One of the 55 AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs that received a Club Training Day Starter Kit from the AMA Foundation is AMA District I's Fremont RC Flyers. Club Vice President Douglas Thompson provided the following write-up about his club's extremely successful event:
"The Peterson Field Open Fun Fly was a hit! It is estimated to be our club's largest fun fly attendance to date! Over a hundred people, including everyone from our current longtime members, new members, other clubs' members, interested and potential members, and people who had never seen RC flight before, came to enjoy our event on Saturday, August 30. At one point during the day, we fit 32 cars (counted) into our little parking area, and most came full of people of all ages.
"We had a record turnout for the event at our club, with numerous newcomers and dozens of buddy-boxed introductory flights with the new club trainer. We maidened it on this day to show folks how well they should fly right out of the box with the proper checks. It flew perfectly and was performing introductions to RC flight for people on only its third flight ever. It lasted the day without a scratch, despite some wind!
"John Beyer raffled his handmade quilts. The story, quality, and care behind making them brought every single person at the event to his raffle table, giving everyone a chance to talk to him, even if just for a few minutes, and to help fulfill Donna's wish to generously donate her precious time making them. In turn, the proceeds from them went to the club. He even donated a new pop-up to the club after the event was over for our future use at these events. His generosity knows no end, and his late wife Donna lives on through his strength and through his warm smile he always brings to people around him. Thank you, John!
"We had a wonderful day with warm weather but some wind, which is always entertaining. No major casualties in the plane department, despite our best efforts with a combat session between 6 flat foamies and some fierce competitors. Some amazing planes and amazing pilots came through and set a great example for both the club and the hobby by being courteous, flying safely, and sharing the space with everyone. I thought that the club had too many benches, but we ran out early and had pilots setting planes up around the benches too for most of the day. Doug Gelina and his wife, Carol, cooked and sold food like you wouldn't believe. Thank you, Carol and Doug, for all the hard work, the great food, and the positively great support all around!
"We posted this event on Facebook with a 'boost' of advertising provided by the AMA Foundation for our club and also their donation of an AeroScout through Horizon Hobby, which we used throughout the day to get the crowd involved and flying. The advertising through both this and our own word of mouth to family and friends made this event as big as it was.
"We had at least 25 people show up who heard about us directly from the ad that we posted on Facebook. They caught wind of the event there, asked a few brief questions at times, and ended up showing up to and loving the event. We received a ton of thanks for advertising to the public and for putting on such a welcoming and entertaining event. Many stayed longer than they expected, putting off other obligations they had to just see a little more of what we were up to. My only wish is that we could do it more often!
"The advertising got us at least 3 new memberships, 2 confirmed and one pending, because some had flown but never at a club. Showing the masses the value in a club and the fun that can be had was 100% persuasive and convincing. The only way to show people what they are missing is to get them to the field. The ads we posted got them there, and the trainer showed both the AMA's support for what we're doing and the value in having an instructor to get you started.
"We appreciate this gracious donation from the AMA Foundation and will continue to advertise and utilize the trainer, as it brought us so much success last weekend! Thank you."
Thank you, Douglas, for providing such a fantastic write-up on your club's amazing event! The Fremont RC Flyers' dedication to sharing the joy of flight with their community is outstanding, and the AMA Foundation is thrilled to see that the Club Training Day Starter Kit played a part in such an incredible show of community outreach.
The AMA Foundation is eager to hear how other AMA Introductory Pilot Program clubs have utilized their Club Training Day Starter Kits. If your club received a kit, let Chief Communications Officer Clarissa Poston know how it was utilized by emailing clarissap@modelaircraft.org.
