Discover Schiveley R/C Airfield Park Near Eagle Landing
For residents who have driven along Kuykendahl Road and wondered what happens at the wide-open flying field near FM 1960, the answer involves model aircraft, decades of volunteer effort and a local club whose history stretches back to the early 1990s.
Schiveley R/C Airfield Park, located at 13939 Kuykendahl Road in Houston, is a Harris County Precinct 1 park built around a purpose that is unusual among public recreation spaces: it is a dedicated flying field for radio-controlled aircraft and helicopters.
For families and hobbyists in Eagle Landing, its proximity means a specialized form of aviation recreation is available close to home — and the story behind the field is as much about persistence and community as it is about flying.
What Is Schiveley R/C Airfield Park?
Schiveley Radio Controlled Flying Field is operated by Houston Sport Flyers, an Academy of Model Aeronautics-chartered remote control flying club. The organization describes itself as a family-friendly club focused on building community through a shared interest in remote control flying in its many forms and styles.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Its primary feature is the radio-controlled flying field.
While residents may visit the area, pilots must be members of Houston Sport Flyers to operate radio-controlled aircraft at the field. Those interested in becoming involved can learn more about club membership and the application process through Houston Sport Flyers.
That makes the site different from a typical neighborhood park. Rather than playgrounds, sports courts or walking trails, Schiveley R/C Airfield Park provides something far more specialized: open airspace and a maintained flying area where R/C aviation enthusiasts can safely practice their hobby alongside others who share it.
A Local Flying Club With Roots Going Back Decades
The history of Houston Sport Flyers began well before the club arrived at its current Kuykendahl Road home.
According to an account from founding member and former club president Mark Hunt, Dick Schiveley and other local radio-control enthusiasts were flying in the early 1990s from a street behind Sam's Club along Interstate 45 North.
Schiveley eventually went looking for a more suitable place to fly. He located a vacant property behind Olshans Lumber on State Highway 249 and worked through the process of identifying the owner and securing permission to use it.
The property required considerable work. It had been used for illegal dumping, and Schiveley invested both time and money into transforming the site into a usable flying field. Volunteers later helped maintain the property, including mowing the field throughout Houston's summers.
The group eventually became an Academy of Model Aeronautics-sanctioned club, with member dues helping keep equipment running and the flying area maintained.
As participation grew, the organization also became more structured, establishing leadership and safety oversight as more pilots began using the field.
Finding a Permanent Home on Kuykendahl Road
Growth around the club's earlier flying location ultimately forced members to look elsewhere.
One possibility involved a closed landfill site near Willowbrook Mall, but the club determined that radio-frequency interference in the area made the location unsuitable for safe flying.
Attention then turned to an unused soccer field on Kuykendahl Road.
According to the club's history, Schiveley and fellow member Peter Muchmoore took the lead in contacting Harris County officials, working through the proposal process and pursuing permission for the organization to use the property.
Their effort eventually led to the club securing the field that remains its home today.
Hunt's account of that turning point ended with a fitting line for a flying club: “Who knows where it will go from here — the sky is the limit!”
Why the Field Carries Dick Schiveley's Name
The park was named for Dick Schiveley in recognition of his role in creating and sustaining the local R/C flying community.
His involvement went far beyond simply enjoying the hobby. From finding usable land and clearing dumping sites to working with property owners and county officials, Schiveley's persistence helped give area pilots a place to gather at a time when suitable flying sites could be difficult to secure.
Schiveley died on Dec. 19, 2005, after experiencing multiple health complications related to pneumonia. Houston Sport Flyers continues to recognize him as its founder.
Today, the field bearing his name serves as a reminder that some of the area's most distinctive community amenities began with residents who were willing to put in the work to build something for others.
A Different Kind of Community Gathering Place Near Eagle Landing
For someone unfamiliar with radio-controlled aviation, a dedicated flying field may seem like an unexpected feature in the Harris County park system. For R/C pilots, however, access to an appropriate location matters.
Model aircraft and helicopters need open space, proper operating procedures and a setting where pilots can fly without the obstacles commonly found in residential areas. A designated field also gives newcomers the opportunity to meet experienced hobbyists and learn more about aircraft, equipment and safe flying practices.
Houston Sport Flyers emphasizes that social side of the hobby as well. Its description of the club centers on being welcoming and family-friendly, with members connected by an enthusiasm for flying and sharing that interest with others.
For nearby residents, Schiveley R/C Airfield Park is another example of the surprisingly varied recreational opportunities found close to home — and one with a particularly local story behind it.
Interested in Flying?
Operating aircraft at Schiveley R/C Airfield Park requires membership in Houston Sport Flyers. Prospective members can review information about joining and submit an application through the club's website at hsflyers.com/a/r/szz/rc/apply.
The park is located at 13939 Kuykendahl Road, Houston, TX 77090, just south of FM 1960, and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For residents who enjoy aviation, engineering, model building or simply discovering something different in their part of Harris County, Schiveley R/C Airfield Park offers a nearby community built around the idea that sometimes a shared hobby can become something much bigger.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more stories about the parks, people and places near Eagle Landing.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
