[NSRCA-discussion] Full Scale Airport

Thu Jan 17 16:11:55 AKST 2008

Quote.

"It has far more to do with the local volume and the relationship you have
with the local flyers and airport management than it does a cut and dry, do
or don't fly at airports."

Mark,

I agree 100%...Some may recall I was trying to set up a airshow / pattern
contest at our local airport in southern Indiana. Troy Newman was very
supportive and with him committing, I felt I could promote this airshow at
the request of the Mayor and would be an annual hit for an airshow and a
regional contest for D3, D4, and D5.

I thought my relationship was rock solid with the AA (Management). I was the
Local High School Sponsor for their Aviation Club and worked with them to
get interest for their flight school. We had a discussion with the Mayor
that I was very positive.

We'll the relationship wasn't what I thought. A couple of days later, I
called the Mayor and told him I'm getting a lot of support and this will be
an outstanding event. The AA Manager went to the Mayor and told him I wanted
the Airport shut down for this. This was not true and he admitted he lied to
the mayor. I was working with AMA to arrange a meeting on the details when
this happened. The Mayor pulled the plug and never looked back. He only
offered me a semi-pro ballpark (which was nice) but would be something I
couldn't get folks to commit to with the same support.

The key is that the AA Manager has the power to make it or break it. You
need him/her onboard first. I offered $1,000 per day with full scale
aircraft having full right of way with no interference from our activity. We
were to use a taxiway that isn't normally ever used by full scale pilots
(5,000ft runway).

What made it sour grapes for me is that the Mayor searched me out and asked
for my help.

Larry Diamond

  _____  

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.f3a.us
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.f3a.us] On Behalf Of Mark Atwood
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:38 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Full Scale Airport

The piece that's missing in this decision is the activity level and "style"
of the airport.  We held an event at a local municipal airport and it
remained open...But a few things prevailed. A) the traffic was VERY low, and
B) we were able to invite (and had interest from) all of the resident pilots
to come spectate.  There was mutual interest, and there was no antagonism
about us interfering with "their" runway.  Our tone was one of appreciative
guests, and they played the part of willing hosts.  

In a two day event we had 2 full scales land and we stopped both times.  In
one of the two cases, the pilot who intended to stop, refuel and go, chose
to stay the remaining 2.5 hours and watch rather than disrupt the event
again.

It has far more to do with the local volume and the relationship you have
with the local flyers and airport management than it does a cut and dry, do
or don't fly at airports.

-Mark

On 1/17/08 12:22 PM, "J N Hiller" <jnhiller at earthlink.net> wrote:

During the 25+ years I have been competing here in the northwest we have
always had at least one contest held ad an active airport that has very
little traffic. We just land and when the full size aircraft clears the
runway we go back up and pick up where we left off. It happens rarely, kind
of like having a mid-air. I would much rather deal with this than not have
the contest. 
Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.
Jim Hiller

-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]
<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org%5d> On Behalf Of Ed Deaver
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 2:43 AM
To: NSRCA Mailing List
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Full Scale Airport

I have been put in a difficult situation here in Lubbock and am interested
in some of your valued opinions.

Scenario:
Our club field (now) is a small airport in Abernathy, 20 miles North of
Lubbock. The city will not close the airport for model events.  The club may
not support a contest at the city field (not the club "home" field.)

My question is;

How do you feel about competing at a site, requiring you to immediately land
as soon as a full scale plane is on final?

I don't think there is much full scale traffic, but it only takes one
incident/hard landing or interuption to that burner flight you have been
looking for all summer, to make the contest unenjoyable.

Thank you for your input.

Ed

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