The Washington R/C Flyers
By Tony Stillman, Flying Site Coordinator
It has been another busy month at AMA Headquarters. We just completed the 2014 Outdoor Nats at the International Aeromodeling Center, and I hope everyone had a great experience.
I was able to spend some time on-site for these events:
- CL (Control Line)
- RC Combat
- Pylon Racing
- RC Aerobatics
The weather was some of the best in recent years, with pleasant temperatures and very little rain. If you have not attended the Nats, put it on your bucket list — it is a blast and you will meet some of the best modelers in the world.
We are still working on FAA issues and additional work with the National Park Service regarding its recent policy memorandum. As I stated last month, we conducted a survey to gather more information from AMA-chartered clubs about their flying sites. If your club has not participated, please have an officer contact me; the information will help us better serve our clubs.
Washington R/C Flyers — Flying Site Assistance Story
This flying site assistance story was originally provided by then-club president Vern Mall (who passed away in 2006) and has been updated with information from the current club president, John Bremenkamp.
The Washington R/C Flyers vacated our flying site of 14 years because a house was constructed that would be in our flight pattern. Our search for a new site began. We evaluated many potential sites but rejected most for various reasons, including safety.
One member noted that the City of Washington owned land east of town purchased for flood control. We contacted two city aldermen, who were favorable to our idea and suggested we make a presentation to the city council.
The council members, mayor, city administrator, city engineer, and city attorney were impressed by our presentation and approved for the city administrator to work with us on a lease agreement.
We went to the Tazewell County Zoning Board and were approved for a special-use permit to construct:
- a runway
- a club house
- a maintenance building
- a vault toilet
The special-use permit covers 57 acres of overfly area. The club will lease 5 acres from the city; the remainder of the 57 acres is farmed by a person who leases it from the city. We talked to the farmer and adjacent landowners and all were favorable to being our neighbors. We had no objectors at the zoning meeting because of the groundwork laid with all parties concerned.
Funding and support efforts included:
- Applying for an AMA flying-site grant
- Requesting a grant and/or discount from our local RP Lumber Co. for building materials
- Selling bonds to our membership to raise funds for site improvements
John Bremenkamp offered this update:
As a club, we have been enjoying the new field that Vern acquired for us. The takeoff and landing area measures 750 by 140 feet. In addition to this space, we have pits, a shelter, and parking.
The field is about 2 miles from the edge of the town of Washington and is surrounded by corn fields on all four sides. One neighbor is slightly more than a quarter of a mile away and is not impacted by our flying. There are no trees or obstructions to the east of us, which is the direction we face when flying.
We currently have 39 members. Last year the club installed a fabric runway primarily for electric aircraft; it is still in perfect shape and is quite a draw for new members because electric flying is so popular.
Our 10-year lease will be renewed with the City of Washington for another 10 years later this year. Our only source of electricity is a small generator, and we do not have running water. Given the lack of these niceties, we are not seeking outside organizations to use this pristine area — it looks and feels like a golf-course fairway but is reserved for our club's enjoyment.
New members moving in from other states have commented on the field's beauty and ideal flying qualities. We have invested enough to make it a great place to picnic and fly as a club without being richly endowed with extras. Visit http://washingtonrcflyers.com to see site pictures.
We look forward to welcoming many new interested public spectators and prospective members in the future.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
