What kind of projects
promote free flight?
Projects that involve preservation, safety, education
and competition promote free flight. The
FFF works with local clubs and organizations to protect sites and keep them
open for pilots. Power lines that render
a landing zone unusable, federal or state policies that impact campsites near
flying sites, roads to launch, roads to landing zones and the implementation of
easements or assistance in purchasing land.
Here are a few examples of both past and current success stories.
In 2005 a
matching grant of $10,000 was awarded for purchase and an easement of the West Rutland Launch in Vermont,
which will allow
Hang gliding to
continue there for years into the future.
Safety Campaigns and Education
“Hook in!” the two words commonly seen on hang
glider launch ramps across the country, have helped to reduce those types of
accidents over the years. These visual
reminders are an example of what can come from problem solving as a community
to minimize risk.
Competition
In
Europe, sports like hang gliding and paragliding are highly valued by the culture
and supported by the community at large.
American pilots are grossly underfunded by comparison, putting them at a
disadvantage. Teams like the 2005 years
X Alps paraglider pilots are a group of highly accomplished and deserving
pilots.
Dave Turner, Dawn Westrum, Honza Rejmanek, Gavin McClurg
Their accomplishments alone do not help them
compete at a world-class level. They
need to have the necessary logistical support while there and to get there and
then back home they need financial resources.
While most of the money comes from there own pockets sometimes it is not
enough to compete with European teams. http://www.usparaglidingteam.org
Resources to Keep Free
Flight Opportunities Available
In many cases, negotiating with local, state and
federal agencies can be overwhelming.
Private land owners also have a relationship with local clubs. The quality of those relationships and the
negotiations can keep free flight alive for years to come.
In many cases a project seems too big. “Our club doesn’t have the funds to do
that.” Small organizations and groups of
pilots may not realize that the Foundation
for Free Flight is designed to support their efforts. Accepting proposals for worthy projects is
part of the mission. Building ramps,
burying power lines and assisting with legal fees are the kind of projects the
Foundation for Free Flight is looking to support.
What you can do?
Besides
donating to the Foundation, you can help on a local level. If your club or team has a project that seems
overwhelming, consider submitting a proposal.
We want to support free flight in the USA. You are invited and encouraged to submit
proposals for the next deadline.
If your organization is interested in applying for
a grant, the application process can be simplified by contacting the Foundation for Free Flight grants committee before
completing a grant application. Call Foundation for Free Flight at
559-338-2370 or email grants@foundationforfreeflight.org with a brief description of your project. A
Foundation for Free Flight Grants Program Advocate will then contact you to
discuss your project and provide information that will help you with the
application process.
