Special to the PVT Members of the Pahrump Valley Model Aviators take a break from flying their somewhat expensive radio-controlled aircraft at the field on Simmons Road off of Gamebird Road. Left to right are Chuck Murray, Bud Swan and Arlen West. Advertisement

In the desert south of Gamebird Road on Simmons Street lies a section of the dry lake bed used as a playground by the Pahrump Valley Model Aviators.

Although most of the members have been in Pahrump for a number of years, the group formed about two years ago in an attempt to acquire a designated flying field through working with the town of Pahrump and the development of the fairgrounds site on Highway 160. So far, the plans for a flying field have not been acknowledged.

Chuck Murray, the Pahrump Model Aviators president, said the club needs about 20 acres but the site should be relatively isolated from homes due to noise and safety issues. Some of the planes have seven or more horsepower engines and can be loud and annoying. It would be the equivalent of hearing a large riding lawnmower or two running constantly.

Turning propellers, engine trouble resulting in a crash and other incidents go hand-in-hand with flying the radio-controlled planes. The group doesn't want to have to be concerned about damaging someone's property with falling debris even though the members carry $2 million in liability insurance.

The aircraft range in size from a foot in length to six feet, and the bigger planes are literally 33 and 35 percent scale to the originals. Arlen West, the club's treasurer, said, "Those planes take a lot of room to maneuver."

Flying on BLM land is problematic. The club can't secure the site with fencing and ATV riders use the field and destroy the smooth surface.

Members have made a drag to help with resurfacing and are especially happy when they get a chance to drag before it rains. "It's great," said Murray. "We drag it, the rain flattens it out and it dries hard and smooth. It's beautiful."

The club has entertained thoughts of leasing the land from the BLM through Recreation and Public Purpose Lease and making improvements to it such as putting a three-foot fence around the perimeter and installing an asphalt runway with permanent work benches on the side for plane repair.

That too is problematic. According to Wendy Feley, Tonopah resident and real estate representative for the BLM, "Leased property, whether it be procured by a public entity like the town or the county or by a nonprofit organization, must be open for public use," she said. So, putting up a fence is fine, as long as it isn't inaccessible to the public.

The club members are already conscientious about the stewardship of the land. "We don't leave any trash laying around," said Murray. "If someone crashes we pick up all the debris."

The club may have to seriously consider getting help from other sources because plans for an airport here may well involve the piece of BLM property it is using.

There will be a meeting concerning the proposed airport and possible locations with representatives from the BLM at 7 p.m. Monday, March 30, in the Bob Ruud Community Center. Representatives of the model aviators will be in attendance to learn if the club might lose the only place it has to fly.