Ben Oliver, president of the Knox County Remote Control club (1999), prepares his Viper for flight. Other members have brought out their models for a Sunday morning flight. The club has about 120 members. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

A scale World War II fighter plane and a Bluehawk bi-plane sit on the Knox County Remote Control airfield runway. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Selected planes from Zarestky's aircraft collection. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Selected planes from Zarestky's aircraft collection. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Jerel Zarestky, standing, prepares for a training session with John Herrle. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Jerel and John take the plane through its paces via a buddy box system that allows the instructor to help the student pilot if he gets into trouble. The training device almost completely eliminates crashes as novices learn to take off and land. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Ben Oliver works on his Viper between flights. Ben competes regularly in regional pattern competitions along with several other members of the club. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Flyers use a radio transmitter to guide the plane through flight. Today's transmitters can get quite sophisticated. The one Jerel is holding has a timer, a digital readout and is programmable for up to 10 different aircraft set ups. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Jerel's helicopter takes to the sky. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli

Joe Parrott holds his scale model of a World War II fighter plane while Chris Field preflights the controls. Joe built and painted the plane himself, and it's a favorite of regulars at the air field. Staff Photo by Kelley Scott Walli