REMEMBER my column from a few
months ago in which we discussed the
process of developing a network within
your club? Within the past 60 days I’ve
been fortunate enough to see two examples
of just how well such a network can work.
In the first case, the formation of an
association of clubs helped to create a
situation wherein our sport/hobby was
showcased in front of a very large “live”
crowd for a two-day period.
In the second case, the networking
expertise within a single club led to some
significant newspaper publicity as well as a
nice series of televised “teasers” followed
by a three-minute spot on FOX-10 News in
Phoenix, Arizona.
Approximately two years ago I received a
telephone call from Joe Martin in Ventura
County, California. Joe is a member of the
Conejo Valley Flyers, and was interested in
trying to form an association of clubs in
order to deal more effectively with the
county Parks and Recreation Department.
After a few meetings with Parks and
Recreation people and meetings among the
various clubs in the area, the Ventura
County Regional Model Aeronautics
Association (VCRMAA) was formed. Joe
Martin served as its first president.
Fast-forward to July of this year. I
received a call from an employee of the
Sugarman Communications, a publicrelations
firm handling the Grand Opening
of Playa Vista, a large residential
development being built on the old Howard
Hughes airport property in Santa Monica.
The question she had was whether AMA
could put together a model aviation flying
event to be staged during the grand opening
weekend. The idea was to highlight the
aviation heritage associated with this
historic site.
After a visit to the site and meetings
with the appropriate Playa Vista officials, a
tentative flying activity was added to the
calendar of events for the Grand Opening.
As is sometimes the case, construction
on the site proceeded at a faster pace than
had been anticipated. As the event grew
near, the area we had chosen for the flight
demonstration started to look suspiciously
like a group of new housing units!
This called for a very short-fused switch
to Plan B. After a single telephone call I
was able to enlist the whole-hearted support
of Joe and the VCRMAA. With no more
than a few days notice, Joe visited Playa
Vista, met with the local officials, and was
able to set up a static display at a hightraffic
area in the complex.
For the two-day event, we had a great
display of Scale model aircraft from the
Hughes era as well as some examples of
trainer-type aircraft. Members of the
various clubs comprising the VCRMAA did
a great public-relations job for AMA. UHaul
gave VCRMAA a good rate on a van
we used to transport the aircraft, and Rich
Hanson, vice president from District X, was
gracious enough to cover the U-Haul costs.
A static display ... so what, you say?
Here’s what: during the open house, I was
privileged to meet Steve Soboroff,
president of Playa Vista. It seems that the
lead architect on the project, Edwin
Schlossberg of the firm ESI, had included
an aviation park in his drawings.
Steve asked if I could meet with him
and Ed for lunch and discuss the possibility
of long-term model aviation activities on
the development, in keeping with the
historical aviation heritage of the property.
During the luncheon meeting it was
determined that electric-powered or handlaunched
model aviation activities would be
a great fit with the “open space” policies of
the development. Perhaps two sites would
be needed ...
In addition, I was treated to a tour of the
old hangar in which the Spruce Goose was
housed. The purpose was to determine
whether this venue would be suitable for a
long-term indoor flying site, perhaps even
hosting large AMA-sanctioned events.
Wow! This was a large residential
development asking for model aviation as
an educational and recreational activity on
site. A win for Playa Vista, its residents,
and friends, and a win for model aviation!
My sense is that the quick response from
the VCRMAA was the key to getting the
Playa Vista folks to see the possibilities for
a creative recreational activity with
historical significance on the site.
Thanks to VCRMAA president Joe
Martin, Andrew Carlson, and Mike
Ambarian of the Ventura Comets, Wesley
Minear Sr. of the Conejo Valley Flyers,
Rich Cox of the Camarillo Condors, and
Rudy Bustamante of the Valley Circle
Burners.
The second case involves the Sun Lakes
Model Airplane Club in Arizona. In great
“use the available resources” style, member
Greg Coomans talked to his next-door
neighbor, a television news producer for
FOX-10 in Phoenix, about an upcoming
Open House/Fun Fly the club was planning.
Greg’s boundless enthusiasm got the
producer thinking, and before long, the
producer had scheduled an early morning
“shoot” at the club field to hype the funfly.
A few quick E-mails got the members
in motion. As the news van rolled into the
field parking area, there were 20 or more
models lined up, a large number of
members, and a few airplanes in the air.
For the next hour the club got some
invaluable publicity in the form of a few
10- or 20-second “teasers,” followed by a
full three-minute feature on the upcoming
event.
Club president Tom Tilley handled the
live interview with his customary aplomb,
answering questions from FOX-10
weatherman John Carroll. A little history
of the club and a lot of information about
the open house got out to the public that
morning.
The result was great attendance at the
best open-house event anyone in the club
could remember.
More than 50 kids of all ages got to fly
using the buddy box under the watchful
eyes of club instructors. There was an
absolute feast provided to attendees by the
club—at no cost to the guests, and there
were some nice demonstration flights to
help pique the interest of the spectators.
While all of this was going on, the club
fun-fly was taking place as well. Good
food, terrific demonstrations, and a little
nose-to-nose competition made for a great
day at the model airfield.
February 2004 167
Flying Site Assistance
Wes De Cou
Coordinator,
Western Region
Districts VII-XI
Voice: (480) 460-9466
Cell: (480) 296-9515
Fax: (480) 460-9434
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.
Phoenix AZ 85045
E-mail: wesdecou@cox.net
Joe Beshar, Coordinator,
Eastern Region, Districts I-VI
198 Merritt Dr., Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281; Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: joebeshar@juno.com
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
The idea was to highlight
the aviation heritage
associated with this
historic site.
The result was great
attendance at the best
open-house event anyone
in the club could
remember.
This was a large
residential
development asking for
model aviation as an
educational and
recreational activity
on site!
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