KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
October 9, 2019
By Brianne Hill
The Space City Remote Club welcomes families to the Warbird Fly In event on Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12 in Katy. Experienced pilots will guide replicas from World War I to present-day military planes through acrobatic tricks in the air and precision formation flying.
The War Bird Fly In event will be held at 6332 Katy Hockley Road Friday and Saturday, October 11 and 12 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Over the two days, attendees will be entertained by high-speed tight formation action as multiple remote-control warbirds take to the sky. Plus, they will enjoy flight demonstrations by the Texas Warbird Thunder and the Four Aces.
Guests at the event will marvel at the twists and turns and dives that the planes
perform. Afterward, they can meet with the pilots.
Dreams Take Flight
Twenty years ago, Paul Curry, 59, of Katy, had never flown a remote-control plane and he never even knew there was a perfect field for flying them off of Katy Hockley Road. Curry would eventually learn to build his own planes and help others build and fly their own planes. His hobby became his passion.
Twenty years later, Curry is the Vice President of the Space City RC club. He now spends his time helping others learn about Katy’s best kept secret hobby. He especially loves helping parents and kids team up, not just to build planes, but to spend time bonding with each other.
Curry told Katy Magazine that the Texas Warbird Thunder was actually formed right here in Katy. They have grown to 600 members and have traveled to multiple states for shows.
Setting Records
How many aircraft can fly at a time?
“We will be flying some formations of five,” says Joshua Borel, president of Space City RC. "The Google record is 27. I’m hoping for good weather and good pilots, and we will see what records we set.”
“These are not your little, bitty store-bought planes,” Curry says. “Some of these planes are 85 inches long and have a 25-horsepower engine in them. You have to be an expert handler to fly these, and we have the best in the state.”
Family Friendly Event
The War Birds Fly In event provides a great first exposure for young children, or anyone with sensitivity to loud noises to experience the awesomeness of an airshow. With the planes’ battery-powered engines, earplugs aren’t necessary. But this is an outdoor event in Texas, so put on the sunscreen, pack a picnic lunch, some chairs and binoculars.
Strollers and well-behaved dogs are welcome too, but dogs must be on a leash at all times. For everyone’s safety, the organizers discourage skateboards, bicycles, inline skates and wheelie footwear.
Becoming a Pilot
For fans who enjoy watching the planes fly and maneuver through the sky, classes are available to earn an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) license for flying remote-control aircraft.
“Space City has members from nine years old all the way up to 90,” Curry says. “We have many parent and child teams who make this a hobby. It’s far better than playing on a screen all day.”
Cost
Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase.
Directions
6332 Katy Hockley Road
Head North on Avenue D which turns into Katy Hockley Road. Once you pass Beckendorff Road, look right for the turn off.
Rain or Shine Event
The planes will take to the skies rain or shine. However, if the weather is severe, visit the Space City RC Facebook page for updated information.