Emory Cole Field
Spearheaded by Emory Cole of the Columbia Radio Control Flying Modelers Club (CRCFMC) and the Monsanto Chemical Company, a Tennessee landfill became a great new model airpark. Geoffrey Styles
The airpark
Columbia, Tennessee has a great new model airport. It's the new home of the Columbia Radio Control Flying Modelers Club (CRCFMC). If you looked at the pictures on this page, you've already seen the place.
The airpark has a 500-ft. paved runway, five taxi strips, a paved pit area, a covered shelter, screened bleachers for spectators, a rest room, a storage building, excellent access road, and lots of parking. What more could a dedicated model aviator ask for?
How it came about
The story began with Emory Cole, longtime AMA member, model builder, and a 29-year veteran employee with a national company. That company is Monsanto Chemical, a major employer in Columbia (TN) and a firm with a real sense of civic duty. Monsanto has done many things in Columbia to improve the quality of life for local people. Donations of money and equipment to many projects in Columbia have given this company a first-line public image. In addition, they treat their employees right and are always open to suggestions and requests.
Tired of having his club moved from flying site to flying site, Emory Cole decided to approach Monsanto about a landfill area that was rapidly being completed. Consisting of about 37 acres ringed by trees and adjacent to a wildlife area (another Monsanto civic donation), it had, Emory thought, wonderful potential to become a model airport. When he approached Monsanto plant manager Bill Perdue with the idea, Perdue's response exceeded his best expectations. An agreement was quickly reached. Permission to use the land for model flying followed, and a lease arrangement for long-term occupation by the club was signed.
Under Tennessee law, such areas have to be relandscaped. Monsanto hires subcontractors to do that work. However, had the property been restored to a normal condition, it wouldn't have become the ideal airport that it is. Instead Monsanto authorized the addition of fill materials to improve drainage, had a large area leveled, and then fertilized and seeded the entire acreage for ground cover against erosion.
Contributions and construction
Solicitation of external support by Emory and other members resulted in exceptional contributions from other local businesses. Bleachers came from the local parks department; screened bleachers were provided by another donor. Steel columns, beams, and roofing were made available as surplus inventory and Monsanto constructed an open-sided building. Curbs and paving were donated by another contractor; driveways will be completely paved when scheduled completion allows (rain precluded asphalt surfacing at opening time). The beautiful runway was paid for by Monsanto and the CRCFMC. A good thing about heavy rains was that the grass looked like carpet.
Dedication ceremony
AMA President Don Lowe attended the grand opening. Special guests at the September 17th ceremony included Don Lowe; Lee Webster, District V VP; Monsanto representatives Bill Perdue, plant manager, and Richard Joslin, environmental officer, Monsanto office, St. Louis, MO; Charles Burroughs, state environmental agency; and several city and county officials. Donors of labor and services were recognized in a nice ceremony. Emory Cole presented certificates, plaques, and trophies to commemorate the day and to offer thanks to the great individuals and companies that contributed so much to make the model airpark possible.
Donors and contributors
- Damron & Sons Construction
- Mid-Tenn Steel
- Billy Fitzgerald Plumbing
- Turner & Osborne
- Goodwin & Sons Contractors
- Maury County Parks
- Kerr Bros.
- APAC Paving
- Hunt Memorials
- Sloan Ford
- Columbia Soroptimist Club
- Columbia Construction
- Floyd & Floyd Contractors
- B&F Paving
- Occidental Chemical
- Monsanto
The club
The members of the Columbia Radio Control Flying Modelers Club, ranging in age from 14 to 69 years, are truly grateful for the wonderful help and contributions they have received. Led by President Emory Cole, Vice President Doug Young, Secretary Larry Ross, and Treasurer Roland Descans, the club has a truly great place to fly and an unlimited future. In their case, the sky really is the limit!
Note: The author is director of the AMA Public Relations Department.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
