We'd like to start up a new flying field... can you help?

[Wayne]

I have been talking about this for a while now, time to make it happen. I've been chatting with a few people, and then I realized, I have not shared this here on the forum, so here goes.

We are located in Marin County, California. It is a very nice area just North of San Francisco. Sadly, we do not have a legal flying site in the county for electrics. We do have one AMA listed site, but it is for pure gliders via winch and I don't think it has been active for years as the property was sold at one time and the new owners closed the field, but then later pilots were invited back, but they no longer flew via winch.

You may notice that we do fly and post photos from our local RC club that is located in the neighboring county, but it is a small field for vintage RC aircraft and free flight. The RC field can not accommodate the demand and we would not want to shift the focus of this wonderful club and their field.

So this is all pretty new to me. I have been talking with a few of my local customers and we all agree there should be a large demand for this in our area, it is just a matter of gaining access to a plot of land. We have targeted 2 possible sites for the new field. One is part of an old air force base (Hamilton) that is now city property. The city is working to develop the area for recreation (sports fields) but the corner we like has some old warehouse concrete foundations, and if I know the air force from the cold war era, these foundations maybe over 6 feet deep of hardened concrete. Not cheap to remove. But, they will make for one heck of a runway for park fliers! Center of this picture (the tan field on the right will eventually be sports fields):

I originally had not considered this property until a local suggested it. People have been flying from this site on and off for years when the access gate is left open.

The other site is on some ranch land is the location for the former glider site. This site has tons of potential in terms of air space and few neighbors. It is not near a freeway, but has good access to most of the counties population via a very pretty country drive.

My hope would be to talk to the owners and show them how quiet modern electrics can be. The property is very interested in being a tourist destination and has a picnic grounds and pond setup for this purpose. They are part of the "cheese tour" for the bay area. Think wine tasting, but for cheese.

Should these locations not work out, there are many other possible site locations, just a matter of getting permission.

Regardless of location I am suggesting the new club will have noise limits from the start as I think noise will instantly get any site closed in this county. My other goal is to have a club with minimal dues and a very welcoming experience for all. With free RC flight training and open invites for introductory flights for the public. We have seen good results with this approach in the past and really gets new members to the field.

So for those of you that have done something like this, I would love to hear from you. For those that have not, perhaps this is something you can do in your local area?

Any and all suggestions would be great. I am currently reaching out to the AMA for assistance and building a small core team to help get some meetings planned and scheduled.

 

[thenated0g]

I love that stretch of road by the cheese factory. Every time i drive out to the beach on that road i think of how great of a flying spot it would be.

 

[Wayne]

Lots of possible sites on that road.

 

[thenated0g]

maybe a site with overnight camping????

 

[Wayne]

maybe a site with overnight camping????

One things at a time. LOL

Sean here really wants to do a camping night at our local field. You in?

 

[thenated0g]

Yeah, that would be great. Its a long drive and that would make it easier for sure.

 

[jbblunck]

I'm up in Occidental/Sebastopol area. Nothing easy around here. I fly on a private ranch site operated by a small club in Penngrove, but the winds are flaky and inconsistent. I've been trying to find a decent slope site, but I hear the coastal stuff is all closing out as the authorities bust anyone with an RC plane.

The Slot is a nearly 90 minutes away...

So, where do you all slope fly in Marin & Sonoma? Can you give me an introduction? Private message me if a general post is too public.

 

[Scott Page]

I'm involved (and have been involved) with two clubs that finally obtained relatively permanent fields via association with local park boards. One field is via County Park board and is on a 20 year lease for $1 or some minimal amount. The other field is shorter term lease with the City. Neither field would have been an obvious place - but both were land that the City and County had in holding unused. The County park based club has been gifted thousands of dollars for in kind funding to develop the resource. It now has two paved runways, two plumbed bathrooms, a block building shop. The City based club is an all grass field and there has been a more modest amount of assistance given from the City. In these cases it's important to establish a "partnership" with the park board. Have a member (or members) regularly attend their boring meetings. Make an annual presentation of all the great things you do for education and the community on an annual basis. It's a back scratching fest -- all about public relations. When dealing with park boards keep things such as handicap access and educational uses on the tip of your spear. You want to be seen as good guys rather than good ole' boys.


There is another club nearby that got a deal with the waste disposal company in which they got a field on a closed and reclaimed landfill. The disposal company needed show the property went to good community use so they build a club house, paved the runway, fenced it, installed sprinklers -- etc -- -a total turnkey club field. Really a once in a lifetime opportunity - but this club has maximized their opportunity - even hosting the District XI Jamboree last year.
The problem with private owners is they can be fickle and pull the rug out from under you at any time. I've seen this happen at several locations. I know Wayne knows that we recently lost one of the best slope sites in the western US from exactly this scenario. (The site is Eagle Butte for any slopers interested). The land sold and the new owner (conglomerate) has no interest in even discussing recreational use - and the area we use won't be used for anything as it's simply adjacent to the crop circle.

 

[Wayne]

Good feedback, and your comment about private land owners is a very good point! That really does alter my direction to working with the county and or city to pull this off. Thanks!