Great relationships build even better flying sites
A few years ago, AMA conducted its most comprehensive member survey ever. More than 8,100 responses were tabulated. Members were asked to rate the importance of AMA benefits and issues facing aeromodelers. Unquestionably, the number one issue cited by members was “the availability of suitable flying fields.”
Clearly, finding and keeping a place to fly is our greatest challenge, followed by protecting those privileges from undue government restrictions. Without flying sites, model aviation as we know it would not exist. Sites are where members gather to enjoy flight and spend time with flying buddies. That is what it is all about!
Role of Flying Site Assistance
My job as AMA’s Flying Site Assistance Coordinator is to help clubs deal with flying site loss, new site acquisition, and site support. Whenever there is a significant government issue, I rely on the expertise of our Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs representative, Rich Hanson.
We are here to help clubs with a full spectrum of issues, ranging from flying site acquisition, design, construction, community and government relations, and a host of technical issues. For community relations issues, I look for help from AMA’s Chris Brooks, PR/Development Director, and Ilona Maine, Safety and Programs Director. We are here to assist you.
Resources
There is a section on the AMA website that deals with flying site assistance. There you will find help in the form of documents, videos, and success stories to assist you in obtaining a new flying site, or inform you of ways you can protect the flying site you currently enjoy.
Community-relations planning
The biggest challenge—and one with the most potential to address the primary concern in the aforementioned survey—is for clubs to really formalize a community-relations plan. It has to be an ongoing effort. A club’s relationship with its neighbors and surrounding community requires constant care and attention.
How do you create such a plan? Begin by objectively assessing the depth and breadth of your current community relationships. Identify and prioritize who your most important public contacts might be.
Don’t ever assume that what may appear to be all cozy today will be so tomorrow. Neighbors move, city officials are replaced, park departments change budget priorities, new ordinances advance with encroaching suburbia, and other changes can occur.
Your club officers—indeed, all club members—need to be vigilant for signs of any change in the landscape, whether it is physical or political. At least one officer should be a point person for community relations.
Signs to watch for:
- Neighborhood demographic changes (new residents or businesses)
- Changes in local government or key staff in parks and recreation
- Proposed ordinances or zoning updates
- New development encroaching on your site
- Shifts in park budgets or priorities
Work with community groups
I can’t say enough about the value of working with your community’s children or seniors. When you stand before city officials—and you probably will at some point—having a history of community service and partnerships with schools, retirement homes, and other civic groups will bring you much credibility.
Keeping your flying site secret—unheard and unseen—may sound ideal at first, but consider the consequences of that when it comes time to prove your value to your community.
Success stories and effort required
The flying site success stories, featured in this month’s first article, will illustrate many of these strategies and tactics. They are meant to inform and inspire you and your club to find and keep a flying site that you can enjoy for many years.
You will read about how working positively and proactively with city officials, schools, neighbors, and others before you need crisis assistance is always a good idea. Throughout these stories, you will find another common thread: work! It takes hard work by people who have a vision and are willing to put out the effort to acquire a new site as well as maintain possession of your current one.
Need help?
Please don’t hesitate to contact any of us for help with flying-site issues. It doesn’t take a survey to know what needs to be done or whom to call. We’re here for you whenever we’re needed.
- Tony Stillman — Flying Site Assistance Coordinator
- Rich Hanson — Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs Representative
- Chris Brooks — PR/Development Director
- Ilona Maine — Safety and Programs Director
— Tony Stillman Flying Site Assistance Coordinator
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
