Flying Site Assistance
Wes De Cou | [email protected]
You are neither train nor truck. You're a club, but you still need to toot your own horn!
Why publicity matters
In the first four months of this year, I've seen a large number of clubs across the country put their "club faces" in the news, and the results are all positive.
There are clubs out there whose members seem to have the attitude that "out of sight, out of mind" is a good way to ensure longevity. My experience is quite the opposite.
When it comes time to renew a lease or to renegotiate space on public land, the question is often asked, "What has this flying group done for the community?" If their contributions are nil, how about putting a soccer field on the site?
Those of us who regularly attend city planning sessions know that city officials are "bottom-line" oriented. If they approve a softball field or a flying field, it is only after a discussion about the costs to the municipality and the benefit to its citizens. If we stand in front of a parks and recreation commission, hat in hand, and ask for a flying site but can't enumerate the potential benefits to the community, our struggle is all uphill.
Here's some food for thought regarding things your club might do to get in the limelight in a very positive way.
Florence, Arizona — Florence Aero Modelers
Late last year I wrote about a club field dedication in the small town of Florence, Arizona. Early this year I received the following note from AMA member Lyle Bohn, president of the Florence Aero Modelers and the key person in the effort to get the facility built.
"Hello Wes,
"Finally getting around to sending this to you. Richard Sanders, formerly a Florence Town Councilman, found out in December that the Town of Florence received an award from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association at their annual APRA Awards Banquet. The attached was taken from the banquet program.
"There were 104 nominations in 22 separate categories in which the Town of Florence was in the 'population under 25,000' category. I guess the Town received a nice plaque for this.
"At the end of the year we had approximately 80 members in our club. We had one Fun Fly in December with another one planned for March 7, 2009. We are still working at trying to get our runway seal coated and are presently putting up more of the rodeo fence that was donated. Getting our shade ramada up is next.
"We have a Web site presently under construction at www.florence-aero-modelers.org. The Florence IT Manager is providing this for us free of charge. We have many pictures covering the building of our field and the ribbon-cutting opening. As you know, all of this happened in 3 months."
There's a "wow" factor here — a flying site recognized as being worthy of a commendation at the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. That's a big win for a small town.
And did you see the comment about club membership? Lyle started with five semi-interested modelers, but that number shot up to 80 once a flying site was available.
The AMA is participating in recreation conventions at the national level through the National Recreation and Park Association. You can be sure that the City of Florence commendation will be a prominent part of the presentations.
Las Vegas, Nevada — Las Vegas RC Modelers (LVRC)
In another good-for-model-aviation activity, a public-relations coup was scored by the Las Vegas RC Modelers (LVRC). On April 25, I met with District X Associate Vice President Greg Clemensen and LVRC members Darrell Stubbs and Brian Vyhnal at an event sponsored by the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department.
The event was staged to recognize the contributions of the many volunteers who support the department. As it turns out, three of the LVRC members serve as ambassadors in the Park Ambassador program run by the county.
These members mentor individuals who use other parks department venues, as well as monitoring activity at the Bill Bennett Field in Las Vegas where the Tournament of Champions (TOC) is held.
According to Della Boyd, Principal Management Analyst and Volunteer Management Director for the County, the LVRC members are an invaluable part of the overall program. The program is recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association — just the type of public exposure we need.
Other local examples
Following are a few items I found online that recognize clubs doing noteworthy community work.
- Oconee Eagles (Mountain Lakes region, South Carolina)
- Alena Pelfry reported that Bob Wilkinson and Scott Swanson of the Oconee Eagles Model Aviation Club presented checks totaling $750 to a local home for children. Most funds were raised during a fundraiser where they auctioned a Spitfire model built and donated by Bob. Pelfry noted she was impressed with the model and the club; their Web site is listed as www.oconeeeagles.org.
- Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers (East Wenatchee, Washington)
- Staff writer Travis Hay (posted May 9, 2009 on wenatcheeworld.com) covered the Apple Blossom Radio Control Airplane Fly-in. More than 100 radio-controlled model planes — from turbine-powered to gliders to stunt planes — filled the Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers Field for the event, attracting pilots and hundreds of spectators from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Canada.
- Quotes from participants highlight the hobby as a family, recreational and educational activity:
- "Really it's just a bunch of big kids with big toys," said Jeff Bellinger, president of the Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers.
- "I started doing this 12 years ago with my son when he was 9 years old," said Patrick Winters of Spokane.
- "It really has become a passion. But it does have its ups and downs. If you don't crash, then you're not trying hard enough. Everybody crashes," said David Jensen of Bellevue.
- The story also covered crashes and repairs, and the dedication of pilots who build, fly and maintain often-expensive aircraft.
- Rockwall RC Sport Flyers (Rockwall County, Texas)
- The Rockwall (Texas) County Herald-Banner publicized an open house and Fun Fly: "(May 9) Group demonstrates radio control aircraft. The Rockwall RC Sport Flyers will be holding an open house and Fun Fly at 9 a.m. May 9, at the club field on Dowell Road, south of State Highway 276. Spectators are welcome to view radio control fun fly contests and demonstrations of radio control aircraft. The club will cook hot dogs and hamburgers."
Conclusion — Get visible
Don't hide! Get the hobby you love "out there" where people can see what you do. Be a positive influence on kids, mid-lifers, and seniors in your community.
Get pro-model aviation publicity, and expect better results when you ask for some, more, or better flying facilities.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
