District II—New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
Tel.: (518) 356-2057
www.amadistrict-ii.org
www.facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
Club officers and members often ask me about funding assistance for their flying sites. As a result of their inquiries, many District II clubs have successfully applied for an AMA Flying Site Development and Improvement grant. Although this is encouraging, too many AMA clubs do not apply for these funds. In fact, almost every application is awarded something. Unsuccessful applications are generally the result of incomplete information or requests that fall outside of the program’s guidelines.
This grant helps provide funding for AMA chartered clubs that are making improvements to their AMA chartered flying sites. Project costs can include amounts spent since the previous year’s application cutoff date of March 1, or projected work for the current 12-month cycle. This provides for a potential 24-month window, within which past or future projects might qualify for a grant.
It is relatively easy to apply for this grant. It must be for improvements to AMA chartered flying sites and not related to facility maintenance or operating costs. No club can receive a second grant within a three-year period. Receipts or written estimates must support the amount requested in the grant application.
Throughout the years, many District II clubs have benefited from AMA Flying Site Development and Improvement grants. Grant projects have ranged from safety fences, mower purchases, drainage work, grass seeding, GeoTex and paved runways, equipment rentals, field storage sheds and buildings, and other field improvements.
As an important reminder, purchasing lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) qualifies for these grants. District II’s Syracuse Thunderbirds Aero Radio Society was the first club to purchase an AED through the program.
Another AMA program that is important to clubs is Take off And Grow (TAG). TAG is intended to help clubs introduce model aviation to friends, neighbors, and communities, while receiving local recognition and financial benefits in return.
Hosting a TAG Model Aviation Day is a great way to reach out to your community and give it a taste of the family-oriented recreational activity that we all enjoy. Additionally, you’ll be creating positive relationships with your neighbors that often help in acquiring or keeping flying sites.
Developed to encourage our members and clubs to promote modeling as a positive recreational activity to those in their communities, TAG was the first of several programs implemented by AMA in 2007. Primarily intended to welcome and introduce the public to our hobby, TAG provides a one-day, extensive introduction of model aviation with the goal of drawing new people into our hobby. TAG grant applications must be postmarked by February 1 of each year.
Frank Dalfonso (C), RC Pulsars past president, receiving the club’s TAG grant from Gary Fitch (L) and Eric Williams.
The Bergen County Silent Fliers are involved TAG recipients.
AMA wants to provide local clubs with tools that they need to help ensure their success and the popularity of our hobby. AMA’s Club Recognition and Reward Program provides up to $175 per year for public relations coverage and/or promotion of model aviation. This program helps your club build its membership and inspire others, including youth, in your community. AMA’s Club Recognition and Reward Program also offers clubs an incentive for positive local media coverage for a club event, public service, club announcement, or other activities.
I encourage you to take advantage of AMA’s various programs by visiting: www.modelaircraft.org/membership/overview.aspx.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
