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The
Rockwall RC Sport Flyers in Texas was
founded by a group of 12 modelers nearly 20
years ago when a front yard served as the
club's first flying field. The members
eventually migrated to a larger field but
encountered a few problems, which included
cows eating the grass on the runway and pit
area and a neighbor whose favorite sport
seemed to be shooting at their airplanes.
After long negotiations with the city of
Rockwall, the club leased a site located on
the city's landfill.
During its first 10 years, the club had roughly two dozen
members, increasing to 30 in the next few
years. It elected officers, charged dues,
wrote bylaws and safety rules, created a Web
site, and put much effort into
improving the flying field.
Two issues were a constant problem: the weather and the 80/20
rule. Without sufficient rain, the grass
wilts and wide cracks open in the land.
Without diligent maintenance, it doesn't
take long for the field to become a dusty,
bumpy dirt field.
In this largely informal organization, 20% of the members
regularly performed 80% of the
field-maintenance chores. Eventually, those
doing all the work grew weary of watching
other members who just paid their dues and
flew their airplanes. Gradually maintenance
that was once routine became less so.
In 2003 a program to again level the area and lay an
asphalt-based, flexible Petromat runway was
formulated but had to be approved by the
city of Rockwall. Because the field sits on
a landfill, the city had environmental
concerns and placed strict limits on field
improvements.
In the summer of 2005, the city approved the plan and the
club was able to make significant field
renovations. The members reconfigured the
field layout, readied the land, and
purchased and installed the 30- x 350-foot
Petromat runway. They erected safety fencing
and pilot stations and renovated the
driveway and parking areas.
Membership increased that year to 70 and the members found
out that transitioning from a small club to
a larger club brings its own set of
complications. A larger club requires more
organization. Informal and "understood"
rules had to be formalized and transformed
into written rules.
Stricter control mechanisms were required. This was
especially true with frequency control. To
ensure that safety rules were clearly
visible, improved safety signs were required
at the flying field. The flying-proficiency
committee established guidelines and
standards for instructor pilots who were
training novice pilots.
The increase in attendance at monthly meetings required a
formal meeting agenda to conduct business in
an orderly fashion. Additional dues revenue
required more detailed accounting.
Member identification is necessary in larger clubs, so the
Rockwall Sport Flyers began to issue photo
ID cards. In addition to the individual's
name, the card shows if he or she is an
instructor, a qualified pilot, or student
pilot.
In a larger club, good communication is essential. Several
members created a club Web site and set up a
broadcast system to send E-mail to members.
The club's newsletter is posted online.
Paul Ramirez, who sent me this information
about the Rockwall club, wrote:
"In two decades, our club's membership has
grown five fold, but we are not finished
yet. We may be experiencing growing pains,
but we have aspirations for the future. We
want to establish an important presence in,
and become a valued asset of, our local
community.
"The Rockwall RC Sport Flyers is a very
special club. It's a special club because
our members make it special. They are the
most personable and friendly group of
individuals that you could ever hope to
meet."
You can learn more about the club's activities by visiting
its Web site at
www.rockwallrc.com
MA
Safe flying.
Joyce Hager, Acting Executive Director
This portion of the work crew is taking a
water break during one of many
days of the renovation project.
Coordinated teamwork is required to lay out
the Petromat.
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