Aruba Radio Control Club (A.R.C.C.)
ARCC is the only radio control aircraft club on the island. Several activities are held each year
at their Cascabel airfield.
How it started
ARCC possesses bylaws that date back to the year 1975. In accordance to these bylaws the foundation and the board
were formed in April of the year 1974 consisting of the following members:
- President W. Kerpens
- Vice President I. Vrolijk
- Secretary R. Everon
- 2nd Secretary J.M. Arends
- Treasurer Lim Pension
- 2nd Treasurer M. Arends
- Commissioner H. Kerpens
The club was founded by a group of affiialtes that were flying in an area called Westpunt, to the north of the island,
know today as the area of Tierra del Sol Golf Club. At this first field an asphalt runway and a roof to hide for the Sun was
constructed. On this field there were also numerous National and International competitions held.
Troubled period for ARCC
In the decade of 90's, ARCC lost the area in West Punt, which resulted in unhappiness in the group of members of the
Club, causing the retirement of several of them. From this period on the members of the Club were diminishing in
numbers. Due to this loss, the members were forced to fly in different locations on the Island in order to continue practicing
this Hobby. One of these locations was in Bushiri (Sail Cart). This area was later used for the construction of houses. The
same happened with other areas used such as "De Vuist" (former airport) and in Malmok the latter creating a problem due
to the large concentration of salt of the seawater.
A new beginning
Between the years 1997-1998, a commission was formed, which managed to obtain a piece of land and construct a
runway with all the necessary requirements. This same commission reorganized the Club, making it more attractive for the
future members. During the above-mentioned time span, several meetings were held with different departments of the
Government, achieving this way an area on Golfweg located in San Nicolaas.
The new airfield
On October 29, 2001 the ARCC "Cascabel Airfield" was officially inaugurated on the Golfweg in San Nicolaas. This was
done with an international Fun Fly competition and air show. This competition provided great interests to the public which
resulted in an increase in club members.
The Runway
The runway of A.R.C.C. named Cascabel Airfield was chosen by means of voting on the part of some of the Members who
from the beginning were involved with this project. They also took into account the opinion of several persons of the
neighborhood, which commented that in this location you can find many Cascabel serpents. But this was surely during the
time in which the area was covered only with stones and weeds. The Cascabel serpent is a typical serpent found only on
the Island of Aruba. With the help of different persons, the construction of an Asphalt runway was realized, with excellent
facilities for the public and the members. It is planned to keep improving (and extend) the existing facilities. The runway
consists of a pit area constructed of Asphalt, a taxiway of four (4) meters in width and fifteen (15) meters in length. This
taxiway is connected to the runway which has a heading of 110/290 degrees, and which has a width of ten (10) meters and
a length of eighty ( 80 ) meters. The field can be reached via an asphalt road, continued by a sand road of more or less
(100) meters, which finishes in a wide parking area. There is also a roof structure of more or less thirty (30) meters of
length on the field to protect the public from the sun. There is also a 20 ft container placed on the field for the sale of food
and refreshments and for storage. The runway is painted with specially designed marks and posts for Pattern competitions
that indicates " the maneuvering area " for the above mentioned competitions.
" Cascabel Airfield " was constructed and inaugurated thanks to the effort of all the club members and other organizations
in the community. Horacio Oduber, Raúl Croes, Rubín Ponson and Luis Oduber (The Board of the ARCC), Mike O'hara
(Coastal), Thiel Corporation Proyecto Plan Desarollo San Nicolaas, Cede Aruba, Hernac N.V. Joe Fabus (Heavy
Equipment Operator), ATCO, Simón Arends (AAA), Lotto Pa Deporte, Philip Ho Sing Loy, Bushiri Resort, Eddy De Veer
(Tropical Bottling Co.), Avia Air, Juan Briezen (material), Albo Aruba N.V., Aruba Hobbie Shop, Jairo Dania / Ruben Croes
(stunt plane), Serlimar, Public Works (Obras Publica)
The field is opened every day for all the members who want to fly for practice or just for fun. On Sundays the majority of
pilots are present from early hours of the morning until the late hours of the evening.
International participation by ARCC members
Some of the club members participated in different international competitions such as in Puerto Rico,
Venezuela, Surinam, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, and recently USA among others.
For more information on events, results, members, photos & more
Visit their webpage: www.arubarcclub.com
or contact them directly at: arubarcclub@hotmail.com
ArubaAviation.com
