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flying site
AMA Flying Site Improvement Grant Helps Clubs Build Stronger
Whether the project is big or small, AMA supports its clubs.
In 2021, AMA and the AMA Foundation provided $53,497.87 in Flying Site Improvement Grant to 34 clubs across the county, helping them make improvements to their flying sites.
The LoveAir RC Club was one club who received a Flying Site Improvement Grant this year. Read below to learn more about how AMA's grant assisted their improvement efforts.
Reflections from an FSIG recipient
The LoveAir RC Club was founded in 1988 with the purpose to serve northern Colorado as a resource for RC Aeromodeling. Our current site provides an outstanding facility which includes an 800-foot asphalt runway that is a favorite of many RC pilots around Colorado and many other states. We conduct three AMA sanctioned events every year and have many pilots flying at our site whenever the weather is good. So, because of the importance of safety, we felt the need to upgrade our old pilot safety fence.
Figure 1 below shows our old fence. It was about 32 inches high and was designed and installed before the time of 2.4 GHz radios, 50cc and up gas engines, and larger RC airframes. It worked fine for the smaller airplanes of the time, but the modern heavier and higher power planes including jets were just too much for the old fence, so we decided to install a new stronger fence. We included this in our long-term financial plan and saved up funds to help finance the new fence project. WE included in our plan applying for an AMA FSIG and were very appreciative to be selected for a grant that helps us to upgrade the safety of RC flying activities at our Flying Site - Drake Field, Ault, Colorado.
The Project
Figure 2 below shows the crew of club volunteers who removed the old fence. They did this on the second day of the project. On the first day of the project, the fence contractor installed the vertical posts for the new fence in concrete about a foot away from the old fence. The volunteer crew was able to remove the old fence on the second day early in the morning in about an hour. Our club routinely asks for volunteers to help with clean-up and improvement projects at our field. We consistently have great success with doing many of our projects with club volunteers.
Figure 3 below shows the volunteer crew working to remove the old fence.
Figure 4 below shows a contractor worker in the morning of the second day beginning to assemble the top rail of the new steel fence.
Figure 5 below shows the completed new safety fence on May 5th. It is 42 inches high with chain link mesh. It is higher and very much stronger. We are very happy with it.
Fred W. Smith, Treasurer of LoveAir RC Club
The AMA Foundation relies on your donations to continue providing funding to club sites in need of improvements. Donate today to the Programs Fund.
Learn more about the Flying Site Improvement Grant.
2021 Grants Awarded!
A total of $65,431.12 has been awarded in grants.
Congratulations to the 2021 recipients of the Flying Site Improvement Grant and the Take Off and Grow Grant.
Flying Site Improvement Grant (FSIG)
34 clubs were awarded Flying Site Improvement Grants in 2021! AMA established the Flying Site Improvement Grant program to invest in the continued improvement and growth of AMA chartered clubs and fields. Grant funding is provided through an allocation of membership dues each year as well as from funding from the AMA Foundation. These clubs are making a difference in the model aviation community, and the communities in which they operate. This year, $53,497.87 was awarded.
Fairborn Flying Aces RC Club
Kent County Aeromodelers Inc.
LoveAir RC Club
Corsair Model Aircraft Club
Aero Radio Club of Syracuse (ARCS)
Las Vegas Soaring Club
Boerne Area Model Society (BAMS)
R I Aeromodelers
River City Radio Controllers
Greater Southwest Aeromodelers
Tulip City Air Force Model Airplane Club
York County Flyers
Clovis Area Modelers
Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club
Casper Airmodelers Association
Texoma RC Modelers
Johnston County Aeromodeling Club (JCAC)
Fox Valley Aero Club
Millersburg R/C Modelers
Desert Eagles Model Airplane Flying Club
Catalina RC Modelers, Inc.
Blennerhassett Area RC
Susquehanna Valley Modelers
Raleigh Durham Radio Control Club
Kansas City Radio Control Club
Northern VA RC Club Inc.
Wingbusters Model Aircraft Club
Old Town Valley Flyers RC Club
Southeast Missouri Modelers Association
South Davis Modelers
American Turf Flyers and Sportman's Club, Inc.
Snohomish Radio Aero Club
Flying Pilgrims
Midwest Air Wing R/C Club
$581.25
$843.48
$962.00
$2,794.65
$1,010.34
$1,270.12
$1,386.58
$1,061.73
$1,101.17
$1,066.72
$3,000.00
$494.53
$3,000.00
$1,276.67
$436.06
$902.00
$628.45
$170.00
$3,000.00
$443.75
$3,000.00
$293.06
$1,346.17
$3,000.00
$437.34
$1,324.23
$3,000.00
$1,479.00
$2,852.81
$3,000.00
$344.66
$3,000.00
$3,000.00
$1,991.10
Take Off and Grow (TAG) Grant
14 clubs were awarded Take Off and Grow Grants in 2021! AMA Awards up to $1,000.00 to clubs that implement a Take Off and Grow (TAG) program in the local communities. TAG programs provide newcomers to model aviation an opportunity to learn about the hobby as well as practice flying model aircraft with experienced club members. TAG grants are awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of AMA members and AMA Foundation donors across the country. This year, $11,933.25 was awarded.
Flying Knights MAC
Flying WingNutz of WV
Colonel's Flyin' Aces
Seminole RC Club
Central Alabama Sport Flyers
Huntington County Modelers
Anderson Preparatory Academy
Indianapolis Radio Control Modelers Club
Paducah Aeromodelers
Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron
Casper Airmodelers Association
Tucson RC Club
Casa Grande RC Flyers
Xaviators
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
$723.25
$400.00
$1,000.00
$910.00
$1,000.00
$500.00
$500.00
$900.00
$1,000.00
$1,000.00
Lone Tree RC Flyers Receive Disaster Relief Grant
In August of 2020, the Lone Tree RC Flyers' flying site experienced damage due to a Derecho that passed through their area. The wind storm tore up their runway from the right edge up to the center seam. This was previously fastened with 12" staples and roof sealant, but it still wasn't strong enough to withstand the wind. The remaining fabric on the left side of the runway suffered damages as well; patches of tears and holes between the fibers running the length of the runway that were not repairable.
After assessing the damage to the runway and evaluating their budget, the club decided to apply for AMA's Disaster Relief Grant and was awarded the maximum amount of $500 to help rebuild their site. With the grant money, the Lone Tree RC Flyers were able to purchase two 300 foot rools of runway fabric that they will be laying down in the Spring of 2021.
