Is Your Flying Site Ready for the Season?

by Ashley Rauen, AMA Insider Editor

Winter’s finally moving on and spring is moving in. I’m sure many of you have spent your time indoors and out of the cold developing new creations to impress fellow modelers and yourself this upcoming season.

Your model is ready, but is your flying site?

For those with club’s that are located in the colder parts of the nation, winter storms can do significant damage to a field. On the other hand, warmer states endure the rainy season and high waters—also damaging to flying sites. The field may look okay at first glance, but it’s the small details that make a site nicer and safer.

Here are some things to look for when preparing your flying site for the 2008 season:

• Are there fences surrounding your flying site? When snow accumulates, it can be quite heavy. Abundant frozen snow sitting on a fence can quickly wear it down and cause separation or breakage. Walk the fenced areas around your flying site and check for holes or places where the fence may have fallen down. A quick mend can enhance the appearance of the site as well as keep wandering critters from getting too close to your models.

• Check the runway and surrounding areas for holes or loss of terrain. Bald spots in grass or dips in the ground are unappealing and leave uneven surfaces that can cause injury if an individual is not watching his or her step. Take the time to lay grass seed in worn areas or fill in holes with loose dirt. If your site uses a paved runway, look into recovering the damaged areas or speak with your site owner about the possibility of repaving. It may mean a fundraiser for your club, but a smooth surface to taxi your new models is worth it.

• Are there trees on or around your site? While they may not be near your flying area, trees can affect your flight. Broken limbs and twigs can become airborne in high winds. They can easily damage property or possibly cause injury. Inspect around the tree line for any loose branches that can be removed from the area.

• Do spectators spend time at your field? If so, it is assumed that some form of seating is available to them. Take an inventory of all your seating surfaces. Do any of the chairs have broken legs? Are there any exposed nails sticking out of that picnic table? Sometimes a quick coat of paint can work wonders in turning that scratched and dented equipment into a welcoming visitor area.

• Take inventory of all signs posted at your site. Have some fallen down or been damaged by the harsh weather? Are the signs still legible or do they need to be remade? Signage at a flying site is very important; treat your signs as such. Additional or new signs and posters for Safety and RC Frequency can be purchased through AMA for a small fee. Contact the AMA club secretary (ext. 291 or loism@modelaircraft.org) to order.

• Lastly, what is your club’s first aid supply like? Have supplies been used that were never replaced? Check all dates on supplies that can expire. Throw away anything past its expiration date and restock. Never use medical supplies that are past the date of expiration. There is no guarantee that they are still of quality.

The list can go on and on. Each club has a different flying site and appearance it’s accustomed to. It’s important that clubs take the time to evaluate their site property and make sure everything is safe and in good form. Remember: AMA and its members take pride in model aviation; the flying field is an extension of this pride. Q