I’ll begin this month by highlighting one of your club’s most valuable assets, the flying field. The value of your club’s FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) is truly priceless. This designation enables your club members to fly safely and legally within the National Airspace System and be exempt from Remote ID, which is mandated by the FAA.
FRIA status is not just a regulatory benefit; it’s also a mark of responsible and lawful participation in model aviation. Given the significance of this designation, it is worthwhile to inform the public about your club’s approved status. One effective way to do this is by installing a sign at your flying field.
For less than $100, clubs such as the Flying Wing Nutz in St. Marys, West Virginia, and the Mountaineer RC Club near Tornado, West Virginia, have commissioned department of highway-quality, sturdy metal signs for their field entrances, clearly stating that the locations are FAA-approved model flying fields. When visitors see these signs, it creates a positive impression, demonstrating that the individuals who are flying are doing so legally and take their model aviation operations seriously.
If you’re interested in obtaining a similar sign for your club, please reach out and I will provide information on where to purchase one.
Aviation Fun at the Ona RC Club:I received the following event information from Jason Flowers, the vice president (VP) of the Ona RC Club in Ona, West Virginia.
The Ona RC Club, in partnership with local EAA Chapter 644 and its Young Eagles program, offered local kids a full day of aviation fun.
The day started off with each kid receiving a ride in a full-scale airplane flown by the EAA pilot volunteers. Once they returned, they were met in the hangar with static displays and our club members, who showed off and answered any questions about the RC hobby.
Next, they were all invited to our field, where we had several members who offered airplanes for buddy-boxing. We ended up getting about 20 kids up in the air. In addition, our members flew some demonstration flights that included large aerobatic airplanes and helicopters.
This is an annual event that seems to be growing year over year, and we’ll plan on doing this again next year.
Thank you, Jason, for your report. As the District III VP, I have seen that the greatest success in getting young people interested in model aviation is from teaming up with EAA chapters and the Civil Air Patrol. Anyone who attends these events already has an interest in aviation, and they want to learn more about it.
Until next month,stay safe and fly safe.
