First, I am an officer in our club. We have an unusual arrangement for the use of our field. First, we are the guest of the college who owns the field we fly on. In order to build an use this field, we signed a Document of Understanding with the college. This document balances the usage of the field and fly over area between the Ag department of the college, the Aerospace department, and our club. Notice that we are last on the list. Safety concerns and insurance are a prime part of this agreement. Being underwritten by the AMA and their insurance umbrella are a key part of the DOU. Also included here is the amount of time and the hours we are using the field. This clause prevents us from having open contest or events including outside of the club precipitants. The DOU is cast in concrete. Changing it would be like trying to change the wording in the Decoration of Independence. It just isn't going to happen.

The next level of "rules" for our club is the club constitution. That spells out how the club will operate and organize. It establishes rules which govern the duties of the officers and committees. One of the things our constitution spells out is that the board, the officers and committee chairs, will determine the daily operation of the club, including safety issues. Changing the constitution requires a vote of all club members.

That leaves the board with the duties of paying the bills for maintenance of the field, collecting dues to fund the maintenance, organizing any community events and watching over the safe operation of the field. Foremost in our mind is not to cause or allow an issue that would be in violation of the DOU as this could cost us our flying field. We lost one before and as a result almost lost the club. The potential of loosing our field is still fresh in our minds as board members.

The day to day operations are mostly routine. Once in a while an issue comes up like the protocol of making low passes down the runway. We had a couple guys who liked to make low, high speed runs at the flight line, and we nixed that. Smoking at the field was another issue that popped up. We are in ranch lands and for the great part of the year, a fire could lead to a great loss of property, livestock and last, our field. These are the type of things we police. We monitor the hours of usage at the field, which is spelled out in our DOU. We keep new members from trying to float fly off the ponds that border our field, again a DOU consideration. Basically though, it is just a common sense approach to keeping order. Each member has the authority to challenge an unsafe practice at the field.

That is the way our club and field works. Any challenges or changes to operations must first be allowed under the DOU, then the constitution, an finally a review by the board with input from the members. Your club may operate under a different set of rules and agreements. Try to understand why the rule is there. If it does seem to be a dumb or restrictive rule, bring it up at the club meetings and request a review, change, or dropping of the rule. If it is something that needs to be changed, and can be changed, the board will likely agree. Some things though are cast in stone and the board has little leeway in those areas.

I for one, actually one of many, would like to fly float plane off the two ponds. Unfortunately we just have the right to recover any floating debris from the ponds after unexpected landings.

Last, be an active member in the club. Not only flying but be active in the operation of the club. Be willing to spend the time required to keep the club viable. Our last “vote” for officers was preceded by a search for someone willing to put his name up for nomination. If the members aren’t willing to be an active part of the club, but want to just rent flying space by paying dues, they should be willing to accept the rules as they stand. Be active and keep fresh blood in the organization and you will have a good, long lasting club. Set on the sidelines and grumble and offer nothing to the club and you and the rest of the club may be looking for a place to fly some day. Keep involved.

Don