The loss of hobby shops got me to thinking that if clubs have the room and are are set up with parts available - maybe a limit of parts or maybe more than just fuel,starters,battery,oil and things that support the field are in stock. Many people that need to go get something will not need to leave to get items that they need to keep flying. I was also starting to think about plane kits for walk- ins. Something like a mini hobby store, not for profit as much as support for the hobby. Use the hobby forums to show what parts can be at each field ect.

Parts of the topic from the AMA site

With the overseas market the way it is, having a store" Freight Container with shelves" set up to sell parts.
If it is "non- profit", maybe the AMA can help by purchasing the parts at cost plus shipping and handling fees.
When shows are going on, maybe adding plane kits, batterys ect to the ads for the event.

Having parts " plane sizes" per field could be the best way to keep members stocked as stores are getting thin.
Many of the guys I talk to don't use the internet, dont like driving 2 hours to see whats at the shops (that are still open) and they don't see anything they like. Maybe it will be helpful to ask the shops that are still holding on to talk to the clubs about the supplies they can move a month and see if it can work.
This whole thing just stuck in my head, after my local shop just closed and it got me thinking.
How many of us get to the field and forgot something. or loose a glow plug on the first flight?
This is just something to think about and kick around.</p>

Hobby shops in the area.. you may be in the best place to see if this will work. something like a snap on truck going from shop to shop. talk to the club and see when they will have an event. see if the event is electic or fuel. bring a parts list that can support the even + a few toys for the kids. add what you think is ok for markup for dragging it to the field and leave it with the day.
If someone in the club can look after the stock leave it with them. it adds trust.
at the end of the day the fuel they used, starter thats not doing very good ect ect.
The week I was at my field having a very bad day had any 50 cc enginge I would have bin very happy to pay him.
This needs a lot of thinking but it can fit in with just about any field. knowing we have a stock of fuel at the field we can get when we get there removes a trip and the cost of fuel for just picking up small needed things.
be the vender at the field.
if you have seen a fireworks stand made from a container thats 1 way to try this.
Load the box at your shop, us a roll back to take it to the field and set up.</p>

Anything you can do with a house you can do with a container.
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If you have a flea market in your area on weekends maybe this will help.
I'll tell you the short story.
I put a very big plane at a vender at a local flea market that rents a box from me. not to sell the plane but just to see how many would stop to ask him about it.
I was not ready to do anything at that point so I ask him just to say the guy building them may bring more to me if it looks like they will sell. he had good number show up to ask about them every weekend.
selling at the flea market is pointless but the number of new guys that the first group brought to see the planes was unreal and kept growing till he put it away.
I am thinking this was a good test for the point of talking. maybe this is a good starting point to get more trafic to your shop. if you have the time you can also tell the guys at the flea market to tell anyone looking at your product that you will be at the field later that same day and drop in on the weekends or what day you can do it to help support the field.
I do understand the "private field" thinking when the guys that fly there dont like the idea but if you are just sitting at the field start talking. see if they need anything. let them know you can bring things to the field if it will help them. do what you got to do to be that guy that will help them and let it build.
I know its a pain but its how the field chat get started. from my test at the flea market it will only take 3 or 4 weeks to have everyone talking. show up at the field and just see if it will grow.
Getting people from the flea market to go to the airfield or your shop may show if this will work for you.
This is also what I was thinking to promote a show. if just one boy scout leader starts talking I can tell you, they can run you over with moms/dads and kids if they like what they see.
Trout

ps I may not have the time to stay withthis thread as time is getting thin.</p>