Flying Site Assistance
Hints, Tips, and "Far-Out" Ideas That Just Might Get You a Field
"Gee, Wes. I'm calling because I need your help. Our club just lost its flying site. What can we do?"
That's the beginning of many conversations I have every week with fellow modelers who face the problem of residential development and the resultant loss of flying space. Sometimes the loss occurs because the developer is in fact taking over the actual flying site.
In many other cases, the site is left untouched, but new residential development is so close to the site that flying is impractical for safety reasons. In yet other cases, engine noise—very discernable to the new residents—is the culprit in a local decision to ban model aviation.
I continue to recommend that every club be on the lookout for a new flying site, even if the one they are using now seems like it will last forever. Last time I checked, forever hadn't happened yet, but lots of flying fields have been lost to the surveyor's stakes.
Common causes of lost flying sites:
- Developers taking over the property.
- New residential development making flying impractical for safety reasons.
- Noise complaints from new residents prompting bans.
I talk about site search committees, networking, publicity, and contributions to local community charities as ways to endear the club to local citizens and government officials. I find many times that in the search for a brand-new site, educating the "powers that be" about exactly what constitutes model aviation is the first huge hurdle. Often, words alone don't seem to be enough to convey that critical knowledge.
What to do? ... what to do?
As I was enjoying the inaugural Electric Flight Expo at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (the indoor site of the last Super Bowl) this past April 25–27, it occurred to me that the jaw-dropping performances of the world-class pilots flying at the event were the best possible "definitions" of model aviation.
There were myriad indoor events—some just for fun, others very competitive. There was an outdoor venue as well, for those who wanted some firsthand (and first-time) stick time. Common comments from the general public indicated that they had no real concept of model aviation until they had witnessed or participated in the real thing.
Flying routines choreographed to music were stunning. The crowd wanted more, not less, flying!
So here are a couple of "what to do" suggestions. Every month MA has a section called the "Contest Calendar." The section lists upcoming events by month, with listings in alphabetical order by state.
If you are searching for a flying site and an event near you would demonstrate to a landowner, parks and recreation managers, or other local officials what you are asking to do on a piece of their property, invite them to attend with you.
Two significant benefits accrue:
- The individual(s) will gain a firsthand appreciation of what it is you are requesting.
- You will doubtless profit from the informal face-to-face time with the official. Now you're more than just a name on an agenda.
If there doesn't happen to be an event listed in the magazine, create a flying opportunity in your area where you can show the appropriate people just what you will be doing at the proposed site. Don't show off your biggest, loudest, fastest aircraft. Fly what would be the average-sized model: electric, glow, or gas—and be prepared to answer any questions. Give an actual demonstration and offer face-to-face discussions. It's a great combination.
Far out? Perhaps, but if you don't try, you'll fail for sure.
Member Tom Mullen, who flies out of Cleburne, Texas, had a suggestion I'll pass on. While I always suggest that you talk to parks and recreation personnel or to parish, city, or borough officials, he has had success talking to police chiefs and sheriffs.
The theory here is that in some locations there are substantial parcels of land where youngsters "hang out," sometimes with motives with which the local peace officers take issue. By establishing a frequently used flying field, the "hangers-out" are displaced, and the trouble spot is often eliminated. Tom feels that having the local police/sheriff in your corner will help sway opinion in favor of a legitimate recreational activity on such a site.
I have one more potential resource for you in your quest for a new site. In addition to Joe Beshar and me, we have a cadre of volunteer Flying Site Assistants throughout the country.
If you need information regarding flying site acquisition or help with a presentation, call Joe (Districts I–VII) or me (Districts VIII–XI) and we'll see if we can get you some local support.
Get out there and find that field!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
