John Sader’s remote-controlled plane comes in for a landing.

LA PINE — Garbed in suspenders, Bernie Brader stepped onto Dorrance Meadow on Sunday and revved up a remote-controlled plane.

With the flip of a switch, the red and white Kadet LT-40 ARF sped across the field, lifted off the ground — and then nose-dived.

“You’re always learning,” Brader said.

The 60-year-old flew planes Sunday afternoon in a meadow of melting snow with about 20 other people who call themselves the La Pine RC Flyers. The group typically meets once or twice a week year-round. While the flyers have different skills and ages, Brader said most of the club’s 34 members have been practicing for 10 years and are at least 60 years old.

“You’re flying for fun,” he said. “That’s why we do this.”

The planes weigh anywhere from 2 ounces to 8 pounds, and the wingspans can extend to 8 feet.

Combined with fair wind and clear skies, Brader said the planes can cruise at 50 mph.

Part of the fun is just building the planes, said Dennis Buch-miller, 59, who constructed model cars before getting into remote-controlled planes.

“I like to build,” he said. “But I wanted to take the next step … and I don’t have the money or time to be a real pilot.”

A plane kit typically costs $350, Brader said. Most of the flyers have at least two.

“We all have more than one plane,” he added. “It’s a sickness. But it’s better than drinking at the bar.”

Many planes run on a mix of oil and alcohol, but some are electric.

For example, Dick Lydick, 66, flew a 2-ounce plane that he made out of pink Mylar and a CD-ROM converted motor. It ran on seven volts of electricity.

“(It’s) relaxing,” Lydick said while sporting blue jeans, leather overalls and a snow white Santa beard. “I like to fellowship with the guys.”

But not just men came.

Several women showed up to the event Sunday afternoon and clapped for the RC Flyers while sitting in lawn chairs and snacking on Triscuits.

“We’re the cheerleaders,” said Margy Young, 75.

“What I enjoy about it is to see the guys having a good time,” she said later. “It’s good clean fun. There’s no drinking, no smoking.”

Dorrance Meadow isn’t the only place the RC Flyers go.

When the weather warms, they like taking their planes to Wickiup Reservoir, Brader said. They have even flown sometimes in the snow.

But sometimes gravity gets the upper hand.

Paul Lamb, 61, flew a yellow balsa wood plane Sunday afternoon that slammed into the ground and snapped in half.

That did not deter Lamb.

“It will fly again,” he said.