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There is a radio controlled flight club for the DC area, which operates out of Gaithersburg (really not that far a drive from DC proper).

http://www.dc-rc.org/

I thought it was a pretty funny idea, though not something that I would likely do in real life. I must say, however, that RC airplanes are just one of those hobbies that I don't get. (I realize that hobbies are a personal expression and vary as does taste or religion, and while I would never begrudge someone their pastime/belief/etc. there are some that I just can't fathom.) Why spend thousands of dollars imitating being a pilot when you can go out and do it for about the same price tag? Certainly a Private Pilot certificate is more expensive, and possibly a larger time commitment (at least intitially) but once you get into the uberRCers, I doubt the margin betwixt the two is all that large. Again, this is just my opinion, but scale Warship Combat seems like a much more entertaining use of RC technology. Though I do admit that this is f'king cool.

Or you could stop giving slashdot users a bad name and just click on the "Info" link on the site. It provides links to a couple of sites detailing the project. Here's one.

Additionally, becoming a slashdot subscriber doesn't entitle you to better journalism, just less ads and a few other features. The editors aren't journalists. If you spent your money thinking they were, then I have a nice Nigerian man that you may need your help. :)

More Info: For every minute I've ever flown on an RC Heli, I've spent at least 5 fixing/repairing it on the ground.

I think this might jive with full-size helicopters. I think they also spend several times the hours with the mechanic than the pilot.

I don't personally have RC stuff, but I'm terribly tempted to try it (my brother-in-law flies gliders). I've heard the same comments on the helicopters, but watching telented people fly them really gets the geeky juices flowing...

They tend to suffer from the same problems, however -- low flight times. You can have an electric R/C plane that's extremely high performance and fly for 3 minutes (with Ni-cads), or a very very tame flying plane that flys for 30 minutes (using Li-ion cells.) With a glow or gas engine, you can have a very high performance plane that flies for 30 minutes -- or you can try and fly across the Atlantic in an 11 lb plane.

Electrics are quieter, cleaner (no oil sprayed everywhere) and easier to deal with, which are the main reasons for their popularity. You can fly them where gas/glow planes would not be allowed.

Still, a plane that carries a passenger (i.e. not a model) for only 100 miles per charge really isn't going to be that useful. They're going to need to be able to make the fuel cells work before this plane will be accepted as anymore more than a toy. Either that, or they're going to need to make a *massive* improvent in battery technology -- such as being able to hold 5x as much charge. It may happen eventually, but it's not likely to happen soon.

From the site:

Latest 09:20 EST 8/8/02 -

Last night the launch site at Cape Spear was covered with heavy fog--zero visibility and ceiling zero. Launch has been scrubbed and the team is looking for another opportunity.

Here is the link to support this project:

http://www.dc-rc.org/STAR.HTM

They're looking for donations to help defray the cost of equipment, supplies, travel for the team, etc.