Laurel Hill reestablishes radio controlled aircraft club

LAUREL HILL — The city of Laurel Hill has entered an agreement with the Laurel Hill RC Flyers, a club for radio-controlled model aircraft enthusiasts.

Laurel Hill's RC Flyers club began in 2008, but took a roughly three-year hiatus before its 2014 revival. The club eventually dissolved, but residents are trying to establish a new organization with the same theme.

Larry Pitts saw the need for an RC Flyers club in the North Okaloosa County area, so he began the paperwork. Approximately seven prospective members and the City Council have unanimously agreed to allow the club to use a portion of the Laurel Hill Industrial Park for flying radio-controlled aircraft.

According to the agreement, the club needs to maintain the area of the park they use by mowing grass and cleaning litter or debris generated by club members, guests or visitors. The Laurel Hill Industrial Park is 35 acres located two miles west of Highway 85 in Laurel Hill near the Florida-Alabama state line.

“We just enjoy flying," Pitts said. "The facility here is in a zone where there are no problems with the (Federal Aviation Administration).”

According to Pitts, the FAA limits areas like Crestview and Fort Walton Beach when it comes to flying radio-controlled aircraft, so some residents of these towns will come to Laurel Hill to join the club and enjoy the hobby. The Laurel Hill RC Flyers will only fly quiet electric planes, Pitts said.

Pitts is working to get the club chartered and filling out paperwork through the Academy of Model Aeronautics to receive insurance for their club. According to Pitts, the insurance will be for $2.5 million and will cover bodily injury and property damage for accidents.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill reestablishes radio controlled aircraft club