HISTORY OF THE EAST VALLEY AVIATORS

 Once upon a time in 1992, a group of hardy aviators decided to form a flying club taking the name of the East Valley Aviators.  The original flying field was located at Sossaman and Guadalupe and was eventually lost to progress and the ever encroaching growth of the east valley.  A new home had to be found.  Approximately 25 of the members got together and formed what is now known as the East Valley Aviators.  It should be noted here that in order to be taken seriously, the group would have to incorporate, which they did in 1994.  Each member chipped in $50.00 towards that end.  The first BOD (Board of Directors) included, President and newsletter editor, Bill Adams, Secretary Lee Leninger, Treasurer Jim Christianson and Officers Kerry Wheeler and Tony Anger.  The original club was sanctioned under SFA, (Sports Flyers of America) which no longer exists.

The next flying site to be chosen in 1994 was at the Southeast corner of Ellsworth and Baseline Roads.  This field didn’t last long and the club was asked to vacate that field which is now Augusta Ranch Sub-division.  The owners of the property were not into RC flying and had the field plowed up so it could no longer be used.  After the runway was plowed up, the club departed for friendlier ground.  This was found when the club joined forces with a small group of fliers on the Northeast corner of Signal Butte and Baseline roads.  The club took over responsibility of monitoring the field and everyone was happy.  Although many improvements were made by the club, finding a permanent site was still a priority.  The officers were particularly concerned about the lack of control and serious safety infractions that were occurring.

A 40-acre site on Ironwood drive was chosen as a spot on the map in the middle of nowhere.  The cost to the club is now $2,500.00 per year up from the original $1,000.00 per year assessment.  The adjacent land was leased by a farmer.  On occasion, over the years stray cattle have wandered onto our property and had to be rounded up and the fence break repaired.  The strays made themselves right at home and would usually leave a token of their appreciation behind.  Usually a flat shovel was left at the field to remove their calling card from the carpeting. 

Our current flying site was constructed in a few weekends with the valuable assistance of Mike Killian (charter member) who donated the materials and led the crew that constructed our ramada.  Joe Naninni graded the runway and road in to the field.  The same crew also strung the barbed wire fence surrounding our leased land.

The club applied for and was sanctioned as AMA chapter in 1998 and received the sanction as AMA 4098 and remains so today.

Significant Events and Improvements

1995 - Don Nelson was added as a BOD member.

1996 - John Pomroy assumed duties as Newsletter Editor.

1997 - Ron Ashcroft and Harry Taylor were added as BOD members.  Bill Adams resigned as President and Jim Christiansen was named interim President.  Dale Windor was named program director.

1998 - Don Nelson, President, Stan Teleski, Treasurer, Brett Eklund, Secretary.  Added the 3^rd fence wire to restrict cattle from entering.

1999 - Bill O’Brien added to BOD,  Ken De Laney was named Newsletter Editor.

2000 - John Pomroy, President, George Hogan, Ass’t to the President, Don Manchester, Treasurer.  Installed first new carpet. Unsuccessful in getting permission to blacktop runway.  New frequency control board installed.

2001 - Susan Campbell, Newsletter Editor, Gene Coleman Safety Officer.  Added Vice President position to the Board.  Established Financial accounting system.

2002 - Brian Sodt, Vice President, Gene Coleman, Secretary, Mike Wyman, Safety Officer, Doug Sharpe, Newsletter Editor.  Don built new ramada set up tables.  Revised the Bylaws and Club Safety Rules.  Established membership cap of 250 members.

2003 - Gordon Mitchell and Larry Schroeder, Safety Officers.  Established a new Club Training program with Training Coordinator.  New safety fences were installed.  New flight stations realigned and new startup tables installed.  New engine test area established.  Additional tables under ramada.

2004 - Olen Trenary, President, Mickey Ohland, Vice President, Verlin Boeder, Treasurer, Kerry Wheeler, Safety Officer, Tom Helman, Training Coordinator.  New electric and helicopter flight areas established.

2005 - Bill Cummings, Safety Officer.  Parking areas improved and gravel added.  Removed Club membership cap.

2006 - Jack Defillipis, President, Don Manchester, Secretary, Bruce Van Dyke, Safety Officer, John Fail, Training Coordinator.  First IMAC event open to the public.

EVA is recognized as an AMA Gold Leader Club

At the March 7, 2007 General Membership Meeting,  Richard Hanson, AMA Vice President of District X presented the East Valley Aviators with the “Gold Leader Club” award for completing the necessary requirements for the award. 

In order to recognize the leadership of the best model clubs, the Academy has established the AMA Leader Club Awards. These awards can be earned by any AMA Chartered Club, by meeting certain standards of community service and activity.

There are three levels of AMA Leader Clubs: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.  Once a club meets the minimum criteria, it qualifies for different levels based on performance.  AMA has established 14 goals for Leader Club status.  Five of these goals are required.  A club that meets the required five goals, plus three of the electives, qualifies as a Bronze level Leader Club. Meeting the required five plus six electives qualifies the club for the Silver level. The ultimate recognition, Gold level, requires that all goals be met.
Required Activities for Leader Club Status:
1. AMA Chartered Club for a minimum of five years. Club membership is open to all AMA members and is not limited to a certain number.
2. Club has developed and posted Safety and Operational Rules at its flying site.
3. Club has filed a copy of Safety and Operational Rules at AMA Headquarters.
4. Flying field has separate areas for fliers and spectators, clearly marked as such.
5. The AMA Safety Code is posted and visible at the club field.
Leader Club Electives:
1. Club has implemented and enforces a frequency control plan that allows all 50 RC channels to be used at its club flying site where RC is allowed.
2. Club has implemented an AMA Adopt-A-School program or donates a Model Aviation magazine subscription to schools or libraries.
3. Club conducts a review of the AMA Safety Code at a club, meeting at least once a year.
4. Club sponsors an annual public event, such as a mall show, flying show, or demonstration.
5. Club monitors noise levels and/or institutes club field rules such as a requirement that models be operated at a maximum of 90 db at 9 feet.
6. Club has created an informational handout and provides it to the general public.
7. Club participates in charity programs or public fund-raising events.
8. Club has a formal lease or agreement for use of its flying site or owns its site.
9. Club participates in the AMA Introductory Pilot Program or has its own instruction program.

For a map to the EVA field please visit the following link: