Flying Site Assistance 2014/01

Hi, again! When you read this, it will be nearly 2014. I hope the New Year brings great things to you, your family and your club!
For some clubs, this time of year brings uncertainty. Some are under the threat of losing their sites and others are already seeking new facilities. If your club is facing this problem, please contact me. I will see what AMA can do to help. We have been able to help several clubs retain flying sites and have many ongoing cases. Give me a call or send me an email if your club needs help.
In a recent AMA Today email was information about possible new flying sites that could be created in several states. These were because of AMA attending trade shows and contacting city and county officials to enquire about creating flying sites in their areas. Look for the information in the blog section of the Flying Site Assistance page of the website, or contact me.
Virtually all model flying sites fall within three categories: club-owned property; private-leased property; and government/business-leased property. Clubs that own their sites, but find themselves being forced to move, can expect to sell the property for a profit and purchase another. Although the new site might be farther away and less convenient, there is some measure of control over the situation and more options are available.
Leased sites are the most common for clubs. An example of privately owned, leased property would be farm property. There are many great model sites on agricultural land. The advantage is that the site is rural and sound is usually not an issue. The club only needs a small amount of land—three or four acres—to create a runway, pit, and parking areas. The rest of the farmland is overfly area.
The runway is usually grass, so the farmer can reclaim it if necessary. If the owner decides to terminate the lease, the club may lose some of the improvements it has made, but most can be moved to another site.
Government- and business-owned, leased sites have a few advantages over farmland. Usually clubs are not as limited to the number of improvements that can be made. Many sites have longer-term leases and clubs feel better about spending money to improve the site. Hard-surfaced runways and more permanent shade structures are the norm.
All three of these scenarios have pros and cons. Not even the club-owned sites have a guarantee that they will always be there. What can you do to feel more secure in your situation and set yourself up so that the community and county will be interested in your survival should the loss of you flying site become imminent?
One way to help retain a flying site is through the AMA Leader Club Program. This recognizes clubs for their accomplishments in working to improve facilities for its membership. Another vital part of the program is focused on improving the club’s stature within the community.
There are three levels of AMA Leader Clubs: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. When a club meets the minimum criteria, it can achieve one of the three levels based on the number of electives it accomplishes. Bronze-level clubs must meet all basic requirements plus three electives. Silver-level clubs must meet all basic requirements and six electives. Gold-level clubs must meet all of the basic requirements and all nine electives.
Several electives are directly tied to the clubs’ outreach and education of their communities. As a club becomes active in its community, the community tends to see it as an asset, not a liability.
Clubs that are involved with children via school programs can create a great relationship with the school and school board. When you have support such as this, club members can feel more secure about their future and their ability to keep their flying site.
Elective #4 states: “The club sponsors an annual public event, such as a mall show, flying show, or demonstration.” These types of events make the public aware of the club and what the members do. Often events such as this receive television, radio, or newspaper publicity, providing a positive picture of modeling to the public.
Elective #7 reads: “The club participates in charity programs or public fundraising events.” Nearly every club with which I am in contact participates in some kind of charity fundraiser. These events are great fun, help raise awareness of a worthy cause, and resonate in the community. It is easy to get media coverage for events such as this and the local officials will take notice, especially if you invite them to attend!
Again, this shows everyone that modelers are not “users” who want everything given to them. I have always found modelers to be generous, especially when it comes to charity programs. Many clubs have donated huge amounts of toys and cash during events such as the Marine Corps Toys for Tots annual Christmas drive.
I hope you can see how important community involvement can be to a club. It paves the way for support from those who can provide it. If your club is not active in these areas, discuss it at a club meeting. Right now, you might feel pretty good about your flying site situation, but can it change? You bet!
Discuss with your fellow members how your club can be more proactive in protecting your flying site. If you haven’t thought about the AMA Leader Club Awards program, look into it. Your club may already be well on the way to Gold Leader Club status!
You can find more information about the Leader Club Program by calling (800) 435-9262 or by visiting the AMA website at www.modelaircraft.org.
You can do it!