200 MODEL AVIATION
he Rockwall RC Sport Flyers in
Texas was founded by a group of 12
modelers nearly 20 years ago when a
front yard served as the club’s first flying
field. The members eventually migrated to a
larger field but encountered a few problems,
which included cows eating the grass on the
runway and pit area and a neighbor whose
favorite sport seemed to be shooting at their
airplanes. After long negotiations with the
city of Rockwall, the club leased a site
located on the city’s landfill.
During its first 10 years, the club had
roughly two dozen members, increasing to 30
in the next few years. It elected officers,
charged dues, wrote bylaws and safety rules,
created a Web site, and put much effort into
improving the flying field.
Two issues were a constant problem: the
weather and the 80/20 rule. Without
sufficient rain, the grass wilts and wide
cracks open in the land. Without diligent
maintenance, it doesn’t take long for the field
to become a dusty, bumpy dirt field.
In this largely informal organization,
20% of the members regularly performed
80% of the field-maintenance chores.
Eventually, those doing all the work grew
weary of watching other members who
just paid their dues and flew their
airplanes. Gradually maintenance that was
once routine became less so.
View from HQ
Acting Executive Director Joyce Hager
Rockwall RC Sport Flyers—
a club in transition
T
In 2003 a program to again level the area
and lay an asphalt-based, flexible Petromat
runway was formulated but had to be
approved by the city of Rockwall. Because
the field sits on a landfill, the city had
environmental concerns and placed strict
limits on field improvements.
In the summer of 2005, the city approved
the plan and the club was able to make
significant field renovations. The members
reconfigured the field layout, readied the land,
and purchased and installed the 30- x 350-
foot Petromat runway. They erected safety
fencing and pilot stations and renovated the
driveway and parking areas.
Membership increased that year to 70 and
the members found out that transitioning from
a small club to a larger club brings its own set
of complications. A larger club requires more
organization. Informal and “understood” rules
had to be formalized and transformed into
written rules.
Stricter control mechanisms were
required. This was especially true with
frequency control. To ensure that safety rules
were clearly visible, improved safety signs
were required at the flying field. The flyingproficiency
committee established guidelines
and standards for instructor pilots who were
training novice pilots.
The increase in attendance at monthly
meetings required a formal meeting agenda to
conduct business in an orderly fashion.
Additional dues revenue required more
detailed accounting.
Member identification is necessary in
larger clubs, so the Rockwall Sport Flyers
began to issue photo ID cards. In addition to
the individual’s name, the card shows if he or
she is an instructor, a qualified pilot, or
student pilot.
In a larger club, good communication is
essential. Several members created a club
Web site and set up a broadcast system to
send E-mail to members. The club’s
newsletter is posted online.
Paul Ramirez, who sent me this
information about the Rockwall club, wrote:
“In two decades, our club’s membership
has grown five fold, but we are not finished
yet. We may be experiencing growing pains,
but we have aspirations for the future. We
want to establish an important presence in,
and become a valued asset of, our local
community.
“The Rockwall RC Sport Flyers is a very
special club. It’s a special club because our
members make it special. They are the most
personable and friendly group of individuals
that you could ever hope to meet.”
You can learn more about the club’s
activities by visiting its Web site at
www.rockwallrc.com. MA
This portion of the work crew is taking a water break during one
of many days of the renovation project. Coordinated teamwork is required to lay the Petromat.
Safe flying.
Joyce Hager
Acting Executive Director
[email protected]
07sig6.QXD 5/25/06 1:47 PM Page 200
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 200