ON SATURDAY November 22, 2008, the
Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers (WRAF) in
Washington “officially” moved to our new
field, with a ceremonial flight from the old site
to the new one. Several club members who
compete in contests or visit other sites have
remarked that they have never seen or heard of
any modern club’s flying facility that is as nice
as ours
July 2009 21
Photos by the author
A public-address system is available for event directors and announcers to oversee from
the deck. Both the soft grass and paved strips are used for model airplane operation.
From the paved parking area, the clubhouse entrance is at the center. On the
right are the outside stairs that lead to a field observation deck.
many environmental requirements to satisfy
and must maintain a good image for its
neighbors.
WM met with WRAF officers to
determine what kind of new flying site it
would take to exchange for ours. The
company’s offer was to fully develop a
turnkey site of our choosing that would meet
our specifications.
Several sites were investigated. The one
we chose was 24 acres, was close to our
existing field, and WM owned it. Months of
all club members’ input produced a long list
of requirements and desires, most of which
have been incorporated into the new field.
For approximately seven years, a WM
representative has been at every monthly club
meeting to discuss the progress and to ensure
that our requirements are met. The new site
makes one marvel at the club’s vision and
WM’s desire to keep people happy.
Only the attorneys fully understand the
legal features of our contract with the
company, but it is a terrific deal for us. It has
to do with WM’s need to periodically
monitor test wells on our property.
Therefore, at least on paper, it retains
ownership and we have a 99-year lease that
costs the club merely $1 per year.
WM pays property taxes and irrigation
water, and it empties our dumpster. Our only
cost is power and potable water. If the WRAF
ever disbands, the company will pay us the
current property value. If WM needs the site
in the future, it will develop us another one.
Our new flying field has a blacktop entry
road and parking lot; gravel overflow parking
lot; keypad-entry security gate; fully chainlink-
fenced perimeter; large equipment
storage shed; large clubhouse, complete with
kitchen, meeting room, mechanical room, and
storage room; men’s and women’s restrooms
and shower rooms, all of which are airconditioned.
There is a large tent-camping area and
24 power and water RV sites. One of these
sites has a sewer hookup that was
designated for the full-time, on-site
caretaker.
A wide shade porch is on the field side
and both ends. There is a roof-level
observation deck at one end, for event
directors to use to oversee the activities.
Pilots face north while flying from a 600 x
35-foot asphalt runway or the adjacent 700
x 50-foot grass runway. There is a separate
35-square-foot asphalt Pylon Racing
launch pad.
Each of the 10 worktables is 4-foot-square
concrete with wheel stops and tail-wheel
extensions. All 10 have tables have 120-volt
AC power outlets; six also have 12-volt DC
power outlets.
Every spring, the WRAF holds the Apple
Blossom Fly-In, which is well attended. In
June 2008, we hosted the Northwest Scale
Masters Qualifier and the national Scale
Masters Championships will be held at our
site in September.
I acknowledge Doug Stuart and Don
Snyder for their helpful input in bringing this
article to the point at which I submitted it.
If you would like to know more about our
club, find the field, or see more pictures of the
site, or go to our Web page. MA
Duane Kaasa
[email protected]
Sources:
WRAF
www.redappleflyers.org
The Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers field is
located in the Apple Capital of the World,
in Washington state. The small pad in the
field is the Pylon aircraft launch area.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:46 PM Page 21
22 MODEL AVIATION
A look west southwest down the runway. The sun isn’t in the
pilots’ view for most of a clear day.
Right: Doug Stewart preps his 28-year-old Cub for the memorial
flight from the old field. From a pickup truck, the model was flown
over to the new site within the valley.
Above: It needs some decoration, but the wide-open indoor
spaces are just as friendly as those outdoors.
Right: A full kitchen is kept stocked for regular meetings as well
as national events held at the WRAF field.
Looking west northwest from the CD deck, the concrete work stations
have sturdy tables anchored in place. The box next to each includes
power receptacles.
Looking northeast, the valley is ideal for flying any type
of model aircraft. Spectators have a marvelous view.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:22 PM Page 22
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 20,21,22
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 20,21,22
ON SATURDAY November 22, 2008, the
Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers (WRAF) in
Washington “officially” moved to our new
field, with a ceremonial flight from the old site
to the new one. Several club members who
compete in contests or visit other sites have
remarked that they have never seen or heard of
any modern club’s flying facility that is as nice
as ours
July 2009 21
Photos by the author
A public-address system is available for event directors and announcers to oversee from
the deck. Both the soft grass and paved strips are used for model airplane operation.
From the paved parking area, the clubhouse entrance is at the center. On the
right are the outside stairs that lead to a field observation deck.
many environmental requirements to satisfy
and must maintain a good image for its
neighbors.
WM met with WRAF officers to
determine what kind of new flying site it
would take to exchange for ours. The
company’s offer was to fully develop a
turnkey site of our choosing that would meet
our specifications.
Several sites were investigated. The one
we chose was 24 acres, was close to our
existing field, and WM owned it. Months of
all club members’ input produced a long list
of requirements and desires, most of which
have been incorporated into the new field.
For approximately seven years, a WM
representative has been at every monthly club
meeting to discuss the progress and to ensure
that our requirements are met. The new site
makes one marvel at the club’s vision and
WM’s desire to keep people happy.
Only the attorneys fully understand the
legal features of our contract with the
company, but it is a terrific deal for us. It has
to do with WM’s need to periodically
monitor test wells on our property.
Therefore, at least on paper, it retains
ownership and we have a 99-year lease that
costs the club merely $1 per year.
WM pays property taxes and irrigation
water, and it empties our dumpster. Our only
cost is power and potable water. If the WRAF
ever disbands, the company will pay us the
current property value. If WM needs the site
in the future, it will develop us another one.
Our new flying field has a blacktop entry
road and parking lot; gravel overflow parking
lot; keypad-entry security gate; fully chainlink-
fenced perimeter; large equipment
storage shed; large clubhouse, complete with
kitchen, meeting room, mechanical room, and
storage room; men’s and women’s restrooms
and shower rooms, all of which are airconditioned.
There is a large tent-camping area and
24 power and water RV sites. One of these
sites has a sewer hookup that was
designated for the full-time, on-site
caretaker.
A wide shade porch is on the field side
and both ends. There is a roof-level
observation deck at one end, for event
directors to use to oversee the activities.
Pilots face north while flying from a 600 x
35-foot asphalt runway or the adjacent 700
x 50-foot grass runway. There is a separate
35-square-foot asphalt Pylon Racing
launch pad.
Each of the 10 worktables is 4-foot-square
concrete with wheel stops and tail-wheel
extensions. All 10 have tables have 120-volt
AC power outlets; six also have 12-volt DC
power outlets.
Every spring, the WRAF holds the Apple
Blossom Fly-In, which is well attended. In
June 2008, we hosted the Northwest Scale
Masters Qualifier and the national Scale
Masters Championships will be held at our
site in September.
I acknowledge Doug Stuart and Don
Snyder for their helpful input in bringing this
article to the point at which I submitted it.
If you would like to know more about our
club, find the field, or see more pictures of the
site, or go to our Web page. MA
Duane Kaasa
[email protected]
Sources:
WRAF
www.redappleflyers.org
The Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers field is
located in the Apple Capital of the World,
in Washington state. The small pad in the
field is the Pylon aircraft launch area.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:46 PM Page 21
22 MODEL AVIATION
A look west southwest down the runway. The sun isn’t in the
pilots’ view for most of a clear day.
Right: Doug Stewart preps his 28-year-old Cub for the memorial
flight from the old field. From a pickup truck, the model was flown
over to the new site within the valley.
Above: It needs some decoration, but the wide-open indoor
spaces are just as friendly as those outdoors.
Right: A full kitchen is kept stocked for regular meetings as well
as national events held at the WRAF field.
Looking west northwest from the CD deck, the concrete work stations
have sturdy tables anchored in place. The box next to each includes
power receptacles.
Looking northeast, the valley is ideal for flying any type
of model aircraft. Spectators have a marvelous view.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:22 PM Page 22
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 20,21,22
ON SATURDAY November 22, 2008, the
Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers (WRAF) in
Washington “officially” moved to our new
field, with a ceremonial flight from the old site
to the new one. Several club members who
compete in contests or visit other sites have
remarked that they have never seen or heard of
any modern club’s flying facility that is as nice
as ours
July 2009 21
Photos by the author
A public-address system is available for event directors and announcers to oversee from
the deck. Both the soft grass and paved strips are used for model airplane operation.
From the paved parking area, the clubhouse entrance is at the center. On the
right are the outside stairs that lead to a field observation deck.
many environmental requirements to satisfy
and must maintain a good image for its
neighbors.
WM met with WRAF officers to
determine what kind of new flying site it
would take to exchange for ours. The
company’s offer was to fully develop a
turnkey site of our choosing that would meet
our specifications.
Several sites were investigated. The one
we chose was 24 acres, was close to our
existing field, and WM owned it. Months of
all club members’ input produced a long list
of requirements and desires, most of which
have been incorporated into the new field.
For approximately seven years, a WM
representative has been at every monthly club
meeting to discuss the progress and to ensure
that our requirements are met. The new site
makes one marvel at the club’s vision and
WM’s desire to keep people happy.
Only the attorneys fully understand the
legal features of our contract with the
company, but it is a terrific deal for us. It has
to do with WM’s need to periodically
monitor test wells on our property.
Therefore, at least on paper, it retains
ownership and we have a 99-year lease that
costs the club merely $1 per year.
WM pays property taxes and irrigation
water, and it empties our dumpster. Our only
cost is power and potable water. If the WRAF
ever disbands, the company will pay us the
current property value. If WM needs the site
in the future, it will develop us another one.
Our new flying field has a blacktop entry
road and parking lot; gravel overflow parking
lot; keypad-entry security gate; fully chainlink-
fenced perimeter; large equipment
storage shed; large clubhouse, complete with
kitchen, meeting room, mechanical room, and
storage room; men’s and women’s restrooms
and shower rooms, all of which are airconditioned.
There is a large tent-camping area and
24 power and water RV sites. One of these
sites has a sewer hookup that was
designated for the full-time, on-site
caretaker.
A wide shade porch is on the field side
and both ends. There is a roof-level
observation deck at one end, for event
directors to use to oversee the activities.
Pilots face north while flying from a 600 x
35-foot asphalt runway or the adjacent 700
x 50-foot grass runway. There is a separate
35-square-foot asphalt Pylon Racing
launch pad.
Each of the 10 worktables is 4-foot-square
concrete with wheel stops and tail-wheel
extensions. All 10 have tables have 120-volt
AC power outlets; six also have 12-volt DC
power outlets.
Every spring, the WRAF holds the Apple
Blossom Fly-In, which is well attended. In
June 2008, we hosted the Northwest Scale
Masters Qualifier and the national Scale
Masters Championships will be held at our
site in September.
I acknowledge Doug Stuart and Don
Snyder for their helpful input in bringing this
article to the point at which I submitted it.
If you would like to know more about our
club, find the field, or see more pictures of the
site, or go to our Web page. MA
Duane Kaasa
[email protected]
Sources:
WRAF
www.redappleflyers.org
The Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers field is
located in the Apple Capital of the World,
in Washington state. The small pad in the
field is the Pylon aircraft launch area.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:46 PM Page 21
22 MODEL AVIATION
A look west southwest down the runway. The sun isn’t in the
pilots’ view for most of a clear day.
Right: Doug Stewart preps his 28-year-old Cub for the memorial
flight from the old field. From a pickup truck, the model was flown
over to the new site within the valley.
Above: It needs some decoration, but the wide-open indoor
spaces are just as friendly as those outdoors.
Right: A full kitchen is kept stocked for regular meetings as well
as national events held at the WRAF field.
Looking west northwest from the CD deck, the concrete work stations
have sturdy tables anchored in place. The box next to each includes
power receptacles.
Looking northeast, the valley is ideal for flying any type
of model aircraft. Spectators have a marvelous view.
07sig1.QXD 5/22/09 12:22 PM Page 22