Location

We are located at North Park in McCandless, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

The RC flying field is located 3/8 of a mile down the service road the begins on Walter Road between the School House and Roosevelt Shelters.

• The service road is at the top of the hill (from both directions) on Walter Road.

• The service road entrance is across the street from the church and the cemetery.

• The service road entrance runs past the large flagpole and through an open yellow gate.

• The RC field is the only shelter on the road and will be on the right side.  There is a split rail fence on the left side of the road.

Can I Fly Here?

REQUIRED

1. A current AMA card, in your possession.

   • Become a  member or renew - Academy of Model Aeronautics Membership Enrollment Center

2. Be a member of the club or be a guest of a current member who is also present at the field.

3. Operate within the following safety, site, and operational rules:

   • Club

     • The fence is the safety line (flight line).  Only pilots and guests who the pilot invites (and takes responsibility for) are allowed inside the fence.

     • No flying or takeoffs from the road, over the shelter, or the parking lot.

   • Allegheny County Parks

     • Site is open 365 days a year, unless Allegheny County Parks closes the road during the winter due to high snow.

     • Flying is permitted dawn to dusk every day of the week EXCEPT Sunday.  On Sunday, flying begins at noon and continues to dusk.  This is a courtesy to the church at the end of the road - we don't want traffic or aircraft noise to interfere with their worship services.

     • Only fly airframes permitted by Allegheny County Parks (see "What Can I Fly?" below).

   •  AMA

     • Academy of Model Aeronautics Know Before You Fly

     • Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety Handbook 

     • Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code 

     • Academy of Model Aeronautics Unmanned Aircraft Operation Utilizing First-Person View 

     • Academy of Model Aeronautics TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test)

   • FAA

     • Federal Aviation Administration Getting Started with Drones

     • Federal Aviation Administration Drone Zone 

EXPECTED

1. After one or two guest visits, pilots are expected to join the club, and assist in the financial and maintenance responsibilities for the field.

2. Respect and cooperation with other pilots and guests.

3. Operate safely - we have a 100% clean safety record, we expect you to help us keep it pristine!

What Can I Fly?

RC: Airplanes, Helicopters, Multi-Rotors, Drones - YES

• Electric, Gas or Glow.  Any size or weight allowed by the AMA that you can operate safely.

• All operations MUST be performed within line-of-sight.

• First Person View (FPV) operations must follow  AMA rules: Unmanned Aircraft Operation Utilizing First-Person View 

• Pilot instruction available at no cost.

• If in doubt, ask for help and advice from one of the officers on the board.

• The field is a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) and so no Remote ID is required to fly here.

Model Rockets, Kites, Ballons, Free Flight, (and other non-RC flight) - NO

• This is a site reserved for Radio controlled flight, these types of flights are not permitted or covered by our insurance.

How Do I Learn To Fly?

• Teaching yourself to fly RC will be expensive, dangerous, and frustrating.

• Take advantage of the free airplane training offered by the club during the warm weather months.

  • Airplane and RC equipment provided by the instructor, all you need is sunglasses and a hat.

  • Training method is adapted from the proven techniques of Dave Scott's classic book "one week to solo" - www.rcflightschool.com 

    • We teach at a slower pace - don't expect competence to be yours in only a week!

  • No formal training for helicopter pilots at this time, but if there is demand, we will make similar arrangements.

  • WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED!  Let us show you the basics - hands on...

How Do I Join the RC Club?

Fill out the application form and contact an officer (see below for emails) for how to submit the form.

Click here to download the application form

Starting Jan 1, 2023 club membership dues for adults are $30.00 and dues for junior members (18 and under) are $5.

Please make a check out to the The North Hills Eagle Squadron and send it to:

NHES

c/o Carl Gigler

#10 Oxford Court

Pittsburgh, PA. 15237

We delay first dues payments until the following year for new members who join after September 1st.

Club funds are used exclusively for these purposes:

• AMA charter and insurance fees (annual).

• Rental fees to Allegheny County Parks (annual).

• Recurring costs for the gas and equipment maintenance required to care for the field.

Click here to download the club bylaws

 Who Do I Contact if I Need Help?

President :Jim Van Buskirk <jmevb@yahoo.com>

Vice President : Bob Leskovec

Treasurer : Carl Gigler 

Secretary : Paul Rybski

Safety Officer : Jim Taylor

Trainer : Alan Lawson

External Resources

• Regulations and Information

  • FAA Drone Zone

  • Know Before You Fly 

• Organizations

  • Academy of Model Aeronautics 

  • Pennsylvania Drone Association 

• Clubs

  • AMA District 3 Clubs

  • Pittsburgh Drone Masters

  • Pitt Rotor Cross 

• Forums

  • Flying Giants 

  • Helifreak

  • RC Groups

  • RunRyder RC 

• Local hobby stores

  • Hobby Express (Cranberry Twp., PA)

Last update : Feb 17, 2023