April 2005 175
A MUTUALLY Favorable Arrangement: In
an era of increasing difficulty in locating and
securing real estate for flying sites, the Prince
William County Radio Control Flyers
(PWCRCF) in Northern Virginia have
worked out a mutually favorable arrangement
with the National Capital Area Council, Boy
Scouts of America. I attended an activity at
the club’s field and was impressed by this
unique relationship.
After spending several years migrating
across a number of privately held locations,
through the efforts of a few PWCRCF
members, the club forged an agreement with
the Boy Scouts at Camp William B. Snyder,
360 acres located approximately 40 miles
west of Washington, D.C.
Through a series of informal negotiations,
the PWCRCF secured an area on Camp
William B. Snyder for the establishment and
maintenance of an RC flying field that meets
the guidelines outlined in the AMA
handbook. In return—and in lieu of any
monetary payments to the Scouts—the
members conduct periodic Aviation Merit
Badge clinics.
The Aviation Merit Badge is one of the
Scouts’ most difficult to achieve—not just
because the material covered is difficult, but
because it is often hard to find knowledgeable
people willing to share their expertise or find
qualified merit-badge counselors.
With the informal agreement between the
PWCRCF and the Scouts, these obstacles
were overcome. The club membership
includes six certified merit badge counselors,
aviation professionals, aerospace engineers,
and many individuals who have learned the
fundamentals of flight through the school of
hard knocks! There is never a shortage of
members willing to donate their time to help
run the clinics—especially since it means the
continued use of a fine flying site!
Principles of powered flight including
generation of lift, basics of control surfaces
and their effects, propulsion systems,
instruments and how they are used, primary
navigation aids and tools, and differences
between fixed- and rotary-wing flight are
introduced in a classroom-style morning
session. The Scouts are encouraged to come
to this session prepared by reading their merit
badge preparation book.
During a break in the classroom session,
the Scouts put their knowledge into action by
conducting a series of flight tests using balsa
gliders with moveable control surfaces,
proving that the theories apply in the real
world. Greeted with enthusiasm by the
Scouts, it’s apparent that we’ve seen some
future aerospace engineers!
The afternoon is reserved for individual
meetings with merit-badge counselors who
question the Scouts and allow them the
opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge
of aviation principles. More than 30 Scouts
achieved their Aviation Merit Badge through
these clinics in 2004!
While individual Scouts are meeting with
their counselors, the rest rotate through
interviews with aviation professionals such as
airline pilots, flight attendants, air-trafficcontrol
operators, etc. (which is a requirement
for the merit badge) and get some buddy-box
stick. time with PWCRCF instructor pilots on
one of the club trainers.
They have an opportunity to see various
types of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft put
through their paces by skilled members of the
club. This has proven to be a real hit with the
Scouts!
For many of these boys, it is their first
opportunity to fly a radio-controlled aircraft,
and it’s a joy to watch their faces light up as
they put their classroom theories to the test,
along with their hand-eye coordination skills!
And trust me—these kids in the age of
Nintendo and Game Boy far exceed my skills
at their age!
The PWCRCF is an RC aircraft club,
however, several of its members are avid
model-rocketry enthusiasts. As a result of the
success experienced with the Aviation Merit
Badge Clinics, the Scouts have expressed a
strong interest in pursuing a similar program
for the Space Exploration Merit Badge—once
again, a mutually beneficial arrangement!
While the agreement between the
PWCRCF and the Scouts is informal—a
“gentlemen’s agreement,” it is clear that the
Scouts have PWCRCF in their long-term
plans. A major development effort is under
way at Camp William B. Snyder and one of
the first considerations was the best location
of the PWCRCF flying site.
Since the Scouts plan to use Camp
William B. Snyder as a centralized merit
badge facility, and the Aviation Merit Badge
Clinic has served as a “pilot” for such
activities, the Scouts are looking forward to
maintaining this mutually beneficial
relationship!
Fred Gay is teaching the Scouts.
Marsh Dehart and Nic Burhans are with
class.
Charlie Koustenis explains aeronautics.
After class the Scouts enjoyed hands-on
flying and demonstrations.
Marsh is teaching the class that covered
helicopters.
American Airline Captain Joe Gladden
spoke to the Scouts about careers.
Joel Marley has been appointed North
Carolina director for the southeastern region
of the International Miniature Aerobatic Club
(IMAC). Congratulations, Joel.
Take a kid flying.
Delaware / District of
Columbia / Maryland /North
Carolina / Virginia
Bliss Teague
Vice President
625 5th Ave., SW, Hickory
NC 28602-2812
Home: (828) 324-2164
Fax: (828) 267-0956
E-mail: [email protected]
District IV Report
For a listing of District IV officers, please see a
previous issue of MA or consult the District IV Web
page at http://www.amadistrictiv.org/
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 175