Tips for Finding a New RC Flying Field

Finding a New RC Flying Field

My local RC flying club has been at the same field for over 35 years. A recent consulting group for the city decided the club needed to move due to an unfortunate oversight in their data collection. It’s hard to fight bad data. This club, like many others, had been in the same location for so long that no one really knew how to go about finding a new RC flying field. If you want to form a new RC air club or your existing club has been asked to move, the following ideas on how to find a new RC flying field may help you.

Get in touch with your AMA representative

Contacting the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) should be the first thing you do for a new or existing club. Your region will have a representative and they are full of information and know how to access resources that will help you on your journey to finding a new RC flying field to call home. From charter information to proof of insurance for members, you’ll find a lot of what you need through the AMA. Start with your AMA district to narrow it down to your regional representative or look through the AMA directory and reach out to someone for support.

Gather proof of insurance and other documents in one place

Before you start scouting for a new location, start gathering documents that any site owner would want to see. Proof of insurance was the most important document my local club used with every site they spoke to. They also showed information about their club charter, non-profit status, membership counts, and some general information about the size of the hobby, anticipated flying schedule, and safety procedures to mitigate risks (like the use of sand buckets and AVD extinguishers on site). Having everything in a shareable cloud folder was very helpful when sending emails to prospective site owners and agencies.

Scout locations and identify ownership

Think about the size of flat land you’ll need for an airstrip plus the flight box in the airspace around it. Also consider noise levels for any surrounding businesses or homes. You may need to limit your RC air club to electric-only motors if you’re in a congested area. Then pull out a map!

There are a few paid apps that let you look at land and parcel information, or you could start with Google Maps and review your ideas with the city to find out if the locations you are thinking about are within their jurisdiction. The office of the County Registrar may have parcel information for you online, too.

They started looking around city areas that were not likely to be used, like around the dump, behind parks, and along the riverbed. Along the freeway was another option that was frequently suggested, but those areas were always too close to the freeway to establish a safe flight box.

Build connections

My local RC flying club started with city-owned land in their search for a new home as they had previously been on city property. This doesn’t mean you have to go that route, but everyone has to start somewhere. The city’s manager and assistant manager were some of the contacts the club made. They were able to direct the club to other departments when needed. You could also talk to the department of parks and recreation. This department is always interested in more ways to bring people together recreationally and an RC airfield would be a way to do that.

Line up some location ideas, gather your documents, and arrange a meeting with your city’s representative(s) in person to help establish a good relationship. If you’re looking to establish a new RC flying club, you’ll want to share information with them about the hobby in general (look through some of the flyers and brochures the AMA already has) and the community’s desire for more outdoor activities. If you’re new, you’ll essentially be selling them on the idea of how much fun the RC hobby is. They may have never seen it before.

Private land for an RC airfield

Getting permission to use city land can take a long time and involve a lot of red tape. Don’t forget to look at private land, too. The OnX phone app was helpful in this, although information wasn’t always up-to-date. Cattle ranches tend to be large and flat; air museums also tend to have a lot of flat land around them. A nearby club uses property owned by a university. Another club in the region uses property owned by a service organization (think about Elks or Moose clubs). Go on social media and see where other clubs meet to get more ideas. My local club started looking at private airstrips around farms/ranches and contacted the property owners. An existing airstrip would remove the need to fund paving one. They also just started talking to people in the community about needing a new home to help reach more private land holders. Ultimately, they found a ranch owner with a private airstrip in a very remote area who has been beyond excited to have them. If you do use private land, keep in mind the neighbors who may be under your flight box.

Establishing permission

Getting a ‘yes’ from a property owner or manager is just one step in the process of establishing a new RC flying field. Go back to your AMA representative for more help if you can, or talk to your club officers about drafting an agreement with the property owner or even obtain a permit if it is government land. Zoning may come into play, and you might need to talk to a county office about local ordinances.

Research the airspace, too. Uncontrolled (Class G) airspace will be the easiest to work with. Controlled airspace, like the area around an airport, will need to have authorization from the FAA.

Apply for your club’s FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) status with the FAA (to remove the need for a Remote ID module in each aircraft when flying) and also work out how high you want your airspace ceiling around the field to be. Normal (unrestricted airspace) RC airfield operation is expected to be under 400 feet AGL (above ground level). You’ll need to contact the FAA for an altitude waiver for anything higher.

Respect your new home

You’ve got documents tucked safely away and the whole club knows the address of the new flying field, but don’t stop there. Have a meeting and make sure everyone in the club knows the rules about driving speeds, gate codes, hours available for flying, and noise conditions (if gas engines are even allowed). Then find ways to be a good partner with the property owner: initiate club clean-up days where the club comes early and removes weeds and debris around the field, or pay for the portable restroom to be extra clean. Having a shed, tables, and chairs might be something you’ll be able to add to your new RC flying field, but continue to discuss and ask permission for things before you add them. You might be able to hold a fundraiser for some shade structures or fresh pavement. If you can better your flying field in a way that benefits the property owner, they’ll be glad to keep you.