SILENT ELECTRIC FLYERS OF SAN DIEGO
Another Great District X Fly Field Visit – Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego!
While spending the weekend in the San Diego area, my first stop was the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego (SEFSD) at their Mission Bay Model Aircraft Park near SeaWorld. Club Secretary John Casilio took the time to show me around the field and share some of the history of the club and flying site. I also learned about Steve Manganelli, who helped found the club around 1995. Today, the club has approximately 300 members, a 500-foot runway, and operates with a 200-foot flying ceiling. One of the first things that stood out to me was just how active this flying field was. The Pilot benches and pit area were nearly full, with members preparing airplanes, flying, and simply enjoying time together at the field. There was also a tremendous variety of electric aircraft. Walking through the pits, I saw everything from smaller sport and aerobatic airplanes to warbirds, twins, scale aircraft, and some very impressive electric jets.
The pictures really tell the story. There were airplanes everywhere! The location itself also makes this a pretty unique flying field. You’re flying in the Mission Bay area surrounded by palm trees and beautiful San Diego scenery, with SeaWorld visible nearby. I also learned something interesting about the history of the property. From approximately 1952 to 1959, the site was used as a Class I landfill before eventually being covered and, years later, becoming the model aircraft flying site members enjoy today.
More than anything, I enjoyed walking around, meeting members, talking airplanes, and seeing another healthy and active model aviation community. That’s one of my favorite parts about traveling throughout District X. Every flying field is different, and you really don’t understand what makes a club special until you get out there and spend some time with people who call it home.
A huge thank-you to Jon Casilio and everyone at the Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego for welcoming me and allowing me to spend some time at your field. It was a great first stop during an incredible San Diego weekend!
Safe Flying and Safe Landings!
JR Schiager
AMA District X Vice President
