Happy New Year, District VII. Can you believe we have crossed over into 2025? It seems only yesterday that we were afraid of the Y2K bug shutting down computers. Think of all of the technological advances that have occurred in 25 years and how it has made flying much easier.
One of the advancements that helps us enjoy flying all year round (especially with the cold weather we have here in District VII) is the proliferation of small aircraft that fly well and allow for indoor flying.
Enjoying flying in the warmth of a gym or sports dome with zero wind brings so much fun. Fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones are all able to be flown and we can continue to work on our flying skills and enjoy the camaraderie.
Many clubs host events as often as every week. A few examples in our district are the Capital Area Radio Drone Squadron, hosting events at the Lansing City Arena in Lansing, Michigan; the Hamburg Flyers R/C Club, hosting at the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Michigan; and the Skymasters RC Club of Michigan, hosting gatherings at the United Wholesale Mortgage Sports Complex in Pontiac, Michigan, among many others.
Another advantage of having such wonderful places to fly throughout the winter is that it allows clubs to continue indoors with their training and youth programs. Other clubs in District VII, let’s hear about your winter programs. How are you keeping your fingers nimble in the cold weather?
Other projects that clubs accomplished before the deep cold set in include making improvements to their flying sites. Mike Ast, from the Rock River Aero Modelers Society (RRAMS) in southern Wisconsin, sent details of club field updates.
Exciting things are happening at our field. For two years, we have been working on getting fill dirt to make a steep cliff on the west side of our runway a safe, mowable grade. Because it is so steep, it has been difficult to maintain. In February 2023, we received 125 quad-axle dump truck loads from a local subdivision development. Although, that seems like a lot of fill dirt, we needed more—a lot more.
I sent letters to local excavation contractors asking whether they had clean fill dirt to get rid of. If it made financial sense to them to do it at no cost to us, we would appreciate it. Nine months later, we are in the process of receiving 300 quad-axle dump truck loads of clean fill dirt. In addition, the company will deliver, grade, and lay down an additional grass runway for us at no cost to our club! We will need to arrange for topsoil, finish grading, and grass seed. We figure that we saved roughly $35,000 to $40,000!
Great job, Mike, and all of the members of RRAMS. Mike pointed out some lessons for all of us to learn from: If you don’t ask, you will not receive; if you are patient, the result will exceed your wildest dreams; and it really helps if your club can craft a well-written letter.
Work on forming relationships within your community and see how parties can work together for great results. I look forward to visiting RRAMS next summer to see the improvements.
I am once again looking forward to the Winter Flight Fest held at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. If you have followed my columns in the past, you will have read about this event. It is a great time and having the ability to tour the museum is an added benefit, of course.
This year’s date is February 8, 2025, and I hope to see many District VII members there. For more details, visit EAA’s website at www.eaa.org/eaa-museum/eaa-museum-events/winter-flight-fest.
I’m looking forward to a great 2025 season. Continue to share the passion!