166 MODEL AVIATION
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 of the 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 for the simple reason that 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 had been lost to the surveyor’s
stakes.
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, how to educate 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—yep, the
indoor site of the last Super Bowl—this past April 25-27, it
occurred to me that the jaw-dropping performances of the worldclass
pilots flying at the event were the best possible
“definitions” of model aviation.
There were myriad indoor events—some just for fun, others
of a very competitive nature. 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, or parks and recreation
managers, or to 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. First, the individual(s) will
gain a firsthand appreciation of what it is you are requesting.
Second, you will doubtless profit from this somewhat 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.
Member Tom Mullen, who flies out of Cleburn, Texas, had a
suggestion I’ll pass to you. He mentioned to me that 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 “hangersout”
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.
Far out? Perhaps, but if you don’t try, you’ll fail for sure.
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 if
you need 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!
Wes De Cou
Coordinator, Western Region
AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, LA, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV,
OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.,
Phoenix AZ 85045
Voice: (480) 460-9466;
Cell: (480) 296-9515
Fax: (480) 460-9434
E-mail: [email protected]
Joe Beshar
Coordinator, Eastern Region
AL, CT, DC, DE, Europe, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME,
MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, RI, SC, VA,
VI, VT, WI, and WV
198 Merritt Dr., Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281;
Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
Often, words alone don’t
seem to be enough to convey
that critical knowledge.
Far out? Perhaps, but if you
don’t try, you’ll fail for sure.
07amanews.qxp 5/21/2008 11:50 AM Page 166
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 166