You might not have a chance to enjoy the thrill and excitement of flying a real plane, but there is another way for you to experience the same gusto -- to manoeuvre radio controlled (RC) model aeroplanes in the sky.

Apart from having a lot of fun, you are helping to promote the healthy lifestyle advocated by the Force.

Some might think that the sport is difficult to master and costly. Yes, it might be, if they have not received proper training. The new Police Model Flying Club will offer a big help to those eager to enjoy the fun of flying a RC model plane.

During an interview with OffBeat, Senior Inspector Wong Chan-chung of Traffic, New Territories South, who is a member of the Police Model Flying Club and a model aircraft enthusiast, pointed out that the club aims to share experience with beginners, and help them avoid unnecessary expense or heartache at the start.

Excitement and fascination

"A RC model plane operates with the same principles as a full-scale aeroplane," SIP Wong explained. "The entire thrill is the ability to control the model's attitude in flight, sometimes at a distance of several hundred feet away, manoeuvring the aeroplane and landing it close by, just like full-scale aircraft. You just can't imagine how excited and fascinated I am when the plane flies smoothly in the way I want.

"Once you can land the plane safely, you will be captivated by this hobby," noted SIP Wong. This was exactly how he started his hobby nearly 13 years ago.

In 1992, his colleagues asked him to join them in flying model planes. After several flying sessions, he began to have a try, and soon became "addicted" to the sport.

First model plane

"I bought my first model plane right after I had managed landing. Flying the plane in the sky is not that difficult; it is the landing that is more daunting for most beginners because it can easily crash during the process. It took me almost three months to master the skill of landing.

"After you have overcome the difficulties, model plane flying can be a lot of fun. As you may fly your plane in different environments, you'll have to adjust your flying technique accordingly. It's a hobby that combines judgment, experience and skill. You will never get bored!" explained SIP Wong.

Apart from flying, assembling model planes is also an interesting aspect of the sport. Having a carpentry background, SIP Wong has not taken too long to master the skill. He now buys 90 per cent unassembled planes instead of half-finished products in order to get more satisfaction.

Even for experienced flyers, having their planes crashed is sometimes inevitable. SIP Wong still remembers the unforgettable experience of "salvaging" his plane from the sea.

"My plane was floating in the sea about 50 metres from the shore. I hesitated for a while, but eventually jumped into the choppy sea to pick it up. If the same thing were to happen again, I'm not going to risk my life because I had put myself in a quite dangerous situation," he swore.

International competitions

After several years' continuous practice, aerobatic flying, like straight flying, diving, looping, etc., is no longer a problem for SIP Wong. He is among the 20 to 30 flyers in Hong Kong who can complete the 22 different manoeuvres in sequence, set by international model aircraft flying competitions. "I participated in competitions in Thailand and Singapore in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Though my performances were less than perfect, that was a valuable experience because I had learnt a lot from other professional flyers," he said.

SIP Wong reminded beginners that flying safety is the most paramount factor. "You have to make sure that your plane will not endanger the people around you. Get experienced flyers with you because they are great teachers for various things such as engine problems, repairs and assembling," he said.

Regarding the cost of the hobby, SIP Wong said the price of a model plane and its necessary accessory had dropped over the years. For a beginner, a start-up set, including a model plane, transmitter, engine, etc., costs around $3,000.

"If you can avoid crashing your plane, there will be no additional cost," he said with a smile.

Those interested in joining the Police Model Flying Club may contact its Vice-chairman Liu Siu-fun at 9822-0201 for details.

The club will stage an exhibition of model planes and flying demonstrations at PSRC on April 16 for Force members and their families. In addition, there will be a computer simulated flying session for beginners.

Part of SIP Wong's large collection of RC planes