Club History
A History by Deryl Kartz, Society Historian
Updated April, 2024
The Edmonton Radio Control Society began in 1959 with a small group of young men transitioning from free flight and control line model flying, into the new radio control sport, called R/C. The radios were primitive and unreliable and were sometimes built by the flyers themselves. They were self taught and had to master the fact they were in multi directional mode and had to figure out how to fly back towards themselves and ultimately land. Takeoffs were voluntary and landings became mandatory. A lot of the early models did not survive long. However, as equipment like the then new $1,000 Kraft system came on the scene, flying became truly "proportional". That is, the airplane control surfaces moved in sync with the flight transmitter sticks. Some early models still exist today, even after over sixty years, and are still flyable.
These early radio control pioneers started renting flying space near Ellerslie Road, in a portion of a farmer's yard. The rented space was paid for out of their own pockets. The original founders that started the Edmonton Radio Control Society were Harold (Harry) Tom, Dick Henderson and Bob Parkes. Later, Ross Grady, Bill Carroll, Ron Simonson, Steve Baxter, Doug Goddard, Merv Stuart, Harold (Bud)Haight, Ed Hardy and Dan Libich contributed to the field rental, and took up the sport.
Russ Goulay became the first President in 1960 under the newly chartered Society and served two terms. He was succeeded by Ross Grady, 2 terms, Jack Ellifson, 2 terms, Merv Stuart, 4 terms, Deryl Kartz, 2 terms, John Maland 4 terms, and Wayne Watson 4 terms. There was a succession of one term presidents: Dave Cornish, Bruce Bender, Terry Willis, and John Brown. Mo Alam served 2 terms, and Tom Robertson resigned mid term. Don Bain took over mid term and served an additional 2 terms. Dave Kachorowski was president for the next 4 terms, then Ed Zeschuck took over the following 3 terms, then Brian Bell for 1 term and Don Miller for 2 terms. Brian Bell again served 1 term. Bill Derkson served 3 terms, Rick Zaplachinski, 3 terms, Todd Tate 1 term, Muryl Marler 3 terms, Chris Hammond 1 term, and finally Scott Crosby who is in his second term. There have been to date 24 different presidents serving over the last 65 years.
Other currently active members with long term involvement in R/C and the ERCS are, Deryl Kartz, Ian Middleton, Peter Cary and Muryl Marler over 45 years. Neil Hansen was the membership chairman for 15 years and Allan McGillis was treasurer for 11 years. There are more long-term members to add, giving an indication of how long this sport has been supported locally.
A monthly newsletter was started by Merv Stuart around 1962 and he personally funded it for about twenty years. Jim Childerhouse, Jim Barton, Ed Zeschuck, Dave Kachorowski, Jerry Van Dyke, Dave McGowan and Brad Lourie have continued the tradition of newsletter editor in the past. We now have an online news site.
A Wings Program was started in 1978 by John Brown and was handled by Don Miller for many years. This is following the format of MAAC, the Model Aircraft Association of Canada. It trains new pilots to safely fly and is a prerequisite to flying solo at all ERCS fields. There is an instructor and senior instructor test as well. Currently there are two senior instructors, Peter Cary and Ian Middleton. They were the original flight testers for this program. In 1985, Ian Middleton started a Ground School. This trains new members about the safe and proper construction of their model. This is then followed by flight training under the Wings Program. With these programs ERCS has not had a serious mishap, aside from the odd mangled finger trying to start an engine.
In 1991 there were some members that were not in agreement with impending changes to noise levels of the engines and a new muffler rule. The President of the day resigned mid- term and left the club. Under Don Bains 3 terms as president, some milestones occurred. There was the implementation of a noise rule requiring all engines to be muffled. This caused some conflict and some members left for other clubs. Under Don Bain there was a Member of the Year Award inaugurated for exceptional or long-term contributions to ERCS. Also, the executive at the time recognized that the current field south of 167 avenue was going to be taken over by a soccer club, and a way to fund a new site had to be implemented. A one-time $100 field development fee was assessed to all existing and new members. This has not changed to this day. Later in 1993 an annual air show was started to inform the public and gather support for the sport. There were also annual auctions that Muryl Marler organized as a means of raising operational funds. The field on 167 avenue was developed in 1992 and was taken over for construction development by the landlord in 2010. There was a field in the Clover Bar area that took three years of work and leadership from Ed Zeschuck to become operational. It was co-operated by ERCS and the Strathcona Flyers group. That field is now closed, making way for Anthony Henday Drive.
The newest Field called Bremner Field was sourced by Bruce Bender. Bruce worked four years on acquisition arrangements and a lease with Lafarge Aggregates was signed in 2006. The field is now owned by the County of Strathcona and a license to operate a Model Aircraft Facility is issued on a year-to-year basis.
