District XI - 2006/12

186 MODEL AVIATION
Public relations and your flying field: is it
really an issue?
Many of you may be tired of hearing
me say that there are two kinds of clubs—
those that have lost a flying field and those
that are going to lose a flying field. Well, it
is all too true and the loss of a field can be
the demise of a club. I was in that position
with our club many years ago and I have
seen it all too often.
I think one of the best investments a
club can make in its future is one of good
public and community relations. I know of
a club that was at risk of losing its field
because of a safety issue. The members’
history of working with and supporting
their community was what saved field. It
earned them a second chance.
There have been several other examples
of this in our district in the past few years.
I know of a club that lost its field but was
offered a replacement site based solely on
the members’ community involvement.
Clubs can donate manpower to
community projects, get involved in an
adopt-a-school project, or host an open
house inviting the community to learn
about the hobby while being entertained.
This, of course, is the easiest thing to do
since we all like to show off our models
and skills, but there are other ways to
promote you club.
I recently went to the area around
Kalispell and Whitefish, Montana, for the
Glacier RCers’ annual open house. The
number of people who came out for this
two day event was considerable, which is
not surprising. The club has hosted this
event for several years.
The crowd was entertained by all
manner of aircraft from CL models to jets.
I hope to have some pictures of this event
in the near future, but this is just one way
to help ensure that your favorite pastime
will endure.
It is a lot easier to keep a site than it is to
find one.
Happy trails … contrails that is.
Bruce Nelson
Vice President
807 E. Vicksburg St.,
Spokane WA 99208
Tel./Fax: (509) 467-1852
Cell: (509) 863-7096
www.yosamiteflash.com/
xiama.htm
Associate Vice
Presidents
Rick Allison, Issaquah WA;
[email protected]
Darrell Anderson, Great Falls
MT; [email protected]
Al Culver, Wilder ID;
[email protected]
Jerry Holcomb, Vancouver WA;
[email protected]
Reeves Lippincott, Wasilla AK;
[email protected]
Gene LaFond, Wenatchee WA;
[email protected]
Mike Mosbrooker, Oak Harbor
WA; [email protected]
Claude Tanner, Boise ID;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator
Phil Tallman, Medical Lake WA;
(509) 299-5102
District RC Coordinator
W.T. (Bill) Smith, Seattle WA;
[email protected]
District XI Volunteers
District XI
Bruce Nelson, District XI Vice President; [email protected]
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
and the adjacent seaplane lagoon. The city
and property management staff had no
concept of our operation and with the
inclusion of our memo of understanding
with the EPA and our dedication to the
community we were able to sell ourselves
as the proper group to be acquiring and
using these areas.
“As many different private enterprises
continue to lease pieces of this unused
1,500 acres, our new club and our AMA
organization is the only entity that has
been able to say that the EPA’s concerns
have been addressed.
“While many organizations have tried
to access the use of these lands before us,
AMA’s partnership with the EPA has
allowed us to get a foothold in providing a
crown jewel of a flying facility and a
center of youth activity for the growing
community of Alameda on land that would
otherwise be unsuitable for any future
development.”
The newly organized Wawayanda Flying
Club will allow turbine-powered model
flying! I attended the Wawayanda Flying
Club summer picnic held at the club’s
flying site located in New Hampton, New
York. In the past, this flying site had been
used by the inactivated Goshen Gremlin
Club.
Property owners Dick and Ed Gantz,
both ardent modeling supporters,
organized the Wawayanda Flying Club
presided by Karl Jacobs. Karl took the
gavel and practiced his initiatives with
dedication, resulting in a club that is well
organized and rapidly growing.
A few turbine fliers were invited to
attend the picnic and demonstrate turbine
flying for the members. By majority vote,
the club has decided to allow members to
fly turbines the club field.
In preparation for the demonstration, I
couldn’t help but notice Ed Gantz mowing
the grass field. Club member and Web site
director Cindy Toth graciously took the
photos which I want to share with you.
The awesome mower is 29.5 feet wide
and can mow 100 acres in seven hours.
How would you like to have this mower at
your field?
The National Model
Aviation Museum is open
8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday,
and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
on Saturday and Sunday.
Closed on Sundays
Thanksgiving through
Easter. Call ahead for
holiday hours, (765)
287-1256, ext. 500.
Flying Site Assistance continued from page 174