editorial ...

by Ron Roberts       

Permit me to write a few words that reflect on Brad's article on Page 1:

Late in 2005, when Brad was asked by, then president, Danny DeWitt to "take over" as President of the Flightmasters Model Aircraft Club, his very first words to the members present at the November 2005 meeting were, "Fellas, we're gonna have fun!"

You see, in the few years just prior to 2005, the club had stopped having fun!   It HAD had fun in earlier years, but because of politics and some hard feelings between the officers (and membership), as well as some arguments that deeply hurt several folks and some bad decisions made by some of the officers, it had stopped having fun.  The membership was un-enthused, dis-spirited, unhappy and discourged.  The Flightmasters Model Aircraft Club, in 2005, was on the verge of a stall!  Without proper input it could very easily spin into the ground and be destroyed.

Early 2006 was an "adjustment period". As with any orginazation, after new officers are elected, there is always a period of "adjustment", and a "getting to know each other".   At the beginning of that year many of the members were not too enthused about working together and there was little cooperation.  It was at this point that a serious and momentous event took place. During the club meeting it was determined by most of those present, that in order to return the club to the spirit of "having fun", politics had to end!    That was a hard and delicate decision, but once made, things began to change.

Members did begin to have fun. And they encouraged others to come out and see the difference.  Members started to enjoy talking to each other again, ribbing (good naturedly) each other again, and we began to get new members who enjoyed the hobby as much as we did. By the summer of 2006 most all of us were "having fun", getting along with each other and cooperating with each other again!   Things were going so well, that the club decided to host a "Jumbo Fly-In" for November of 2006.  In spite of the cold weather it was a huge success!

Now let me get to the actual point:

We had another "Jumbo Fly-In" on Memorial Day, this past May of 2007, and the attendance was outstanding!  Both in the quality of flying as well as the number of pilots.   Those who came, and these are nationally known pilots, had fun! So much fun that in November, even though we did not have anything scheduled, THEY CALLED US to have another fly-in this year!

Yes, those same outstanding and well known pilots contacted OUR club officers with a desire to come back to Flightmasters field for one last FUN, Fly-In before winter set in!  And do you know what?   We had it, with only a week's notice and they came!    And they had FUN!    That "last ditch, unplanned fly-in" just may have been the very best we have ever had!  Most who attended, if not all, made it known that they were looking forward to 2008!

Here is the point:   The club's officers did not make this happen, the MEMBERSHIP DID!  A membership that is working together, enjoying our hobby and helping each other.  Folks, the Fort Smith Flightmasters can become even better!  We have one of, if not the best, grass flying site in the South!  There is, literally, no limit to what we can accomplish, there is no limit to the fun and enjoyment that we can have, and there is no limit to what we can do for this hobby ... except OURSELVES!

The spirit is back!   Catch it! ...  Let's ALL pitch in and make 2008, and each year after that, the best year yet!