Rotorua Model Aircraft Club Stunt and Team Racing event

If you thought kite flying was lacking a bit of spark then control-line model aeroplanes may be just what the doctor ordered.

Pilots of these methanol-fuelled machines stand firmly on the ground and do stunts and races with their model planes while controlling them with long wires.

The Rotorua Model Aircraft Club Stunt and Team Racing event this Saturday and Sunday will showcase the model planes at the RMAC flying field on Mead Rd, near the Blue Lake, from 10am to 3pm.

Club newsletter editor David Thornley said it was a skilful art and a lot of fun to do.

"The planes are joined by 20m wires," he said.

"It's a growing sport, actually a lot of people are getting back into it now.

"I think it's the feel of the plane pulling on the wires that a lot of people like because it gives you a direct link to the plane."

Mr Thornley said it was really good to watch and anyone who came down on Saturday would get a chance to have a go flying one of the models.

"Some of the stunts are incredible.

"Gosh you think a plane is going to crash then the pilot pulls it out just before it hits the ground. My heart is in my mouth most of the time."

Mr Thornley said the weekend was divided into stunts and battles on Saturday and racing on Sunday. He said the battles were very exciting, featuring two pilots attempting to cut off a streamer from the back of the opponent's plane.

"It is actually a real gentlemen's sport."

He said the planes travelled about 150km/h and pilots were required to wear crash helmets just in case a rogue plane comes crashing down.