AMA News 2010/07

July 2010 151
THE FALLBROOK RC Flyers and
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians developed
a world-class flying site. Here is a synopsis
of an e-mail I received in October of last
year from a club member, John DePierro,
who lives near Fallbrook in southern
California.
“I spoke with you about one year ago
regarding assistance in obtaining a new
flying field location. At that time you sent
me a batch of information that could be of
use. That has been very helpful. In the
meantime, I have spent many hours
searching for a possible new location for
the Fallbrook RC Flyers.
“Next week (late October, 2009), I have
an audience with the Rincon Band of
Indians, here in southern California. They
own the Harrah’s Casino and Resort, which
is about 25 miles from Fallbrook.
“They may be interested in sponsoring a
flying field or allowing us to use a site
within their reservation. Their thought may
be in regards to organizing regional RC
events, which would bring business to their
resort area.
“I recently read in the AMA magazine
[MA] about a fantastic flying field that was
constructed. It sported a beautiful
clubhouse and field layout. Can you let me
know which issue that was in so I may use
it for a presentation? If you have any
advice or literature that you could send
before 10/21, it would be appreciated.
“We also may have another opportunity
with San Diego Gas & Electric Co. They
may have open space that may work for us.
Do you know of any clubs that have any
experience with utility companies? If so,
they may have information or advice
regarding their association with the utility.
“I realize this is late to contact you, but
if you have any time to speak with me, I
can phone you anytime Tuesday to talk.
Please let me know if you have any
advice.”
During our initial conversation in 2008,
John described the Fallbrook RC Flyers as
a club, which for the past 40 years has had
a field on the south side of Highway 76 in
Bonsall, California. Since a new four-lane
highway is scheduled to bisect the existing
runway, a field search was initiated in an
effort to keep the decades-old club
together.
I sent John some relevant flying site
acquisition materials and he did the
requisite legwork and telephone work
trying to arrange various meetings with
prospective site owners.
Although the San Diego Gas & Electric
site didn’t work out, John kept up his
dialogue with the Rincon Band
administration. As you can see, he was
successful in arranging a meeting. It was
almost a year to the day from the first email
exchange on the subject!
The message thus far—stay focused and
keep knocking on doors.
During his discussions with the band,
John described what a well-designed RC
field ought to look like, and described the
educational and recreational benefits of the
sport.
Eleven months after the initial Rincon
contact, we have a significant story to tell.
Following are John’s comments.
“After a year of searching, club
members made contact with the Rincon
Band of Luiseño Indians, located in Valley
Center, California. The Rincon people
graciously offered to construct a new field
as the beginning of a newly established
Parks & Recreation Program.
“This newly constructed field is one of
very few AMA chartered club RC airfields
constructed on Native American land. To
say the least, it is a wonderful new
opportunity for all involved.
“The club will be hosting a display
booth at an upcoming Earth Day Event, to
attract new members and to kick off a
flight-training program for the kids and
adults.
“The official opening-day event at the
new field will include a barbecue,
refreshments, a fun-fly, and air show. The
date will be set in the near future.
“The Fallbrook RC Flyers would like to
extend our special thanks to the Tribal
Council Chairman, Mr. Bo Mazzetti;
Recreation Department Administrator, Mr.
Tuuket Saas; the Rincon Council members;
and Dick Watenpaugh, Tribal
Administrator. All these people deserve
appreciation for their efforts in helping to
expand the RC family sport and allow us
the use of their precious resources.
AMA News
Announcements, news, and information from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
Flying Site Assistance Wes De Cou | [email protected]
Tony Stillman
Flying Site Assistance
Coordinator
102 Cherrywood Ct.
Brunswick GA 31525
(912) 242-2407
[email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
The message thus far—stay focused
and keep knocking on doors.
The new field is a crisscross design,
allowing landing at different angles
depending on the current wind conditions.
Continued on page 152
Eleven months after the
initial Rincon contact,
we have a significant
story to tell.
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“Our thanks also go out to the Operating
Engineers Training Trust of Southern
California. The operating engineers trust is
a nonprofit union organization created to
train heavy equipment operators, and is
responsible for moving about 3,000 yards
of dirt under the capable instruction of
Melvin A. Chamberlain.
“The new field is a crisscross design,
allowing landing at different angles
depending on the current wind conditions.
The runway has been covered with DG
(decomposed granite) and compacted to a
smooth pavement-like finish.
“The club has been at the new location
for only two weeks, and there is still plenty
of work to be done in preparation for the
official opening day. Check out the club’s
Web site [www.fallbrookrc
flyers.com] for aerial photos and videos of
the new Rincon RC Airfield and the new
home of the Fallbrook RC Flyers.
“Shade structures and other
improvements to the site are on the drawing
board.”
The Rincon Band has its own vision for
the flying site. Through cooperation with
the Fallbrook RC Flyers, they would
welcome AMA sanctioned RC events on
the site.
In support of that vision, the Rincon
Band is considering an RV park, horseback
riding trails, and other family recreational
sports near the field.
If John can provide the Academy with
pictures of the completed complex, perhaps
those of you with potential access to tribal
lands can use his success story as a
stepping stone to your own.
The Fallbrook RC Flyers officers
include John A. Aslanian, president; John
DePierro, vice president; Mick Atkinson,
secretary/treasurer.
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