AMA News: District I—2012/11
Airport inquiry and AMA support
The Bristol County Radio Control Club (BCRCC) event coordinator, Ted Brito, contacted me regarding his club’s participation in the New Bedford Regional Airport’s Aviation Fun Day, scheduled for May 18, 2012.
Ted told me that airport officials weren’t sure if the FAA would allow the club to do RC flight demonstrations during the show. I wrote Ted a letter he could present to the airport manager explaining that a number of AMA clubs participate in air show flying demonstrations at New England airports each year. These clubs not only demonstrate RC flying, but often conduct RC events without shutting down full-scale flying operations.
Club officers work with airport authorities, monitor pilot radio frequencies, and require RC pilots to immediately land and remove their model aircraft from active runways and/or airspace when full-scale aircraft are getting ready to land or take off. The events are sanctioned by the AMA and each RC pilot is required to be an AMA member and have AMA liability insurance coverage. The clubs also acquire additional AMA primary liability coverage for the airport during event dates.
Event restrictions and participation
Final decisions lie with airport management. For this show they allowed the club to only do a static display. I give the club credit for still participating and doing so in a commendable way.
The display
The club set up a terrific display in the courtyard area in front of the terminal building. The RC aircraft included:
- scale warbirds
- aerobatic aircraft
- sport airplanes
- helicopters
Each model had a placard describing the model and its features. Club members did a great job manning the area, answering attendees’ questions about all aspects of aeromodeling, and providing handouts for club and AMA membership.
Club member Fred Tuxworth, who at 97 years young was a World War II Navy pilot, answered questions on how the full-scale warbirds flew, their special features, and their history.
The superb weather and additional exhibits — including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules four-engine turboprop military transport and the Grumman TBM-3 Avenger — helped boost attendance to more than 9,000 people for the airport’s biggest event.
Outcome
The best news was a change in attitude of airport management after recognizing the Bristol RC club’s superb effort and exhibit. The managers invited the club back for 2013, with a good chance of allowing RC demonstration flying. Persistence, good planning, and participation on the club’s part paid off.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
