RE: off-topic...what other hobbies do you have?
My other hobby is Astronomy. Both RC & Astronomy I loved as a kid, but neither did I get to do until I was an adult. Now I'm kinda making up for lost time.
Astronomy is very rewarding to me but the times of having a clear dark sky to view is few a far between. That's why I'm glad I have RC planes to fall back on.
As far as viewing the Stars from dark locations places near my home. I do attend week long Star Parties in the Spring and Fall. Soon to be going to the Staunton River Star Party in VA. On March 7th.
Everyone be on the look out for "Comet Panstarrs" in mid March. Look to the west just after Sunset to see this Great Comet. It should be naked eye viewable just like Hale-Bopp was in 1997.
My Telescope now is a 12 inch Orion Dobsonian reflector Telescope with DSC (Digital setting circles) in short a computer. See in the attached photo.
Regards, Jim