Big Changes for Casa Grande RC Flyer’s Winter Events
As the weather turns cooler, the Casa Grande RC Flyers
winter major event season begins with some major changes due to the COVID-19
virus. The club usually encourages and
welcomes visitors from all over the valley to their events, however this
winter, the airfield will be closed except to Academy of Model Aeronautics
members. There will not be food services
at the club’s 2nd Saturday events this season either. Those and the other changes, such as
controlling the number of members inside the field grounds, are following the
recommendation of the city which are designed to keep the club’s membership and
the public safe. The club’s winter
events usually draw hundreds of visitors for all over the valley.
Masks will be required of anyone on the airfield grounds
and social distancing will be practiced, both at the flight tables and pilot
stations. The charities who usually
stand at the entry gate collecting donations will not be allowed this year,
however the club will be working to solicit donations and distribute them later
in the year. According to the club
president, Alan Friedman, donations of three thousand dollars have already been
received and earmarked for the “Valley Humane Society” and the “Pets in Need
Action League”.
Although the public cannot enter the field, they can view
the flying while parked along the roadway or across the street in the public
shooting range parking lot. The first
major event this winter will be a celebration of National Model Aviation Day on
Saturday November 14, 2020 at the airfield located at 2725 S Isom Road in Casa
Grande. Other winter events were to
benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Casa Grande Valley, the Casa Grande Food
Bank, and the Hospice Charitable Fund of Central Arizona. Should safety concerns diminish, and less
stringent field regulations be needed, the events may again be opened to the
public and the charities again be collecting at the entry gate.
”Although this will be a challenging year, the club hopes
to continue its eight-year tradition of providing interesting events for the
public’s enjoyment and educational programs to area schools and 4-H clubs. Unfortunately, everything is on hold until
this virus in under control”, the club president stated in a press release.
The Casa Grande RC Flyers is one of the top Academy of
Model Aeronautics’ award-winning clubs nationally and an Arizona non-profit
corporation. They promote the hobby of
model aviation by offering free flying lessons to newcomers. They raise money for local charities and
offer many interesting events for the public’s enjoyment. Details about all they do for the community
and membership information can be found on the club’s web site: www.CasaGrandeRCFlyers.com
PHOTOS: Flying Class
On 10-15-20 and Flying Students, both show the club’s lead instructor, Maurie
Sumption of Casa Grande, teaching new flyers, including several from Robson
Ranch, how to fly. Note all are using
the required face masks.
A monthly drought status summary posted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources earlier this month said that the summer’s record-setting high temperatures were combined with 50% less precipitation than average. Casa Grande and northern Pinal County are considered to be in an “exceptional drought” period. About 45% of the nation is in drought, the highest level in more than seven years.
“The monsoon season ended with the hottest and driest summer since 1896,” the summary said.
