Included in my clubs election ballot was a proposed amendment to our clubs by-laws. This 11th hour proposal has some scary resemblence to past political stuff I dealt with during the Deland reign of terror. I am the last person to want to get invold in club politics, my last bout was not pretty [] (many of you probably know that story quite well). My fear is this is just the tip of the iceberg for "Jet Regulations" within this club and I am looking to you guys for your thoughts.
The Ocala club, one of the nicest fields in the state of florida (and a great group of guys) is located on a 200 acre plot of land with a 600x48' runway. as you can see from the photo, this is a perfect field! Our only restriction is off the east end of the runway approx 1000-1100 ft is a no fly zone due to residential housing. Two aircraft (sport planes) have crashed in this yard and has caused legitimate concearn by the lands owner. We now have pole markers and must remain inside of this airspace.
Please read the boards proposed amendment, I understand the boards concearns and dont want anything to jepordize the loss of the field. I do howerver believe that this is not thoroughly thought out and is more of a "Knee Jerk" reaction. I'm curious what your reactions would be and your suggestions.

Rationale for the Proposed Amendment to the Club By-Laws
The following is proposed to be added to Section 6 -Flying Rules and Regulations, a section of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Ocala Flying Model Club, Revision XVII-December 2000.
"The number of turbine powered aircraft at all scheduled flying contests, events, or gatherings, open to non-member pilots, held at the OFMC field, shall be limited to twenty percent of the total number of model planes participating, each day, When non-OFMC member pilots participate, OFMC member pilots shall receive priority over non-member pilots. "Amendments to the By-Laws require an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the voting members.
This proposed bylaw change would NOT prevent any OFMC member pilot from flying jets at our field or change the presently scheduled flying events held at the field including the participation of a limited number of jet aircraft.

THE 2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A "YES" VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT.

History and rationale for this addition follows: but will not be made part of the By-Laws document A few members expressed an interest, at our July Membership Meeting, in OFMC sponsoring an all jet event at our field. The 2003 Board of Directors studied the field environment, with it's neighbors, boundary restraints, and surrounding woodlands. They also discussed the subject with some experts in turbine engines, turbine engine modes
of failure and RC turbine powered planes. ' Among them are engineers who understand that a plane traveling at 200mph has an impact of four times that of a similar plane traveling at half the speed, i.e., a glow or gas powered plane.
If the engine fuel source is not closed off before an operating turbine powered plane crashes, the fuel often continues to burn.
The Greenway woods and heavy underbrush to the west and north of the OFMC field could be ignited and burn as the result of a jet crash in those areas. Model jet aircraft normally carry a significant kerosene fuel load and their turbine engines operate by continuous open flame burning, making them a potent ignition source. A major brush fire caused by flight operations at the field could cause the Greenway to seriously reconsider the OFMC property lease.
A jet crash on the Franks Farm property to the south could cause the same fire problems and the addition of expensive horses in the fields raises the stakes of such an accident.
The 2003 Board decided unanimously, after considering the risks and benefIts, that our field is not adequate for an all jet event. This amendment is intended to make this a permanent decision. The Board does not intend to prohibit the use of turbine powered models by its members, merely to minimize the risk potential by discouraging high performance aircraft operated by a large number of visitors over whom the Club has little control and no real knowledge of the their skills or experience. The Board is convinced that adding a jet event and encouraging more jet activity at this field could pose a threat to OFMC's continued use of our leased property. The OFMC membership does not want to lose their outstanding recreational facility for any reason. The most likely cause of the loss of our facility is the abuse or perceived abuse of our neighbors, their property, the property that we
lease from the Office of Greenways and Trails, State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, or the surrounding property, also belonging to the Department of Environmental Protection. Our neighbors' concern for their safety and property is obvious. The main concern of our lessor is, their basic function, the protection of Florida's trails and woodlands and to protect their public image.
The Hope families, who live close to the field east boundary , have spoken at least three times to Club Officers during the last six months about their concerns of R/C aircraft flying over and also crashing on their property. Any thoughts that the Hope's would simply put up with whatever over-flying that bothers or potentially threatens them have already
been proven false.
The 2003 Board of Directors recommends a "YES" vote on this amendment.


Thoughts?
Thanks...
Todd and OFMC Members