Members of the Tuscarora Remote Control Flying Club will converge on the Fairlane Village mall this weekend for their annual airplane display show.
James Dunn, president of the club, said setup will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and the display will remain until the mall closes at 5 p.m. Sunday. The club will also be providing literature and magazines featuring the hobby.
"If you walk by, they are very eye-catching. You will not forget it if you come," Dunn said.
Most of the club's members are expected to bring their planes, ranging from Warbirds, P-51s, Catalinas and water planes.
Dunn said the club held an event in February at the Laurel Mall, Hazleton. Although disrupted by winter weather, the club was still able to display about 17 planes. He said visitors can expect between 25 and 30 this weekend at the mall in Pottsville.
Along with the different types of planes, the inner workings of the models such as engines will be shown.
Members will also be present to answer any questions visitors may have on model airplanes or the club, such as membership information. While Dunn said he has only been involved for four years, some members have more than 40 years of experience working with the models.
The club meets at Tuscarora State Park on the first Monday of each month. Its flying field, also located at the park in Barnesville, is occupied by the club members on a daily basis. Dunn said he flies from March to December, weather permitting.
One goal of the mall show is to garner interest in the hobby, especially in Schuylkill County. According to Dunn, the county is not a hot spot for model aviation but the sport is popular around the region.
"It is not as big as other places but the state of Pennsylvania is (favorable) in the hobby," Dunn said.
Although the models require a lot of time and work, it is a hobby that can span generations. Dunn said they see interest in the youth at the mall shows.
"The kids love them, from very old to grownups," Dunn said.
Heather Stine, mall marketing director, said she expects a good turnout for this weekend's show.
"A lot of people come to see it. They put a really nice display out," Stine said.
The show has been a yearly staple on the mall's event calendar. Stine said she has worked with the flying club for at least seven years and knows it held the event for many previous years.
"It will blow your mind when you see them because you don't think models can look so good, and they fly," Dunn said.
The flying club is preparing for two of its biggest events in the summer. On July 13, the club will host its Warbirds Show at the field at Tuscarora State Park. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m., with a rain date set for July 14. A few weeks later, the club will hold Aerorama 2013 at 9 a.m. Aug. 18 at the flying field. A rain date is set for Aug. 25.
For more information on the Tuscarora RC Flying Club, visit www.tuscarorarcflyingclub.com.