About Bayou City Flyers and the Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields
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DSMA - Powered RC Fixed Wing Runway
The name of this model airplane complex honors the memory of the late NASA astronaut Francis R. (Dick) Scobee. He was the Commander of the orbiter Challenger, (STS-51-L) launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, January 28, 1986.
Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ellison S. Onizuka, Ronald E. McNair and Payload Specialists Gregory B. Jarvis and Sharon Christa McAuliffe perished when the Challenger exploded, one minute and thirteen seconds after launch.
The RC flying facility was originally proposed by Mr. Rollie McGinnis. After several years of conducting environmental impact studies and actual construction, the world- class facility was opened and dedicated as Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields (DSMA) on August 16, 1986. Looking at a Google Maps Earth view of the runway, an outline of the original grass runway oriented 50 / 230 as well as extensions to the north and south ends of the paved runway can be seen.
By lease agreement with Harris County, Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields is operated by the Houston Area Model Council, Inc. (HAMCI).
The powered RC area for fixed wing, helicopter and drones is “home field” to the Bayou City Flyers. This area features considerable parking, public restrooms a Bayou City Flyers clubhouse, covered preparation area, start-up area and individual pilot stations. RC pilots must have a valid Academy of Modeling Aeronautics membership to use the Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields and must demonstrate safety and flight proficiency to fly without an instructor. Membership in the Bayou City Flyers is required to use the clubhouse. Members of Bayou City Flyers are obligated to enforce the field safety rules.
Special thanks to the US Army Corps of Engineers and the crews at George Bush Park - Harris County Precinct Three for maintaining Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields. Without their diligent work and dedication Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields would not be the biggest and best RC and control flying facility in Houston.
George Bush Park is comprised of 7,800 acres of park land, open for all to enjoy. The park has riding trails, bicycle paths, soccer fields, baseball fields, ponds & bayous, dog parks, play grounds and cookout areas and is open 365 days a year.
Bayou City Flyers History
In talking with some longtime members of the Bayou City Flyers it is believed the founders of the club first flew from a grass area bounded to the east by what is now West Sam Houston Tollway, to the south by Bellaire Blvd and to the west by Rogerdale Road. At the time, they were known as the Alief Air Force (AAF). Some of these founding members included Baxter Marsh and Paul King.
The Alief Air Force moved out to the model aircraft flying field in George Bush Park known as Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields (DSMA) in the late 1980's. The field had been constructed under a plan with Harris County Precinct 3 and the Houston Area Model Council, Inc., and approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston Office. A 10-year lease agreement between the parties was approved August 15, 1986 when the area was originally named Cullen-Barker Park.
Following the move to George Bush Park and the subsequent dedication of the fields as DSMA, members of the Alief Air Force voted to change the club name to Bayou City Flyers at their December 4, 1992 meeting. This was done via suggestions of new names and a general membership vote. The new Bayou City Flyers logo was created in 1993 by Michael Wise. The first newsletter of the Bayou City Flyers was issued January 1993 and it showed AMA Charter # 901 (same as the Alief Air Force) and used on the earlier Alief Air Force Flyer Newsletters and by which the AMA now recognizes Bayou City Flyers. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) notes the Bayou City Flyers RC club was chartered as # 901 on February 1, 1982.
A member of the Bayou City Flyers recalls attending the ceremony where Mrs. Francis R. (Dick) Scobee dedicated the model flying complex on August 16, 1986 to her husband to what is now known as Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields. Bayou City Flyers call the powered RC fixed wing, helicopter and multirotor (drones) model aircraft flying areas at Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields their “home” field.
The Bayou City Flyers has an active membership with 100 plus members. It meets at 10: 00 am on the first Saturday of each month at the airfield clubhouse. Monthly meetings are typically one hour or less. Members fly a wide range of model aircraft which include fixed wing, helicopters and multirotor (drones) which are powered by electric motors, 2 cycle or 4 cycle reciprocating engines and jet engines. Models include scratch built, plans/kits, ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) and PNP (Plug n Play or BNF (Bind and Fly) (bind/connect your receiver to your transmitter) and Fly. Membership includes novice to experienced pilots some of whom enjoy answering technical questions or helping others build and fly their aircraft.
Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields are open year-round. As the airfields are located in George Bush Park which is within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control reservoir created by the Barker dam there could be periods during or following heavy rains where the airfields are inaccessible due to high water.
Pilots DO NOT have to be members of the Bayou City Flyers to use Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields. They MUST, however, have a valid membership to the Academy of Model Aeronautics and demonstrate proficiency in safely flying their model to a BCF safety officer or flight instructor and their aircraft must carry a FAA UAS registration number. Members of the Bayou City Flyers are obligated to enforce the Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields Safety Rules. Please understand if you are approached by a club member who may be asking you about AMA membership or your knowledge of the safety rules as it is each and everyone's responsibility to help ensure a safe environment.
Come on out to the field and make yourself known to a member who will ideally be able to talk about the club and show you around. If you have questions or concerns please contact one of our club officers.
Following the move to George Bush Park and the subsequent dedication of the fields as DSMA, members of the Alief Air Force voted to change the club name to Bayou City Flyers at their December 4, 1992 meeting. This was done via suggestions of new names and a general membership vote. The new Bayou City Flyers logo was created in 1993 by Michael Wise. The first newsletter of the Bayou City Flyers was issued January 1993 and it showed AMA Charter # 901 (same as the Alief Air Force) and used on the earlier Alief Air Force Flyer Newsletters and by which the AMA now recognizes Bayou City Flyers. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) notes the Bayou City Flyers RC club was chartered as # 901 on February 1, 1982.
A member of the Bayou City Flyers recalls attending the ceremony where Mrs. Francis R. (Dick) Scobee dedicated the model flying complex on August 16, 1986 to her husband to what is now known as Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields. Bayou City Flyers call the powered RC fixed wing, helicopter and multirotor (drones) model aircraft flying areas at Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields their “home” field.
The Bayou City Flyers has an active membership with 100 plus members. It meets at 10: 00 am on the first Saturday of each month at the airfield clubhouse. Monthly meetings are typically one hour or less. Members fly a wide range of model aircraft which include fixed wing, helicopters and multirotor (drones) which are powered by electric motors, 2 cycle or 4 cycle reciprocating engines and jet engines. Models include scratch built, plans/kits, ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) and PNP (Plug n Play or BNF (Bind and Fly) (bind/connect your receiver to your transmitter) and Fly. Membership includes novice to experienced pilots some of whom enjoy answering technical questions or helping others build and fly their aircraft.
Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields are open year-round. As the airfields are located in George Bush Park which is within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control reservoir created by the Barker dam there could be periods during or following heavy rains where the airfields are inaccessible due to high water.
Pilots DO NOT have to be members of the Bayou City Flyers to use Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields. They MUST, however, have a valid membership to the Academy of Model Aeronautics and demonstrate proficiency in safely flying their model to a BCF safety officer or flight instructor and their aircraft must carry a FAA UAS registration number. Members of the Bayou City Flyers are obligated to enforce the Dick Scobee Memorial Airfields Safety Rules. Please understand if you are approached by a club member who may be asking you about AMA membership or your knowledge of the safety rules as it is each and everyone's responsibility to help ensure a safe environment.
Come on out to the field and make yourself known to a member who will ideally be able to talk about the club and show you around. If you have questions or concerns please contact one of our club officers.
DSMA - Control Line Flying