What is Model Flying?
Model flying is the sport of building and flying miniature aircraft of all types – aeroplanes, helicopters and gliders. Superbly detailed scale representations of full-sized aircraft, day-to-day “sports” models and highly developed competition level aircraft can be seen at a typical day’s flying at Epsom Radio Flying Club.

We are affiliated to the British Model Flying Association, which is the body appointed by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Royal Aero Club to govern the sport of model flying in the UK. This keeps us up to date with best practices and also provides the Club and all of its members with full third party insurance.

Model aircraft today are a world apart from those of even twenty years ago. They are remarkably quiet and unobtrusive, with electric powered aircraft being virtually silent.


Model flying offers a wide range of experiences to all that participate:

• Increasing responsibility, for the individual operation of the aircraft as well as helping with the overall running of the Club;
• Pride and achievement at building and flying your own model aircraft and continually improving your skills;
• Excellent social opportunities at the flying field, at mid week club meetings and at the various events we support throughout the year;
• Exercise and fitness – model flying provides gentle and regular physical exercise;
• Development of interpersonal skills, especially for young people, and gives confidence in the handling of complex situations.

Who Can Benefit?
The short answer is everyone! However, the Sport is particularly beneficial to certain demographics, all of which are fully represented within the Club.

Young Members
We have several CRB checked instructors, a dedicated welfare officer and a child welfare policy, to allow for the training and active membership of children of all ages. We have good experience of training our young members and helping them achieve their full potential.

By allowing our young members to develop skills, interests and responsibilities they can grow to become outstanding members of society.

Older Members
We have many older members – some having been members from the inception of the Club! Model flying gives them the opportunity for mental and physical exercise, a wide social network, and the chance to participate in all types of activity within the Club.

Disabled Members
There is no limit to who can fly model aircraft, although some people with disabilities may require more support than others to achieve their goals. We currently have a profoundly deaf member who is one of our most active and prolific participants, and one of our junior members is a selective mute who is benefiting from the relaxed social aspect of the sport. We have also had other deaf members and have had wheel-chair dependent people come along to experience the sport first hand.

ERFC encourages everyone to get involved in the sport of model flying, although as with all sports there are certain physical requirements to safely operate model aircraft. We operate a completely open membership policy and have a Welfare Officer to support a vulnerable adults policy to ensure that no-one is disadvantaged as a result of their situation.

The Future…
We are currently restricted on the number of members we can accommodate as we can only operate on one day each week. Our goal is to obtain a site where we can fly on a more frequent basis, which will allow us to actively promote ourselves within the local community and extend our reach to many more people who perhaps wouldn’t otherwise have thought of trying model flying.

Members please click here on the 'members button' on the left to enter the main club site.