Ron Roberts...
To all Americans the date "September 11, 2001" is an infamous date that will be remembered and recalled with clarity for years to come. The photographs shown on the right headed an article appearing in a major newspaper on the first anniversary of the twin towers being destroyed. That article was entitled, "What A Difference A Day Makes!".
I visited New York not long after 9/11/01, and saw the site where the "Twin Towers" once stood. I have even stood in almost the very spot from which these photos were taken and I want you to know it was a very moving experience! "What A Difference A Day Makes!" That certainly is a true statement whether we are talking about this incident or any one of many others.
So... What does 9/11 have to do with the Flightmasters Model Airplane Club, and why have I entitled this note, "September 11, 2010"? Read on...
As you know, we are presently in negotiations with the "Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority" to acquire more than thirty acres of land for a new flying field. If this works out, we will also have the "overfly" rights to an additional 60 or more acres of "Wetland" and forrested river bottom land. And while this has been a rather long process, I believe we are nearing the point where we will soon have the deed in hand.
Mr. Ivy Owen believes the formal presentation to the members of the Board of Directors of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority will be scheduled for the third Thursday in September of this year. Prior to that meeting Mr. Owen has requested that we put on a "Club Demonstration" for the members of that board as well as the officials of the city of Barling, Chaffee Crossing VIP's and others that have an influence on the outcome of the Board's decision. The date for that demonstration has been set for Saturday, September 11, 2011, and will be to show our "sincerity of interest" and to demonstrate why we need so much land. Those VIP's may attend our club meeting, which will be held at 9:00 AM that morning, and following that, at 10:00 AM, the demonstration to showcase our flying and regard for safety.
I'm going to tell you straight out: Just a few of our members showing up for that meeting and demonstration will not favorably impress the very people who have the ability to grant or deny us the land we need! Folks, we ARE going to lose the present flying field soon and for the first time since this club was organized more than 50 years ago, we have the opportunity to OWN our own flying field! But unless each of us are willing to do our part it could all come crashing down around us. We need ALL of our members to be there, with their airplanes, for that club meeting and flying demonstration to show them that we sincerely want and need the land, and are willing to work toward achieving it! We need to impress them with the fact that we have 54 club members that are able to work together and that we really care about our hobby and the community!
As I said, that meeting and flying demonstration will take place on Saturday, September 11th, 2010. The old Fort Chaffee Parade Ground is being prepared for our use for that demonstration. The map on the left shows the location of the Parade Ground and can be "clicked on" to enlarge in a new window. This is a 100 acre tract of land that will be mowed and tended by the FRCA to make it usable for this demonstration. Please! Mark your calendars. We need all sizes and types of airplanes and helicopters. We need the big 30, 40 - 47% airplanes to show why we need the space and we need the smaller ones to show the fun that can be had on a lot smaller budget. We need both Electric and "Wet" power! We need both airplanes and Helicopters. We are going to have "buddy boxes" on two trainers so the board members and VIP's can get some hands-on flying experience, but more than anything... we need YOU to be there.
Until next time ..... Ron