Club History

Springfield Model Airplane Club

 Compiled by Roger Dillion
Edited by Ken Petry 

The Springfield Model Airplane Club was formed in January 1973, to meet the need for modelers to share their collective skills and talents and to provide an organizational vehicle with funds to maintain a flying site, offer training to newcomers, and to offer a common ground to those interested in modeling to further enjoy their hobby interests.

SMAC is a chartered AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) club, charter number 1346 and enjoys the distinction of being Chapter #3 in the United States.  All members of SMAC are also required to be members of AMA. AMA membership provides liability insurance, a subscription to "Model Aviation" a monthly modeling magazine and access to AMA Sponsored competition events.

In May 1976, SMAC leased enough land to create a flying field directly behind our (at that time) meeting place and the Hobby Shop. Many members spent many good time flying hours. As the club grew in size, so did the needs for a larger field.

In 1988, Bob Laybourne, one of the founders of SMAC helped the club to procure a site next to (again at that time) Hobby Shop where we enjoyed many hours of flying through the year 2000.

In the spring of 2001 SMAC began construction of a new flying site which is located on Spence Road just west of North Hampton, Ohio and north of State Route #41. The new site boasts a grass runway of some 900 feet in length with ample parking for flyers as well as guests/spectators.

SMAC also has the distinction, that of having another club within itself. In 1989, members petitioned the Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) for a chapter number. We are known as SAM 68 and since that time have hosted a number of SAM events with modelers coming from all parts of the state and country.

Our club meets the first Tuesday of each month to plan club activities which can include local and invitational competitions, family picnics or dinners and to conduct such business as is necessary. There is often discussion of current model materials, suggestion on building and flying conducted by members with the expertise in such areas, occasionally movies are shown, and lot of hangar flying both before and after the meetings.