ORIGINAL: Hossfly
3.Unfortunately, AMA was not on the wave's crest when they sold the office building in Reston, nor did they have the best of advice. They sold at a loss.
There was no flying site associated with the AMA Headquarters in Reston. Just an office building.
He he, that must be true, because the wave has not crested here yet. That is one thing about the DC metro area, while you hear about a "housing bubble burst" going on, the prices keep going up here. It may take a month to sell instead of a week, but sell it will.
Hoss, are you sure about the lack of flying site? I seem to remember photos in the AMA magazine years...and years ago of "flying at the Reston site". Nevertheless, the building alone would likely still cover a good chunk of several sites these days.
Gentlemen: I beg of you, Please do not place yourself in Fantasy Land. Considering that the average RCer cannot understand having to pay $50 club dues and/or $58 AMA due, one must remember that as a group RCers act like paupers until they see some model, some engine, some radio or group of each or case of goodies they don't need, whereas they suddenly strike the mother-lode and will sell the homestead to buy whatever they want.
In any case we can evidence in this AMA forum, as well as our association with others around the modelers that we associate with, that there is no way in this lifetime, definitely mine, and I'm betting yours, that AMA will ever be a large landowner able to own land for flying facilities throughout the nation to any degree, especially within range of YOUR place.
It isn.t feasable, it isn't within the economics, and it 'ain't gonna' happen. One of the first methods to get something accomplished is to recognize one's capability. The model aviation community simply does NOT have such capability.
Sorry, I will have to stay in fantasy land and hope the AMA wakes up and realizes that a series of AMA regional and eventually state flying sites should be the number one priority, with media attention being the second. It won't matter if we attract new members if there is no place to fly.
Unfortunately, the current "now" generation that doesn't understand working for something over time is whose shoulders on which it will come to rest. I hold little hope, but a little hope is better than giving up.