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The History of the W.A.S.P.S.

   In the spring of 1986, Stan Swan, a local aviation enthusiast, contacted a few fellow modelers about forming a model airplane club.  The word was spread by them to as many prospective members as possible.  In June, a preliminary meeting was held to determine the actual interest level.

    About twenty men came to that informal meeting held at the David A. Howe Library in downtown Wellsville, NY.   Practically everyone present was very enthusiastic over the possibility of a club for the area, and those present decided to have an organizational meeting.  The club was officially formed at a subsequent meeting held at the library in July of that same year.

The first officers, elected to serve 2 years were...

    Twenty-two people joined the club at this time, becoming charter members.  Before the end of the year, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the national governing organization of model aeronautics, had issued Charter number 2338 to the new club.  A constitution and accompanying by-laws were adopted, and a flying site was soon located and put to use.

    Several sites for a flying field were considered.   The one which presented the most advantages, and was eventually chosen, was a twenty-six acre site above the Wellsville Landfill, off of Snyder Road.  (See the map and directions from the "our nest" button)  The landfill was, and to this date still owned by the Village of Wellsville.  The Village was pleased, as the land had been acquired for future landfill, but that never occurred.  The land was therefore, not put into use until the W.A.S.P.S. arrived.  Our model airplane club has made a fine, constructive use of this property; one conductive to model airplane flying for all residents.

    The hilltop site was flat, but needed many large bushes and stones removed.  This, as well as rolling of the hilltop was done, and a fine runway approximately 100' X 400' has resulted.  Flying commenced at the site in August of 1986.

    The flight operations shack (FOS) was built in 1987 to provide shelter as well as a place for transmitter impound and a frequency control board.  Summer meetings were held at the flight shack, decorated with remnants of many less fortunate airplanes, posters of local model airplane events, and a memorial plaque listing deceased members, their periods of membership, and service to the club.

    During the summer of 1989, a picnic shelter was built onto the east end of the FOS.  This is a pleasant covered area frequently used by members and their families.  It also becomes our "food shelter" during our fun fly's. 

    To meet a very urgent need, the club purchased an outdoor toilet in 1992.  This has proven to be one of the more "popular" improvements to our field according to many.... :-)

    Over the years, various projects have been completed, making the "W.A.S.P.S. Nest", we feel, one of the finest model facilities this side of New York.  Complete with a control line circle for all you "Ukie's" out there, and a cross-wind runway, our field is constantly being considered for further enhancement.

    The W.A.S.P.S. are justly proud of what we've thus far accomplished, and look forward to many years of further progress and growth.

Who, and What are the W.A.S.P.S.

today?

   The capital letters W.A.S.P.S.  form an acronym for "Wellsville Area Small Plane Society."  This is the name of our model airplane club.  It was submitted by charter member Steve Sanders and was adopted by the club at an early meeting.

    The W.A.S.P.S. promote the design, construction, and flying of all types of model aviation.  Members practice an and all phases of model flying.  We have members engaged in hand launched gliders, free flight, both sport and scale aircraft, giant scale, pattern, etc....  Any and all branches of model aviation is encouraged here.

    Several members are qualified R/C instructors and will gladly assist you in learning to fly R/C airplanes.   Construction advice is always available from any member.  You need not be an experienced builder/flier to be a member.  Membership is open to anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or gender.  All we require is that you are genuinely interested in our hobby.  All "flying" members must also belong to the national organization of which we are chartered under, the Academy of Model Aeronautics.  The AMA is an American affiliate of the world governing body for sport aviation, the Federal Aeronautique Internationale. 

    The AMA provides us with insurance and represents the modeling community in such matters as radio frequency allocation.   It is the official American record keeper of model aircraft accomplishment.   Regional and national, as well as international contests are held periodically.   The AMA also publishes a monthly magazine, Model Aviation, free to all AMA members

    WASPS meetings are held monthly at the flying site in the FOS during the summer months, and currently at the Trinity Lutheran Church on North Main Street in Wellsville during the cold winter months.  Visitors as well as members are cordially invited to all meetings, currently held at 7:00PM every second Tuesday of each month.

    Able bodied members are required to do their part in keeping the flying field properly mowed.  This usually involves partaking part in a mowing team of several members  three to four times a year. (generally from May to October)

    Annual dues are structured in a fashion that a Junior and Additional Flying Members are less.  Associate membership is available to students in area colleges.  Associate members do however need to belong to AMA.  They are otherwise subject to most membership requirements and are encouraged to take an active part in club activities when possible.  We also have non-flying memberships for 'social members' that do not fly, but want to be affiliated with the WASPS.  A 'social member' does not require AMA membership, but it is understood he/she cannot partake in model flying at the field.  For details, obtain a copy of the constitution and by-laws from the club secretary.

Who are we today?

Current club elected officials are as follows:

Model Aviation - What does it cost?

    To be a flying member of the W.A.S.P.S., you must pay annual membership dues to the club (currently $40.00 per year) and to the AMA.  Junior and Additional family member dues are less

    The cost of the aircraft, supplies, and support equipment varies, depending on what you choose.  Balsa gliders begin at $1.00 and can be bought at any grocery store and most department stores.  A beginner's Radio Controlled airplane will cost approximately $350+.  Very large, complex radio controlled aircraft can easily exceed thousands of dollars.

    There are many other items that are "nice to have" such as a flight box, extra parts, tachometer, voltmeter, etc... but are not essential for the initial investment.  If you are new to the hobby, you'll have the opportunity for a qualified instructor to aid your learning, and he/she will have that kind of equipment on-hand anyway.

Want to start a new hobby?

We welcome all inquiries from any and all interested persons.  Join a civic minded group which holds an annual canned food drive at Christmas, provides a subscription of Model Aviation magazine to the local library, and has put otherwise unused village wasteland to good, wholesome use.

We enjoy having what we call "fun fly's" with neighboring clubs; visiting fields for the same purpose, having family and friends come up for cook-outs and contests, an annual awards banquet that's always a real treat, winter meetings with interesting programs, and the good camaraderie of fellow fliers at the 'WASPS Nest." 

Visitors are always welcome at our field during the flying season.  While you're there, ask questions, watch a few flights, check over the planes in the pits, and you may just get hooked like the rest of us!!
 

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