improvement

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.

Paris Bridge Road RC Aeromodelers

The Paris Bridge Road RC Aeromodelers have been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $73.69 on behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Located in South Carolina, the Paris Bridge Road RC Aeromodelers have only been an AMA Chartered Club for two months, but have already been working hard to establish and improve their flying site. Members of a previous club started the Paris Bridge Road RC Aeromodelers to stay updated with AMA and the hobby of model flying. They found the perfect flying spot, cleared the field, scraped out a runway, and sowed grass seed. The club is now happily flying at this new site. The club is optimistic and expects great things will happen soon.

Otis Model Aero Club

The Otis Model Aero Club has been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $957.10. The Otis Model Aero Club was formed in Cape Cod around 50 years ago to promote the enjoyment of flying RC aircraft. The club has over 137 members has hosts several special events every year during the flying season. The OMAC had to build a new flying area to apply with the DF&G guidelines. The old site required the club to share the facility with bikers, horseback riders, do walkers, and wildlife enthusiasts. With the construction of the new site, the facility will be exclusively used for flying model aircraft. The total cost of the construction project was $9,467.77. Click here to check out the website for the Otis Model Aero Club.

Northern Hills R/C Flyers

The Northern Hills R/C Flyers have been awarded with a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $1,603.50. The Northern Hills R/C Flyers is located in South Dakota. The club has been an AMA Chartered Club since 1995. The club is always looking to add new members who share their passion for model aircraft. The Northern Hills R/C Flyers are very involved with Boy Scout troops in their community and frequently invite different organizations to come and learn about the model aviation hobby. The club leases their flying site from the City of Spearfish and the city is planning to expand the existing wastewater plant. This provides an issue for the club because of the state law on exposure to the byproduct. The city is offering the club a different plot of land but they need assistance with the development.

Northern Connecticut RC Club

Located in Enfield, CT, The Northern Connecticut RC Club received a Flying Site Development Improvement Grant worth $1,011.52. The NCRCC formed as an AMA Club in 1962 with 35 members and currently have 176 members. The club is constantly working to improve their flying site to gain the attention of younger aeromodelers. The NCRCC hosts six major AMA sanctioned events each year and donates funds to the Wounded Warrior Project, Wishes on Wheels, and more. The NCRCC’s most recent project is to build a Pavilion. The club wants to build this to ensure the club’s legacy by attracting new, younger members, and ensuring their existing membership. The new Pavilion will provide a weather-protected environment for club members and their family members, and spectators and guests. The total cost of the project submitted for this grant was $10,115.20. Click here to check out the Northern Connecticut RC Club’s website.