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Club Corner

Be Proactive

by Jim Wallen, AMA Insider Club Editor

Are you in danger of losing your flying site? Perhaps the answer is “yes” and you don’t even know it. All too often clubs get into a situation where their flying site is in jeopardy and the opportunity to fix the problem has already passed!

Noise abatement is a subject most clubs pay little or no attention to, and can lead to huge problems. Your club should be aware of the potential for complaints about noise that can shut down your field. Choose someone in your club to open this issue to your membership so they are at least aware of the potential. The club safety officer is a good candidate because each club is required to have one.

Get a simple sound meter and check some models at random. Perhaps you may want to adopt IMAC noise rules. This may kick off the awareness button for some members. Educate your membership on sound characteristics. Investigate the benefits of using a three-blade propeller. Take a look at your overflight tendencies and your flying times so you do not offend the neighbors. The key is to be proactive.

Has your club developed a good working relationship with local governmental agencies? If for some reason you do get into an issue, you are better off having the local elected officials be sympathetic to your cause. Have you walked the extra mile to get involved with community programs that put you in a good light? March in the local parades. Put on a mall show. Visit a hospital, school, or senior citizen facility. You want to present the image of being “one of the good guys.” The key is to be proactive.

Your neighbors surrounding your flying site are important to you. Visit a homeowner’s association to introduce yourself and project a positive image. Invite the neighbors to come over to the site and enjoy a hot dog and a buddy-box experience. Encourage the kids to participate. The key is to be proactive.

Keep in mind that your flying field is the glue that keeps your club members together. It is perhaps your most valuable asset. Do whatever you can to protect it. The key is to be proactive. Q