Flying Site Assistance - 2004/01
Contacts
- Joe Beshar, Coordinator, Eastern Region, Districts I–VI
- Address: 198 Merritt Dr., Oradell, NJ 07649
- Tel.: (201) 261-1281
- Fax: (201) 261-0223
- E-mail: joebeshar@juno.com
- Wes De Cou, Coordinator, Western Region, Districts VII–XI
- Address: 202 W. Desert Flower Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85045
- Voice: (480) 460-9466
- Cell: (480) 296-9515
- Fax: (480) 460-9434
- E-mail: wesdecou@cox.net
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
Many years ago, as I was preparing to depart for my first year of college, a longtime friend and advisor made the comment that "it is easier to get into college than it is to stay in college." That statement proved to be true and has stuck with me ever since.
That saying can be applied to many other endeavors such as jobs, but where it truly hits home for me is in reference to a flying site. It is easier to get a flying site than it is to keep a flying site.
Now, I know there are many who will say that I don't know "what they went through to get their site"—and that is a fair point. Based on my experience, though, I do know there are many clubs who have worked diligently and for long periods of time to acquire a flying site and have done a fine job of maintaining the site for an extended period.
On the other hand, there are instances where clubs have given their all to acquire a site only to have it taken away in a very short period of time.
There are many reasons for the loss of flying sites, and some losses are inevitable no matter how effective the club may have been. Many times clubs must take responsibility for the loss. Often clubs can unknowingly be their own worst enemy.
How can we assist in making clubs more aware of what it takes to maintain the use of a flying site?
AMA Leader Club Program
In 1992 the Academy established a program to recognize clubs that are good examples of how to successfully retain their sites and maintain positive relationships with neighbors and the community. The program is called the AMA Leader Club Program and participation is simple.
The criteria for participation were based on known good operating procedures—whether administrative procedures at the flying site or activities designed to enhance the club's position in the community.
All of these "goals," whether required or elective, are characteristics of successful clubs. The Academy is not asking clubs to do anything out of the ordinary; just to do what successful clubs have been doing for years.
Recognition levels and requirements:
- Bronze: the five required goals plus three electives
- Silver: the five required goals plus six electives
- Gold: the five required goals plus nine electives
Recognition and benefits:
- When a club qualifies for Leader Club status it receives a certificate from AMA Headquarters, a bronze/silver/gold-finished pin for each current club member in the first year, and published recognition of Leader Club status in Model Aviation and on the AMA website.
- Gold level Leader Clubs receive an engraved ID plate for display at the club field.
- In the year following the fifth consecutive year of Gold Leader Club status, each current club member will receive a special five-year patch.
Each year Leader Clubs are asked to respond to a simple report which verifies their continued involvement and allows them to move to a higher level of recognition if they desire.
Participation in the Leader Club Program has been a great source of pride for enrolled clubs. A number of our Leader Clubs are approaching their 10th year of continuous association with the program—quite an accomplishment.
More important is that the program demonstrates the benefits and importance of the goals set as criteria and how effective achieving these goals can be in maintaining a flying site and being a successful club.
Even if your club is not currently interested in becoming an AMA Leader Club, go to the AMA website and make a copy of document 708 (found in "AMA Documents (PDF)" in the "Membership Services" drop-down menu on the front page).
Review the document at your next club meeting. Even if the club chooses not to participate officially, members may want to adopt some of the goals listed. This could go a long way in helping your club maintain its flying site when you realize that it is easier to get a flying site than it is to keep a flying site.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
