Flying Site Assistance
Joe Beshar
- Coordinator, Eastern Region, Districts I–VI
- 198 Merritt Dr., Oradell, NJ 07649
- Tel: (201) 261-1281
- Fax: (201) 261-0223
- E-mail: [email protected]
Wes De Cou
- Coordinator, Western Region, Districts VII–XI
- Voice: (480) 460-9466
- Cell: (480) 296-9515
- Fax: (480) 460-9434
- 202 W. Desert Flower Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85045
- E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
Buzz Borden — Flying Site Assistance Volunteer
BUZZ BORDEN, flying site assistance volunteer from DeLand, Florida, was presented the AMA District V Service Award for his outstanding and ambitious effort in attempting to develop the largest aeromodeling park in Florida.
"It Can Happen: We residents of Florida have been fortunate in our government's prudent leadership throughout these years. It was with vision that 156 award-winning state parks have been developed—these natural reserves accommodating many forms of passive recreation.
"The State Bureau of Land Management has entrusted an additional 838,117 acres (and growing) to the state's Division of Forests for conservation and recreation. The demise of the Cross Florida barge canal left the state's Greenways and Trails with more than 500,000 acres for conservation and recreation. A major, commendable effort is underway to acquire even more land for bicycle, hiking, and jogging trails.
"In addition, more acreage is being acquired by 'Florida Forever' in order to protect more of our natural heritage.
"More than 1.5 million acres of public land are now under Florida State's control.
"With development mushrooming beyond wildest expectations, the 67 counties comprising our state are being forced to repeatedly amend their Comprehensive Master Plans to accommodate this rapid growth.
"A combination of zoning changes, subsequent creation of sweeping residential developments, and the spiraling cost of land is forcing recreational RC flying clubs to close up shop. This is a national problem! Indeed, a national American pastime once enjoyed by many astronauts in their younger years is now being threatened with extinction.
"The proposal contained within this pamphlet outlines a plea for 96–125 acres of public land to be used for a variety of recreational uses not condoned in our 156 state parks. The parcel of land we seek is desolate, ravaged, and downright ugly. Conversion of this acreage into a simplistic facility for RC airplane, boating, and car enthusiasts would surely serve the state's best interests—expanded recreational facilities.
"A threat to wildlife? This is seriously doubtful when one becomes aware of the fact birds are the number one problem at airports across the nation and jackrabbits are now causing major havoc at Miami's International Airport.
"The reader is asked to envision the beneficial impacts this facility would have on Volusia County's tourism business. Development of this park would be done with private-sector dollars. All we need is a minute piece of Tiger Bay State Forest. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
"All visitors would be welcomed, but all users of the park facilities would have to be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, abide by its posted rules and regulations, and be the beneficiaries of its comprehensive insurance plan covering members and spectators."
Governing Body Overseeing the Park
Concept
To establish a multifunction park on 95 acres in Tiger Bay State Forest and to devise a management structure to tend to the needs of the functional groups and clubs using the facility. The management structure is to provide optimized conditions for all participants and the community as well.
Scope
The functions to be accommodated in this park shall consist of a wide variety of model aircraft, RC 1/8- and 1/10-scale motorized vehicles, RC sailboats, and electrically propelled RC boats.
Membership
- All members and certified guests must be active members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and abide by its rules and regulations.
- AMA membership includes liability insurance offering protection to guests and participants.
- Students of Embry-Riddle would have their own flying club as co-tenant with an AMA-chartered club having jurisdiction over the boats and car facilities.
Structure
- A board of directors shall be formed to oversee the overall development and productive usage of this facility.
- It is envisioned the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs (e.g., Division of Forests) will grant a lease of these 95 acres to Volusia County for a period of no less than 20 years.
- The "landlord" could be the Volusia County Director of Leisure Activities, who would also serve as chairman of the board. Also sitting on the board would be a representative from the Division of Forests, an AMA district manager/appointee, and a representative from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
- The initial purpose of this board of directors is to set forth the design and development of this multifunction park, to ensure all development is consistent with State-approved plans, and to ensure any manmade structures would be removed upon termination of the lease.
- A permanent charter would be drafted to ensure certain park usage parameters are set and remain unalterable. Contributing to the crafting of this charter would be members and officers of AMA-chartered RC flying clubs located in Central Florida. It is envisioned this charter would provide for up to seven (7) annual flying events hosted at this facility. Competitions for RC car enthusiasts could also be scheduled either as scheduled events or as a separate entity.
- The ongoing purpose of this board is to manage the facility and invoke usage/membership fees to cover the cost of maintenance and agreed improvements.
Events Board of Directors
A supplemental board of nonvoting members shall be established to regulate and schedule special events over the course of the calendar year. Intended board members would include tourism officials from surrounding communities, the AMA site manager, and presidents of the suggested two resident clubs.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
