176 MODEL AVIATION
MY USUAL E-mail and telephone contacts
involve modelers who have just lost or who
are in the process of losing their flying sites.
On occasion, I receive the good news that
our work has paid off, and a field has been
saved.
Last month I received a rare but
gratifying letter from a modeler whose
flying site worries might be over. Andy
Wilson wrote from Rio Rancho, New
Mexico, describing the Rio Rancho Radio
Control Club’s (RRRCC) efforts to keep
flying.
As with many of the clubs chartered with
the AMA, RRRCC has been plagued by
urban sprawl. Today’s rural flying site is in
the suburbs within a few years then becomes
urban as peripheral growth continues.
Located in the high desert near
Albuquerque, Rio Rancho is experiencing
typical urban growth. The RRRCC fliers
have come to regard their too-frequent
relocations as “moving from sandbox to
sandbox.” The club’s most recent relocation
occurred in 2006, when it was forced to
vacate property used as overflow parking for
the annual Albuquerque Balloon Festival.
Fortunately, a club member who is also a
real estate developer/builder had a piece of
property he was willing to let the club use.
Garry Wallen not only let the club use the
property, but he also installed a paved
runway and parking facilities!
It was tremendous good fortune for the
club members, but it gets better! At the
club’s annual holiday party held at Garry’s
home, he presented the club officers with
papers transferring complete ownership of
the facility to the club!
Garry joins a select group of dedicated
fliers, including Richard and Debbie Harding
of Olathe, Colorado, who have donated land
for a flying site to their respective clubs.
I’ve received several calls regarding the
issues surrounding model aviation on a fullscale
airport. The practice is quite common
around the country.
I provide two documents to members
who ask these questions. The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory
Circular (AC 91-57) discusses practical steps
to be taken by a club wishing to fly at or near
a full-scale airport. The other document is a
list of flying sites on or near full-scale
airports taken from the Aircraft Owners and
Pilots Association (AOPA) Directory of
Airports.
I’ve included a copy of the FAA
document in this article. The AOPA list is
too long for this column, but I will E-mail it
to any interested modeler.
Flying Site Assistance
Wes De Cou | [email protected]
The RRRCC fliers have come to regard their too-frequent relocations
as “moving from sandbox to sandbox.”
Wes De Cou
Coordinator
Western Region
Districts VIII - XI
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.,
Phoenix AZ 85045
Voice: (480) 460-9466;
Cell: (480) 296-9515
Fax: (480) 460-9434
E-mail: [email protected]
Joe Beshar
Coordinator
Eastern Region
Districts I - VII
198 Merritt Dr., Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281;
Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—
Maintaining
AC 91-57
Date June 9, 1981
ADVISORY CIRCULAR
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, D.C.
Subject: Model Aircraft Operating Standards
1. Purpose. This advisory circular outlines, and encourages voluntary compliance with,
safety standards for model aircraft operators.
2. Background. Modelers, generally, are concerned about safety and do exercise good
judgement when flying model aircraft. However, model aircraft can at times pose a
hazard to full-scale aircraft in flight and to persons and property on the surface.
Compliance with the following standards will help reduce the potential for that hazard
and create a good neighbor environment with affected communities and airspace
users.
3. Operating Standards.
a. Select an operating site that is of sufficient distance from populated areas. The
selected site should be away from noise sensitive areas such as parks, schools,
hospitals, churches, etc.
b. Do not operate model aircraft in the presence of spectators until the aircraft is
successfully flight tested and proven airworthy.
c. Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface. When flying
aircraft within 3 miles of an airport, notify the airport operator, or when an air
traffic facility is located at the airport, notify the control tower, or flight service
station.
d. Give right of way to, and avoid flying in the proximity of, full-scale aircraft. Use
observers to help if possible.
e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from any airport traffic control tower or flight
service station concerning compliance with these standards.
R.J. VAN VUREN
Director, Air Traffic Service
Initiated by: AAT-220
Garry Wallen, benefactor to the RRRCC, assists local
Cub Scouts at a club-sponsored youth event.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/07
Page Numbers: 176