Radio Control Club Has Taken Off at Ann's Choice

At Ann's Choice, an Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County, Pa., the sky isn't the limit--it's just the beginning!

For residents seeking adventure and camaraderie, the community's Radio Control Club provides an opportunity to soar to new heights, both literally and figuratively.

"For me, it's about making new friends and keeping the mind active," says Michael "Mike" Droluk, club treasurer. "I never imagined I'd learn so much while having so much fun.”

Taking off

Founded 18 years ago by a group of residents passionate about radio-controlled (RC) vehicles, the Radio Control Club has become one of the community's most popular groups. With 22 active members, the club meets weekly to operate RC airplanes, helicopters, drones, cars, and trucks.

"I joined because I've always been curious about how these things work," says Sandra Tansky, who was introduced to the club by a neighbor.

Sandra, the club president, and her husband Ronald, the vice president, both have private pilot licenses and have owned a number of planes.

"The enjoyment comes from being able to fly something and keep it under control," Ronald says. "Some of the models will do most of the work for you, and some require a lot of skill to fly.”

Supportive community

The club's activities range from designing intricate models to operating them in designated areas on campus, including a FRIA (Federal Aviation Administration-Recognized Identification Area) airfield on campus.

"The community staff supports our initiatives," Mike says. "They make sure we have the space and resources we need to thrive.”

In fact, when Mike first joined the club, he recognized the need for a smooth surface to take off and land. "So General Services painted an unused blacktop parking lot as a runway," he recalls.

The road to the runway has essentially no traffic, except for occasional pedestrians and the traffic to the runway itself.

"It's an excellent area to run cars, as it allows for both distance and speed. If nobody brings an aircraft, we can use the entire runway," Sandra says. Although they could competitively race cars, "They've always been run simply for the joy of it," she adds.

Official flyers

To make the club even more official, members who fly planes maintain an American Modelers Association (AMA) membership, and anyone who has a model that weighs more than .55 pounds must also register with the FAA for outdoor flight.

The most economical way to join the AMA is through a Park Pilot Membership, which provides $500,000 of personal liability insurance coverage in the unlikely event that someone or something is damaged.

FAA registration can be secured online. Additionally, the FAA requires each pilot to have a TRUST card to fly outdoors, which requires the applicant to take a course and a quiz.

Join the club!

New members are always welcome, and the club goes out of its way to ensure that everyone feels included. For those new to the hobby, seasoned members willingly share their knowledge and guide beginners through the basics.

"It's not intimidating at all," Sandra assures. "We've had members who started with no experience and those who have done it for years.”

Mike is one member who showed up with no experience but a lot of ambition. "I had always been interested in the hobby, but I never had time for it nor anyone to talk to about it," says Mike, who joined the club two years after moving to Ann's Choice from Jamison, Pa., with his wife Linda.

To introduce the hobby to even more neighbors, club members are planning to introduce workshops for beginners.

Fun and friendship

For Mike, Sandra, Ronald, and their fellow club members, the sky's the limit when it comes to fostering fun and friendship!

"This club has brought so much joy to my life," Mike says. "I can't wait to see what's next for us.”

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Ann's Choice, visit AnnsChoice.com.

Written by Julia Collins