Top guns behind the controls of model planes have put some big smiles on the faces of children south of Brisbane this weekend.

The Loganholme Aeromodellers Radio Control Society flying field today hosted a free day out for members of the public to watch a control line flying event in action.

Control line is the original remote control where a model aircraft is flown within a hemisphere by a flyer with a handle that is connected to the model's mechanical control system via two thin steel cables.

Last year's free day out attracted more than 200 entrants and hundreds of spectators.

Today's event was part of the 68th Model Aeronautical Association of Australia's Model Aircraft National Championships, being held between the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

The national championships are running until April 19 at events between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. ( Supplied: Emma Parnell )

The championships began on Saturday and run until April 19.

Flyer Will Sipma said he regarded model planes as a sport because "it keeps the mature age gentlemen's brains ticking over".

"Some of the guys here have got a lot of time and a lot of money involved in it, and I don't know how some of the wives put up with them sometimes because I know mine sometimes cracks the hurts about it," he said.

Ken Bairt built his model plane from scratch over two and a half years. ( ABC News: Kirrin McKechnie )

"But anyway, that's just part of the sport."

Mr Sipma said it was predominately male hobby.

"Basically it's guys that like to escape into the shed, build models, come down here, have a talk to the other mates, do a bit of flying," he said.

"It teaches you a bit of dexterity, it opens up your brain, eye, hand coordination and sometimes a few words you didn't know as well.

Ken Bairt, who built his plane from scratch, thinks he has spent more than $35,000 keeping his hobby in the air.

"I've had to have a lot of patience because sometimes I feel like grabbing the plane and pulling the back off it, you know," he said.

MAAA president Neil Tank said the championships presented a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the sport and showcase aeromodelling in Australia.

"The nationals gives us a chance to show the public that flying model aircraft is a thrilling, fun sport the whole family can enjoy," he said.

"Because model aircraft are now easier than ever to operate many people buy them to fly in a local park, but soon discover that flying is quite a challenge.

"The nationals shows just how much you can achieve if you join an MAAA club that provides a safe place to fly and even have recognised flight instructors to help you get your wings."