Sarasota Silent Flyers Information

SSF was started in 1980 by Jerry Bailey, Bob Hunnicutt, and Bruce Snyder. Jerry, a pilot, and Bruce and Bob, electrical engineers, decided that they would build and fly an electric powered airplane. From that small beginning, the club grew big enough to become an AMA club. The club has grown over the years and now has our own web page with a full color club newsletter that can be downloaded. From the very beginning it was decided to limit the membership to electric flyers only and to fly from an all "quiet" site. The great preponderance of flying is electric powered planes rather than gliders. There is another field in south Sarasota where there is another club that fly gliders, both electric powered and high start planes. Periodic club meetings are held at the field. Some are educational and some are just parties with food and beverages. This club will only accept members who are interest in flying electric r/c airplanes and who want to have fun. We are not a politically run club with a lot of member disagreements. There are three rather unique things about our club:We have an assigned frequency program whereby each member is assigned a frequency on which to fly. Our flying site has a geotextile 50 x 300 foot runway. The site also has a 6 acre pond nearby that occasional water float fly-ins occurs. Jack Reinemeyer, one of our members who designed it and donates it for our use, owns the site. He grows hay and raises certified red angus cattle on the remaining acres. Another great feature is that we have a covered area to sit under and a small shed with a bathroom, electric, refrigerator and gas grill. If you are interested in electric-powered, radio-controlled model airplanes and would like more information about becoming a member of our club please click on membership information. Our club officers will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have. You will find E-mail links and phone numbers listed in the Officers Club. As all guests must be supervised, we also ask that you contact one of the club officers to request and schedule any visits to the flying field. The field is kept locked at all times so you will need to have another member to let you in.