouse brought together nearly 100 participants for a day centered on instruction, flying, and fellowship. New pilots advanced from simulators to the flightline under instructor guidance, while families shared lunch, watched flight demonstrations, and connected with experienced members. The event reinforced that CCRCC is not just about flying airplanes; it is about building a welcoming aviation community.
Family Movie Night further strengthened these connections. Hosted in November at The Open Room in Mahomet, the screening of Disney's Planes drew 42 people from 14 families. Free popcorn, shared laughter, and brief announcements about upcoming club activities helped maintain engagement during the quieter winter months.
Innovation also played a role. CCRCC's first Virtual Fun Fly using RealFlight Evolution allowed members to practice skills, explore new aircraft, and socialize online during winter weather. For newer pilots, the virtual format provided a safe environment to reinforce fundamentals while maintaining connections with fellow members.
The New Year began with one of CCRCC's longest-standing traditions: the New Year's Day Chili Breakfast and Fun Fly. Attendance reached 33 pilots and ground crew members, one of the highest turnouts in recent memory. While the event has always been popular, this year's strong participation was greatly bolstered by many of CCRCC's newest members, highlighting the success of the club's retention efforts.
A Build Day That Built More Than Airplanes
While flight training teaches new members how to fly safely and confidently, CCRCC recognizes that building is an equally important part of model aviation. Constructing an aircraft deepens the understanding of aerodynamics, electronics, and structural design while fostering problem-solving skills and a stronger personal connection to the hobby.
To this end, CCRCC organized its first RC Airplane Build Day in January 2026. Fifty participants, including youth builders, parents, college students, and longtime pilots, came together for a full day of hands-on learning. Builders constructed 31 Flite Test Nutballs, selected for their simplicity, durability, and suitability for both indoor and outdoor flying. By demystifying construction and electrics, the RC Airplane Build Day lowered barriers to long-term participation and empowered new members to take ownership of their learning.
Experienced club members served as mentors, guiding participants through foamboard construction, electronics installation, and proper aircraft setup. The atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with builders helping one another troubleshoot issues and celebrating milestones as each airplane took shape.
The RC Airplane Build Day was made possible through strong partnerships and volunteer support. Horizon Hobby donated Spektrum receivers for youth and student builders. Professor Jason Merrett of the University of Illinois assisted with laser-cut foamboard kits and led the event, and the University of Illinois Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering provided a spacious facility that allowed builders to work comfortably and safely.
For many participants, the most memorable moment came later that evening, when newly completed Nutballs took to the air at the Mahomet-Seymour Fieldhouse. Several youth members experienced the thrill of flying an airplane they had built themselves just hours earlier, powerfully reinforcing confidence, ownership, and long-term commitment to the hobby.
With additional build days planned, including LED light enhancements and construction of trainer aircraft, such as the Flite Test Tiny Trainer, CCRCC plans to continue to integrate building with flight training as a core retention strategy.
Outreach and Community Engagement
CCRCC's commitment to education extends well beyond the flying field. Outreach initiatives have played a vital role in introducing young people and families to aviation while strengthening the club's connection to the broader community.
On May 14, 2025, CCRCC members visited the Next Generation School, working with two sixth-grade classes and one fifth-grade class. Students built gliders, learned how control surfaces function, and connected classroom science concepts to real-world flight. Two days later, on May 16, those sixth graders visited Dana Colbert Park in Savoy, where CCRCC instructors guided them through RealFlight Evolution simulator sessions and buddy-box flights with experienced pilots.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. The school has already invited CCRCC back for an expanded program, and the success of this initiative has sparked additional outreach efforts at the Mahomet Public Library, Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School, a Montessori school in Champaign, and the Champaign Park District. Each program introduces new audiences to aviation, reinforces STEM learning, and builds momentum for future club growth.
A Model for Sustainable Club Growth
CCRCC's experience demonstrates that sustainable club growth is not driven by a single event, but by a coordinated strategy centered on education, safety, family inclusion, and consistent engagement. By teaching both how to fly and how to build, and by fostering a welcoming community that extends beyond the flightline, the club is cultivating knowledgeable pilots who are deeply invested in model aviation and in one another.
For more information, contact Bill Spencer, President, Champaign County Radio Control Club, at champaigncountyrcclub@gmail.com.
