Man has been fascinated with flight for ages; from the time of its inception, taking flight has been a symbol of freedom and accomplishment.

While not all of us are able to follow in the path of a pilot, model aviation offers the everyday flight enthusiast an opportunity for the soothing yet exhilarating experience that is crafting and controlling an aircraft in flight.

Aeronautical engineer and creator of the first human-powered flying machine, Paul MacCready, demonstrated his earnest passion for model aviation by asserting that “anyone who’s not interested in model airplanes must have a screw loose somewhere.”

Oddly enough, my first experience with model aviation came in my dad’s office. We would sit at his computer and do our best to take off and land the virtual model aircraft that were on his radio-controlled flight simulator, all while trying to throw in our fair share of loopty-loops, barrel rolls and various other acrobatic aerial maneuvers.

At this point, my dad, Steve Petty, was a relative newcomer to the R/C plane hobby. He had been interested in model planes since childhood, but he was just beginning to find his wings as a true R/C enthusiast. Soon after, I returned to school and my studies but couldn’t ignore the sense of accomplishment my dad would come to exude as his skills in crafting and flying these planes progressed.

Much of this development came with the supportive assistance of the members of the R/C club he joined, the Middle Point R/C Flyers, in Murfreesboro. Petty’s experience as a member of the Middle Point club was so enriching he was prompted to become the field maintenance director of the club in just his second year of membership.

“They were great!” Petty exclaims in reference to the members of Middle Point. “The first time I went to the airfield there were four club members helping me get my plane set up and ready to fly. Everyone wants to share the hobby with other people.”

The Middle Point Flyers, whose airfield is located in the Walter Hill area of Rutherford County, is a chartered club of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and is the guild of choice for flyers of R/C airplanes, gliders and helicopters. According to the club president, Jim Powers, the first step for aspiring model aviators is to take a visit to the airfield.

“There’s a wealth of knowledge; you can learn so much by just coming out to the field and talking to the members,” Powers emphasizes. “Everyone’s happy to share anything that they may know. Don’t be afraid to mingle and get answers to questions you may have.”

Another great way for Middle Tennesseans with fervor for flight to get a solid start in model aviation is to make a trip to PAC R/C Hobbies in Smyrna. PAC R/C is a full-line hobby shop that supplies kits, hardware, building expertise and repair capabilities. An extra perk there is the availability of two flight simulators that allow you to sit and get an idea of what radio-controlled flight is like.

“It’s a great hobby to be into,” comments Mike Dunphy, manager of PAC R/C. “There are kids flying from the age of 4 on up to adults the age of 90. Our most popular beginner kit is a ready-to-fly electric plane, the Park Zone Cub,” which sells at $169.99, “but I also recommend a flight simulator.”

Membership forms and dues for the Middle Point R/C Flyers club can be completed and paid at PAC R/C as well.

Unanimous among hobbyists is the belief that the more time you can spend on a flight simulator, the better off you will be when you first grasp those sticks.

“The simulators are very similar to actually flying the plane. That experience will transition to the airfield very well,” Powers points out.

Currently, the most popular flight simulator is the Real Flight G4.5, which can be purchased for less than $200, according to Petty. However, if virtual reality is not your cup of tea and you’re anxious to start with a more hands-on approach, the Middle Point R/C Flyers have a club-owned trainer plane as well as able and willing instructors. According to Powers, the club trainer plane is usually available on Sunday afternoons, the busiest day of the week for the Middle Point airfield.

“We’ll hook you up with a buddy box and let you try your hand at flying the club trainer,” Powers says. “With the buddy box, the instructor has control of the plane and can release a button to give control to the student or push the button back and regain control, so there’s no risk of crash.”

From there, practice makes perfect and the possibilities are endless.

“As you move up and become more proficient, you’ll have people who have been at it for a while and can show you cool tricks to work on,” Petty explains.

Powers and Petty both urge prospective model aviators to make a trip to the airfield to find out if the hobby’s a good fit for you.

“Contact your local club, go out and meet with an instructor at the airfield and listen to what they’ve got to say,” Powers advises. “A lot of times there will be members with trainer planes that they want to sell, so you can get a good deal on a proven flyer with someone to help you along.”

The modeling and flying of radio-controlled aircraft involves many interests, disciplines and skills. Accordingly, the rewards of this hobby come in many shapes and forms.

“Probably the most rewarding aspect of the hobby is the camaraderie with the other flyers in the club,” Petty notes.

Powers agrees: “Joining an R/C club is a lot about flying planes, but it’s also about the camaraderie. That’s as big a part of it as anything else.”

If you have the desire to touch the sky, there’s no easier way in Middle Tennessee to exercise your passion than to try your hand at R/C aviation.

The Middle Point airfield is located at 850 E. Jefferson Pike, Murfreesboro. Club members are generally flying each weekend. For more information, visit mprcf.com.