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Victor Valley RC Flyers

On behalf of the AMA, the Victor Valley RC Flyers have been awarded a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $565.98. The Victor Valley RC Flyers are located in the High Desert of Southern California. The club has been an AMA Chartered Club for 13 years (since 2002). The Victory Valley RC Flyers have an average number of 72 members per year. Club members fly radio controlled fixed and rotary wing aircraft, gliders, and helicopters. The club’s flying site features a 50’ by 550’ asphalt runway, three sun shades, picnic tables, and relief facilities. The club underwent a construction project to improve their site. The club installed a new petromat to repair and replace the existing rotting material, a new sign was installed at the field entry due to severe weather damage, and finally the onsite weather station was replaced due to above average winds. The new improvements will allow the club to fly, have fun, and enjoy their RC model planes. Click here to learn more about the Victor Valley RC Flyers.

United Flying Organization

The Academy of Model Aeronautics would like to congratulate the United Flying Organization for being awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $328.05. The club is located in Highland, MI. The United Flying Organization has been an AMA Chartered Club for more 20 years. The club may be small, but the members share a big passion for RC flying. The club’s flying site is leased from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and as a part of renewing their lease, the club agreed to build a handicap-accessible outhouse at the flying site. With this new addition, the flying site became accessible to many more members of the community. The total cost of the project was $3,280.46. Click here for more information on the United Flying Organization.

Tri-County Eagles

The Academy of Model Aeronautics would like to congratulate the Tri-County Eagles for being awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $467.50. Located in Mahopac, NY, the Tri-County Eagles have been an AMA Chartered Club for approximately 30 years. The Tri-County Eagles describe themselves as a relaxed group of RC pilots just out to have a fun, safe time flying aircraft with friends. The club has hosted several training events for Cub Scout groups and Civil Air patrol cadets to introduce them to model flying. The club made new upgrades last year such as a new flight line fence, plane restraints, and a wind sock, among others. They are now looking to focus on the damages to their runway. The runway has become uneven and will require special equipment to be repaired properly. The total cost to fix the runway was $4,675.00. Look here for more information on the Tri-County Eagles.

Texas City Radio Control Club

On behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the Texas City Radio Control Club has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $950.00. Established in 1973, the Texas City Radio Control Club has been an AMA Chartered Club for 41 years. The club primarily consists of radio control aircraft members plus a few helicopter enthusiasts. The club is located in League City, TX and always welcomes visitors to check out the club. To improve their flying site, the club built a 19’ x 55’ shaded area for large gas planes to be assembled and disassembled. This was a high priority for the club as they previously did not have a shaded area. This shaded area will help to drastically improve the flying site and will hopefully attract new members to the Texas City Radio Control Club. Click here to check out the website for the Texas City Radio Control Club.

Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society

The Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $119.90 on behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. The Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society has been an AMA Chartered Club for approximately 40 years. The club works to promote the design, construction, and organized flying of radio control aircraft. The STARS have almost 100 members who enjoy flying off the club’s nearly 42 acres of grass runways. The STARS host several annual events that have more than 500 people in attendance. The club has several elderly members with heart problems and they have even lost members due to heart attacks. The club is looking to purchase an AED Device for the safety of their members and guests. Look here to check out the Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society’s website.

Sod Busters R/C Club

The AMA would like to congratulate the Sod Busters RC Club for being awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $316.00. The Sioux Falls Sod Busters RC Club has been an AMA Chartered Club for 33 years. The club was founded in 1981 by Frank Zocco, who owned a hobby shop in Tea, SD. He paired up with other founding members to create what is known as today as the Sod Busters. The club has hosted an annual RC auction for more than 20 years. They also host an annual fun fly event. The club is looking to install a Geotextile US 230 runway mat. This mat will accommodate the many pilots who fly smaller electric aircraft. The club hopes to benefit from this project by enticing more people to fly at their field rather than at local city parks. Club members will provide 100% of the manual labor and the total cost of the project was $3,160.00. Click here for more information on the Sod Busters.

Shreveport Area Radio Kontrol Society – SHARKS

The Shreveport Area Radio Kontrol Society has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $1,719.80 on behalf of the AMA. Located in Louisiana, the SHARKS have been an AMA Chartered Club for more than 30 years. The club’s flying site is located at the Northridge Air Park and has a 600 x 40 foot paved runway and covered pits. The SHARKS host meeting, assess dues, elect officers, and participate in group activities for the promotion and enjoyment of RC aircraft building and flying. The SHARKS are always looking to increase their membership with individuals who share their passion for model aviation. The club underwent a construction project to finish the interior of the building used for seminars on building projects, fundraising events for local charities, and where board meetings and other club events are located. Club members of the SHARKS provided manual labor to help complete the project. Click here for more information on the SHARKS.

Santa Fe Dam Radio Control Modelers

The Santa Fe Dam Radio Control Modelers have been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $650.00. The Santa Fe Dam Radio Modelers, formerly known as the Sierra Madre Radio Control Modelers, have been an AMA Chartered Club for more than 30 years. The club is located in Los Angeles County, California. Club members fly all types of model aircraft from glow (nitro) engines to slow stick aircraft to scale model fighters to giant scale aerobatic aircraft. The Santa Fe Dam Radio Control Modelers host monthly meetings, Float Fly events at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Center, Fly-Ins, barbecues, swap meets, and provided educational outreach to community schools and organizations. The club applied for this grant because their runway is more than 30 years old and was in dire need for repairs. There were large cracks in the asphalt and these had to be filled by a contractor. This is the club’s first time applying for this grant as they have previously used funds provided by club membership. The total cost of this construction project was $6,500.00. Before photo: After photo: Click here for more information on the Santa Fe Dam Radio Control Modelers.

Rocky Mountain Flying Machine

The Rocky Mountain Flying Machine has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $2,117.07 on behalf of the AMA. The club has been an AMA Chartered Club since February 24, 1986 and is located in Albuquerque, NM. The mission of the RMFM is to promote the friendly exchange of information and experience between model aviation modelers and to develop model aviation as a recognized sport and a worthwhile recreational activity. The club places high values on construction and safe operation of model aircraft, the diversity of modeling interests, individual ability and willingness to share expertise, and having an environment that encourages participation, fair play and friendly competition. The Henry Wood Memorial Field is the flying site for the 38 members of the Rocky Mountain Flying Machine. The club is unable to plan and host events at their field because of the weather factor. If there is inclement weather the club has to move to a different location that is also used by other community groups. Full access to their field will allow growth for the RMFM. The club has already added the following improvements: shade structures, assy tables and starting stands, a weather station, and a new N-5 runway. Click here for more information on the Rocky Mountain Flying Machine.

Rochester Aero Modeling Society

The Rochester Aero Modeling Society has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $925.09. Located in Webster, NY, the Rochester Aero Modeling Society has been an AMA chartered club for 43 years. The RAMS sponsor two annual weekend flying events each year at their field. The club takes time to show the community what they’re about and works to include new members in the hobby. The RAMS underwent this construction project because their driveway and parking lot had significant drainage problems that caused gullies in each area. The club built a passable roadway to create access to the site. While this is used more by club members, it is also important for when the RAMS host their annual Open House and the N.E. Helicopter Jamboree. The construction project had a total cost of $9,250.85. Click here to check out the website for the Rochester Aero Modeling Society.