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The GAMA History
At the beginning of WW2 the Army Air Forces needed a supply depot in
the eastern part of the country, political pressures were brought into
play and Wellston Air Depot was established on several square miles of
farm land just south of Macon, Georgia. The name Wellston Air Depot was
changed to Robins Air Force Base in the late 1940s. As on many military
bases, recreational facilities were established for off duty military and
civilian workers. Beginning with U-control flying just after WW2, to the
current, Robins AFB has had an established model airplane flying club either
on the base or in the nearby town of Warner Robins.
During the Vietnam era the club was formally organized under the
leadership of Major William Benshof, and was known as the Georgia Gnatz.
This club met on Sunday afternoons on military property just off the base.
The club was primarily into radio controlled planes at this time. Local
activities both on the base and in the town usually had time spots for
demonstrations of radio control flying. In 1972 the name of the club was
changed to the current Georgia Aircraft Modelers Association. At this time,
one of the yearly activities the club established was an auction of model
related items. This auction was established to raise money, and was originally
conducted in the Civilian Club on north Davis Drive in Warner Robins. Club
membership was about 15 people, and at the first auction some 40 people
showed up at our very small meeting room in the club. The first auction
was a big success and has continued every year since, and in recent years
has become the Southeastern Model Show.
In 1973 the base officials requested that the club curtail flying on
the property that was just outside gate 9 west of highway 247. This area
was to be used in the construction of an overpass on the new Russell Parkway
highway. The club immediately rented an area to fly from in a field owned
by a local lawyer, John Nixon. This field was located near the crossroads
known as Bonaire, about 8 miles south of Robins AFB. At this field the
club established a yearly fly-in. This event originated when the club invited
the Columbus group to our field to fly and have hamburgers. This fall tradition
was continued for several years, and ultimately evolved into a yearly event
that brought fliers to our field from all over the state.
The Bonaire site was shared with a herd of cows, who really enjoyed
the nice sweet grass that resulted from the weekly mowing of the flying
field. The club flew from this field for several years, and gave up the
site upon Mr. Nixon's request. The cows had priority, and as the land was
up for sale, Nixon did not want any renters on the land, fearing legal
entanglements might hinder potential sales. In the late 1980s this same
land became a beautiful subdivision known as Doublegate.
The club flew temporarily from several sites around the town of Warner
Robins. Though fragmented in its flying activities, the club maintained
continuity, and each year conducted the yearly auction. The yearly fall
fly-in was not held for several years. The club finally secured a place
on Robins AFB in 1976. The field on Robins AFB though restricted by encroaching
pine trees, and military needs, became a very popular and much used flying
site. During the period of 1976 to 1991 the club membership grew to about
30 members. The club continued its yearly activities, putting emphasis
on the yearly auction, and enlarged the advertising for the fall fly-in
which became known as the October Fly Fest.
In 1990 the club was notified that the area it occupied on Robins AFB
was needed as a storage area. The club secured a flying site near the town
of Byron, Georgia. This site was rent free, an in very poor condition.
Much effort was put into the grading, sowing and maintenance to make this
field useable. The site was less than ideal. Nearby trees, Interstate 75
and other factors caused the club to seek another field. In 1992 the club
made contact with a land owner in nearby Peach county, who owned 161 acres
of woodland. Upon inspection of the land it was immediately obvious that
it would be ideal for a flying site. An offer to lease 15 acres was made
and accepted. The 15 acres overlooked a beautiful rolling meadow, clear
on all sides. The area had previously been farmed, and though over grown
with waist high weeds, was in excellent condition and only required the
club to set up a mowing cycle that would allow the underlying grass to
grow. The club built its own outhouse facility in a nearby wooded area
and a covered facility for meetings and other activities.
In 2000, the club was notified that the land owner was going to sell
the property, and did so in early 2001. The new owner allowed us to continue
using the property through August 2001 at which time we had to vacate the
flying site. Club members had previously located a new leased flying site
of 60 acres, on Vinson road near Ft. Valley, Georgia, and began flying
at the field immediately upon vacating the old site. Runway conditions
were less than ideal for several months when club members agreed to invest
having the runway tilled and seeded which was completed in March 2002.
The landowner charged us with the responsibility of periodically grooming
the entire 60 acres, however the landowner also placed the acerage in a
land bank informing us that there were no plans to sell the property, but
keep it in the family.
This flying site is one of the most beautiful in the southeast. Members
enjoy a great visa of open meadow, with a backdrop of pecan trees, populated
by all manner of wildlife, foxes, deer, rabbits, quail and hawks in great
abundance. The club is very proud of its heritage, and particularly it's
flying site. R/C flyers from the local area who want to associate with
a group of flyers who enjoy and respect the natural beauty of the land
are invited to join.
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