AMA Club Leader Program

by Jay Mealy, Program Director

Many years ago, as I was preparing to depart for my first year of college, a longtime friend and advisor told me, “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 since. Staying power proves useful in many endeavors, but where it truly hits home for me is in reference to flying sites. It is easier to get a flying site than it is to keep a flying site.

I know some of you out there are saying, “You don’t know what we went through to get our site.” That is true, but through my experience, I do know there are clubs that have worked diligently for long periods of time to acquire a flying site, and that they have done a fine job maintaining their site over time. I also know that there have been instances where a club gives its all to acquire a site only to have it taken away in a very short period of time.

There are many reasons why a club might lose its flying site. Some losses are inevitable; however, some clubs must take responsibility for their loss. Many times clubs can unknowingly be their own worst enemy. So, how can AMA make your club more aware of what it takes to maintain the use of a flying site? The answer is the Leader Club Program.

AMA established the program in 1992 in order to recognize clubs that successfully maintained their sites and continued positive relationships with neighbors and community.

Participation is quite simple. There are five requirements:

Club must be an AMA Chartered club for a minimum of five years.
Club has developed and posted Safety and Operational Rules at its flying site.
Club has filed a copy of Safety and Operational Rules at AMA Headquarters.
Flying field has separate areas for fliers and spectators, clearly marked as such. The AMA Safety Code is posted and visible at the club field.
The program recognizes clubs at three different levels Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These levels are determined by the number of electives the club chooses to document (there are nine total).

The five requirements plus three electives qualifies the club for Bronze status; the requirements plus six electives qualifies the club for Silver status; and the requirements plus all nine electives qualifies the club for Gold status.

These criteria were based on what AMA knew to be good operating procedures. Whether it is the administration of activities at the flying site or activities created to enhance the club’s position in the community, all of the Club Leader goals are characteristics of successful clubs.

Participation in the Leader Club Program has been a great source of pride for all clubs enrolled. A number of our Leader Clubs are approaching their 10th year of continuous association with the program—quite an accomplishment to say the least.

More importantly, the program is proving that the goals set forth are important and effective ways to maintain a flying site and be a successful club.

Even if your club is not currently interested in becoming and AMA Leader Club, go to the AMA Web site and make a copy of document # 708 (it can be found at www.modelaircraft.org/acrobat.asp).

Review the document at your next club meeting, and even if the club does not want to participate officially it may want to utilize some of the goals listed. It could go a long way toward helping your club maintain its flying site when you realize it is easier to get a flying site than it is to keep a flying site.