The Blackdown Radio Control Flying Club has been in existence in various forms for over 40 years; its flying base at Smeatharpe Airfield located in the Blackdown Hills approximately halfway between monition and Taunton, about four miles northwest of the junction of the A303 and A30
We have the use of a large section of the concrete runway originally used by the RAF and the US Army Airforce during World War 2. its was from here that on D-Day a large force of C47s towing Waco and Horsa gliders, lead by Col. Charles Young, set off for the beaches of Normandy to play their part in the liberation of Europe.
The size of the runway, both in length and width, allows for safe take-offs and landings to be made with the wind in any direction. the runway is long enough to accommodate large models as defined by the BMFA as well as high speed gas turbine engined models.
All types of radio controlled mode aircraft are flown - sport, aerobatic, scale, electric and helicopters. Free flight is not practicable as we only have limited access to the farmland surrounding the airstrip.
The club is affiliated to the British model Flying Association and adheres to the BMFA rule that members nay not fly without supervision by an instructor or experienced flyer unless they hold at least an 'A' certificate of competence. The club has a number of qualified instructors who are happy to help the newcomers to the hobby.