It is estimated that in Canada alone there are some 12,000 people who enjoy flying high-tech model airplanes. North America's premiere event, the Rally of the Giants, is running Thursday to Sunday this week at the Arnprior Airport.
Giant model planes are defined as having at least 80-inches of wingspan. This year's rally in Arnprior is a first for Canada and will pull more than 200 pilots from Europe as well as the U.S. and Canada.
They are not the model planes of just a few years ago. Today's planes are packed with electric servo motors, ultra-powerful engines and design and materials that make them stronger than ever. A jet-turbine-powered craft's engine can be worth over $2,000.
Dave Penchuck says it's a thrill to fly the plane. He works in the technology sector and likes the tech that powers the planes.
Many of the pilots have been in aviation in some way. Martin Passfield was with the New Zealand air force in maintenance. He says he has seen a rise in baby boomers coming out to the flying field with all their spare time and extra income.
Computer simulation is now a big part of the sport. Discount Hobbies is the Ottawa region's largest radio-control store. They have everything from build-it-yourself to ready-built. Now one of the hottest products is a computer simulator with controllers just like the ones the pilots use on real planes.
