Flying comes with strings attached

Rotorua Model Aircraft Club's David Thornley will be heading to this weekend's Stunt Control Line Model Event. Photo / File

Local aviation enthusiasts can get a taste for thrilling model plane action this weekend.

Rotorua Model Aircraft Club is hosting a stunt control line model competition at its club flying field on Mead Rd tomorrow, and locals are encouraged to go along and watch.

Club member David Thornley said the competition will be the final of a series across the country.

He said it would be packed with exciting model aircraft stunts.

"It can get really exciting, the planes can get really close to the ground and are often pulled away at the last minute.

"Sometimes there's some wipeouts and crashes too."

Mr Thornley said there was a lot of skill involved in the activity, and hoped the event might attract more people, the younger generation in particular, to take it up.

At present the club has about 30 members but Mr Thornley said he would love to see that number increase.

"It's something quite unique," he said.

Mr Thornley said about 12 pilots were expected to fly their model aircraft at the event.

Control line models were particularly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, he said.

The event will be followed by a barbecue.

Details

What: Rotorua Model Aircraft Club Stunt Control Line Model Event
Where: Rotorua Model Aircraft Club Flying Field, Mead Rd, Rotorua.
When: Tomorrow, from 10am to 3pm.
Cost: Free