Gone are the days of straight and low model helicopter flying. In the past few years this hobby has evolved into a popular sport, and is now considered a challenging art.

X-Cell Stratus, custom painted canopy, Futaba digital servos, V-Blades, carbon fibre 3D fins, Futaba GY611/S9256 gyro, YS 91 engine, in model helicopter language this equals one impressive heli. On any given day Whiteman Park is home to six model aircraft clubs as part of the Western Australian Model Aircraft Sports Centre (WAMASC). At 12 noon Sunday, however, move over jets and planes, the Whiteman Park model helicopter club arrives and stays until dark.

Whiteman Model Helicopter Club (WMHC) was formed in 2000 and currently consists of 30 members. Darren Bowers, club president, is adamant that this number will escalate, “the club has grown enormously with approximately one new member per week in the last year.”

Even though WMHC is expanding, model helicopter flying still remains largely unknown by the general public. To the WMHC members, however, the helicopter flight experience is truly incredible.

As the WMHC experience level ranges from beginners to seasoned veteran flyers there is always someone on hand to assist a new member during their first flight.

Bowers states, “there’s nothing better than the thrill of doing it for the first time.” He continues, “it’s such a personal challenge that even the most sceptical will be totally stoked.”

The basics of flying a model helicopter are fairly straightforward to grasp, although keeping control of the aircraft is not such a simple undertaking.

Bowers insists, “the public need to understand that you’ve got [helicopter] blades going round at 1800-2000 revs [per minute].” Members of WMHC admit they have injured themselves flying model helicopters, sometimes requiring medical attention.

Due to the possible extreme nature of model helicopter flying, the WMHC members consider safety to be a crucial part of the flying experience.

Bowers explains, “we have national and state safety regulations in place for a reason to ensure the safety of everyone involved,“ Bowers continues, “it is illegal to fly model helicopters anywhere except a MAAA [Model Aeronautical Association of Australia] registered field.”

Nigel Brown, former motocross rider and current 3D (freestyle) helicopter champion has been flying model helicopters for six years, four of which were part time whilst he was involved with motor cross.