A Field is Born.

[LeadingEdge]

Article written by: "Mad" Max Duncan


We hear the bad news almost far too regularly – fields closing due to encroaching developments, and open land is becoming scarce in areas like Orange County, California. The increasing commoditization of land simply sucks if you’re into toy airplanes. If you live in The OC, you’ve been SOL since December, and had to drive considerable distances to get your fix. Today marked a new chapter for molders in SoCal – The Orange County Modeler’s Association finally got a new runway! After more than 7 months of work, we finally pulled it off. Our new site is located in a (currently) remote area near Irvine Lake, and is about as good as it gets! Over the past week we’ve been prepping the land with over 40 truckloads of fill dirt that monster sized scrapers sculpted into a flat surface. Today we pounded in our new “Petromat” runway, and one of our board members made the inaugural flight. A bunch of OCMA members volunteered their time to help drive in over 3000 nails, and everyone was smiles from ear to ear - it was a reunion of friends who hadn't seen one another in some time. We got our field back. This happens to be my home flying site as well, and I can’t tell you how good its gonna be to get back in the air. Keep huckin’ guys & have a good weekend!

~MadMax

Secretary, Orange County Modeler's Association

[king160woody]

sweet dude!! Our field was thinking about getting something like "petromat" to cover our dirt field runway up but havent gotten to that point just yet. Field looks good so far!!!

[madmax]

Petromat is aparantly the hot tickey, it's kinda like a super thick home depot tarp. A few clubs in our area are using it with good success after 3 years. The ripples in the cover should streach flat once the sun bakes it down. Hopefully we'll be able to asphalt it one of these days.

[Cracky]

That looks like an awesome place to fly.....gotta love scenery in the background (other than corn)

Lookin forward to see the TB huckin down low there!!!

[50%plane]

Hey! Corn is great for huckin in! Field looks great Max! Congrats to your club!

[Benji]

really awesome.

[quentonious]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 50%plane
	Hey! Corn is great for huckin in! Field looks great Max! Congrats to your club!

yea not to mention easier on your plane with those not so perfect landigns

[50%plane]

	Quote: Originally Posted by quentonious
	yea not to mention easier on your plane with those not so perfect landigns

Stop watchin me fly!!!!!!!

[GremlinX]

Sweet!

[Big J]

Looks great, MadMax. Do the side seams cause any problems with ground handling? I know that sometimes on a freshly paved highway the seams will pull your car around a bit when changing lanes, until they get worn down by the traffic a little. And model airplane tires are a lot smaller than car tires. Just thought that maybe you guys might have the same kind of problem for awhile. By the way, what are nails used for? Anyway, it's great that you guys took the bull by the horns and got this thing done. Congratulations to you and your fellow club members, dude.

[shannah]

Kudos to the whole team. I was stunned at how quickly the mat was installed and flight ready. I showed up to the field today thinking we'd be slaving in the hot sun all day. But, due to the hard work and preparation, the thing was ready to go before 11am. I went home, got my plane and put in some flights. It was great to see everyone again. Can't wait to put in more flights.

[madmax]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Big J
	Looks great, MadMax. Do the side seams cause any problems with ground handling? I know that sometimes on a freshly paved highway the seams will pull your car around a bit when changing lanes, until they get worn down by the traffic a little. And model airplane tires are a lot smaller than car tires. Just thought that maybe you guys might have the same kind of problem for awhile. By the way, what are nails used for? Anyway, it's great that you guys took the bull by the horns and got this thing done. Congratulations to you and your fellow club members, dude.

J- THANKS! Steve - Can't wait to see more of ya buddy!

The mat is literaly like laying two tarps over one another with a 12" overlay. The nails were 6" spikes to hold the mat down. Honestly, it's going to be strange flying on it, and for someone trying to pull the perfect scale takeoff, yes, it may cause some drift. I'm a little more concerned about catching a wheelpant on the mat, but after the sun stretches it out, it should be pretty darn good. Will find out tomorrow and give y'all a full report.