www.ModelAviation.com July 2013 Model Aviation 135
make
experience is
you
daily
participating
and
season,
AMA
of
oriented,
funflys,
each
sure
you
thankyou.
those
time
fun.
will
that
As reported last
month in Bob
Brown’s and Dave
Mathewson’s
columns, AMA
will be celebrating
National Model
Aviation Day on
August 17, which
will be roughly 11/2 months away when
you read this.
I encourage our clubs to plan a
flying event that day and to invite their
communities to participate. Consider
having a benefit fun-fly with the
proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior
Project. This charity uses its funds to
support the rehabilitation of our injured
military personnel, and you couldn’t
find a more worthy cause. If you haven’t
planned an event for National Model
Aviation Day, please consider doing so.
I have been involved in my club’s
discussion on the possibility of installing
a geotextile material on a portion of
our 1,050-foot runway. Although we
have a good flying site, smaller, electricpowered
models and EDF aircraft either
can’t take off from a grass strip or their
landing gear or vertical stabilizers are
damaged when they get caught in the
grass and flip over. Smaller electrics offer
a less-expensive entry point for people
new to our hobby.
We wanted to take a look at a club’s
flying site that uses this type of material
for its runway. I had the opportunity to
meet with members of the Mentor Area
Radio Control Society (MARCS) and
they had exactly what we wanted to see.
I made arrangements with Dale Ties,
MARCS vice president. Clark Follett,
Brad Davis, Jim Goodemote, and I
made the trip to Geneva, Ohio, where
we also met with Dave Tomaric and
Barry Bertagnolli. We learned about the
club’s field and I asked Dale to send me
information about how the members
put the field together. Dale sent the
following:
“As has happened to a number of
flying clubs, there comes a time to look
into a new flying site. The MARCS had
to do just that in 2009, as a new flying
site was needed. After looking long
and hard, we heard about a possible
site in Geneva, Ohio. After negotiating
a lease with the ORCO Sportsman’s
Association, on July 1, 2010, we had a
new flying site and a lot of work ahead
of us.
“During a club meeting, a club
member suggested looking into
geotextile material as part of our
runway. After looking into US Fabrics
material and [its] flying site usage, I
recommended it to the club. With a
vote by the membership, we purchased
four rolls, each 15 x 300 feet long.
“After the contractor finished his
work moving dirt—leveling the field
and pit area—it was time to roll out our
runway. In a matter of days we had the
material rolled out, and temporarily
stapled to stretch it out.
After a few days in the sun the
Geotex tightened up like MonoKote
does, allowing us to permanently staple
it in place. Each 6-inch staple needed
to be placed 1 foot apart and no more
than 1 inch in from the edge. A tool
was made to make this task easier but
nothing could change the time it took to
place nearly 1,000 staples.
“Before the 2010 season ended, we
had built an outstanding field. [We]
purchased a new storage shed, pit area,
fencing, shelter, and four flight stations.
On June 5, 2011, we dedicated our
field.
“In every club you have members
[who] rise above others. We had such
a member in Ken Page. Ken always
had time to help, and mentor others.
Upon his passing, Ken willed a generous
amount of money to our club. Without
our club’s New Field Fund and the
donation from Ken Page, a lot of what
we accomplished would not have been
possible in such a short period of time.
“Thanks to Ken, his family, friends,
and club members for making our flying
site possible. Our field will be known
as the Ken Page Memorial Field and we
now hold our Memorial Fun-Fly there
each June.
“For more photos and information
about our field or the Mentor Area
Radio Control Society, go to www.
mentorrc.com.”
I flew at the MARCS field and when
we left, we were convinced that the
Geotextile material would work at our
field. My thanks to Dale and his club
members for their time and information.
This is a less expensive way to provide a
paved runway at a fraction of the cost,
and is gaining momentum across the
country.
Aerial view of the MARCS field.
Dave Tomaric, Clark Follett, Dale Teis, Barry
Bertagnolli, and Brad Davis discuss the Geotex.
Ken Page’s memorial stone.
It seems that every month I report on
the passing of an AMA member. This
month I say goodbye to Doug Severson
who passed away in March. He was a
good builder who loved Scale World
War I aircraft and more. Doug’s family
and his club, the Sky Rovers R/C Flying
Club, of Phelps, New York, will sorely
miss his presence, and so will I.
Until next month, help secure our future
and take a youngster flying.
From the Copilot’s Seat by Gary Fitch, Executive Vice President
A geotextile runway:
hard work but good results
[email protected]
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13july.indd 135 5/21/2013 12:37:57 PM
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/07
Page Numbers: 135
