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Riverview

Shop pushes big toys to next level

Remote control toys at a Riverview store are all grown up to cater to a new breed of hobbyists.

By MEAGHAN FORBES
Published October 7, 2005

Toys for big boys abound at a new store in Riverview.

RC Hobby Zone has everything a lover of oversized remote-control vehicles needs from nitro-powered airplanes, helicopters, motorcycles, monster trucks and boats.

"Everything is high performance. Everything is a little dangerous," said Chris Bielewicz, a Cessna pilot, former aviation instructor and store owner.

The shop, near Interstate 75 and U.S. 301, caters to grownup remote control toy buyers. It features vehicles powered by a radio signal that allows them to zip up and down tracks, speed, flip, fly and land safely.

Most of the vehicles are scaled-down versions modeled after the real thing. The smallest vehicle he sells is a 10-inch car. The largest is an airplane with a 10-foot wingspan modeled after a Piper J3 Cub.

"You can rebuild any of these things if you crash them," says the 34-year-old owner. "If not, we'll fix them for you."

Bielewicz says the hobby has had a recent comeback. Enthusiasts lost interest in the sport when prices for parts and the actual vehicles escalated. Now, with prices dropping, the customers keep coming, Bielewicz said.

"We've sold half the store since opening three months ago," he said.

For those who don't know how to operate their new toy, Bielewicz teaches them. He even gives instruction for flying aircraft via a flight simulator program connected to a 42-inch plasma TV in the store.

He says it helps prepare owners for the field and avoid costly crashes.

Not only are remote control vehicles fun for a hobby, but they're also useful tools to the government and other authorities in security and testing, he said.

And airports use remote control planes to scare off birds so they don't attack airliners, he said.

Forrest Waller, one of Hobby Zone's regular customers, said the U.S. Geological Survey used a remote control aircraft to collect dust samples in a recent study of African dust. Waller, a model airplane pilot who's been flying these planes since age 8, was the pilot and designer of that aircraft.

"We're the only civilian department using unmanned aerial vehicles," said Waller, 44, who's a senior contracting officer with the government agency.

Waller also flies competitively at local airfields and performs at Top Gun in Lakeland, an annual invitational event with the top 100 remote control pilots in the world. There, you'll find professional remote control junkies who make a lot of money competing.

"This is a line of survival for some people . . . It's what they do," Bielewicz says.

Bielewicz sets up a track of his own in front of his shop on the weekends. It's mainly for on-road car and off-road mini-truck racing.

He's looking forward to a flying field and racing track that a club plans to open near Balm-Boyette Road early next year.

"I won't have to go to Dale Mabry anymore," said Jody Suarez of Ruskin, who has been racing at a track in Tampa for 11/2 years. Just before the new track opens, Bielewicz hopes to be in a larger store. He also wants to host shows at local schools to draw more attention to the sport.

"It's a big hobby, really big," Bielewicz said. "People don't realize how many people are in it."

Meaghan Forbes can be reached at 661-2439 or mforbes@sptimes.com

WHAT: RC Hobby Zone

WHERE: 13346 Lincoln Road, Riverview (off Big Bend Road, between I-75 and U.S. 301)

WHEN: Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COST: Prices start at $100 for cars, $600 for helicopters, $150 for boats and $15 for airplanes.

CONTACT: 234-0899

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 08:26:07]