Create a positive relationship
Flying Site Assistance
Tony Stillman, Flying Site Coordinator
Hi everyone!
As summer approaches, flying season will be in full swing. I hope you are enjoying the weather and the flying.
During the past year or so, I have been in contact with modelers who enjoy flying small, park-flyer–type models. Many have been flying at local schoolyards and city parks. Small, lightweight electric models can safely operate at city parks.
However, I have also heard from a few modelers who discovered their city has an ordinance banning the flying of models at all city parks, and they contacted me for help. Often these ordinances are in place because of safety concerns, not because of a history of problems. It may not be difficult to work toward having the ordinance modified to allow model aircraft to fly at a city park.
In Florida one ordinance was changed after a city councilman purchased an RC park-flyer model airplane and wanted to fly it at a nearby city park. When he learned about the ordinance, he brought it up to the council and showed council members the model, which led to the ordinance being modified. He now flies his model at the park. This councilman was not an AMA member and had no previous contact with AMA until this issue arose.
In another community, a group of AMA members were flying park models at a local city park when someone contacted the city manager to complain about safety concerns. The complaint was unfounded, but it brought to light the issue of fliers using the site without permission. As a result, the group lost access to the site for some time.
After contacting me and discussing the problem, the group formed a club and created a proposal that would allow the club to fly at the site. This resulted in the group obtaining written permission to fly, and a specific location to operate at was designated. The city is now aware of the club’s operation, and club members can work together to keep the site open for all to use.
The best way to obtain a long-term flying site is to create a positive relationship with your site owner. In the case of city or county parks, these places exist to give residents a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Obtaining permission to use this type of facility should not be a difficult task if done correctly.
Take the time to plan what you want to do. Consider the following steps:
- Create a flying-site layout showing dimensions of your site and where and how you will fly.
- Make sure everyone using the site is an AMA member.
- Show that you can obtain the needed insurance certificate from AMA to protect the site owner from liability concerns.
- Show the models you want to fly and demonstrate their operation.
- Remove safety concerns from the equation so the rest can fall into place.
The result is a new flying space that is protected from loss. Being a good steward of the site will ensure a good relationship with the site owner. Such a relationship is valuable.
If you are facing a problem with a city or county park, or want to work to obtain access to one, give me a call or send me an email. I will be glad to help.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
