Important Please Read/ Merger Info
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chris toomey
Sep 1, 2026, 12:11:25 PMSep 1
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Pilots
As many of you may have heard, Rochester Area Flyers and Free Spirit Flight have been planning to join the clubs. This idea was started several years ago. This spring FSF voted to cease operations in 2027. Over the summer, the BODs of both clubs have been working on a plan to keep Harris Hill, Indian Cliffs , and Katydid open while allowing FSF to close.
Why is this happening? The world of Free Flight has been changing. We aren’t seeing the influx of new , local pilots that we once did…particularly in the Elmira area. It takes a lot of work to administer a club. After 40+ years of dedicated service, Jim Kolynich wants a break. There just aren’t enough local pilots willing or able to serve to keep the club going. The current BOD of FSF have stepped up to keep the club open, but don’t wish to do this long term.
There are other advantages to having one club as well. The primary being some cost savings from overlapping insurance fees. There is also a lot of work duplication that would be simplified with one club.
What is the plan? This fall, RAF will acquire FSF’s assets, namely the launch at Harris Hill, their mower and trailer. This will be for a nominal fee. The deed for Harris Hill will be amended ensuring that it remains only for Free Flight, and can never be commercially sold. In the event that RAF dissolves it will go to USHPA or another free flight organization . RAF will be added to FSF current insurance policy for the remainder of 2026. RAF will apply to insure those sites for 2027 . (insurance runs March 1-March 1 ). FSF will continue to operate/administer Harris , Indian Cliffs and Katydid until 3/1/2027. After that, those sites will be insured and administered by RAF. FSF will dissolve on 3/1/2027.
For most pilots this should be a seamless transition. The flying will not change. Site protocols, guidelines etc will remain in place and unchanged. FSF handle their membership renewal differently than RAF does. For 2027 , RAF will honor existing FSF memberships and prorate the difference. In 2028, any pilots wishing to fly Harris, The Cliffs or Katydid will need to join RAF. We do not anticipate a dues increase, but I don’t think we will really know where we stand until after 2028.
This is bittersweet. The closing of FSF marks the end of an era. For over 50 years, thousands of pilots have had the pleasure of flying under FSF. But times are changing. Free Flight is not getting any easier. Joining the two clubs assets and memberships will ensure that these world class sites will remain open for the foreseeable future.
In the coming days, pilots whose memberships are current, will receive and Elections Buddy invitation to vote. We are asking you to vote on two things. First, approve the acquisition/merger with FSF. Secondly, we are asking for permission to spend up to $5000 to complete this process. We don’t anticipate spending nearly that much, but the exact costs are uncertain. The attorney handling this for us is doing it for free, but there will be costs with deed transfer, title search, etc. It is unlikely, but we may need the help of a CPA as well.
Thanks for your attention to this and for continuing to be members……keeping free flight alive in western NY.
Chris
Sent from my iPhone
As many of you may have heard, Rochester Area Flyers and Free Spirit Flight have been planning to join the clubs. This idea was started several years ago. This spring FSF voted to cease operations in 2027. Over the summer, the BODs of both clubs have been working on a plan to keep Harris Hill, Indian Cliffs , and Katydid open while allowing FSF to close.
Why is this happening? The world of Free Flight has been changing. We aren’t seeing the influx of new , local pilots that we once did…particularly in the Elmira area. It takes a lot of work to administer a club. After 40+ years of dedicated service, Jim Kolynich wants a break. There just aren’t enough local pilots willing or able to serve to keep the club going. The current BOD of FSF have stepped up to keep the club open, but don’t wish to do this long term.
There are other advantages to having one club as well. The primary being some cost savings from overlapping insurance fees. There is also a lot of work duplication that would be simplified with one club.
What is the plan? This fall, RAF will acquire FSF’s assets, namely the launch at Harris Hill, their mower and trailer. This will be for a nominal fee. The deed for Harris Hill will be amended ensuring that it remains only for Free Flight, and can never be commercially sold. In the event that RAF dissolves it will go to USHPA or another free flight organization . RAF will be added to FSF current insurance policy for the remainder of 2026. RAF will apply to insure those sites for 2027 . (insurance runs March 1-March 1 ). FSF will continue to operate/administer Harris , Indian Cliffs and Katydid until 3/1/2027. After that, those sites will be insured and administered by RAF. FSF will dissolve on 3/1/2027.
For most pilots this should be a seamless transition. The flying will not change. Site protocols, guidelines etc will remain in place and unchanged. FSF handle their membership renewal differently than RAF does. For 2027 , RAF will honor existing FSF memberships and prorate the difference. In 2028, any pilots wishing to fly Harris, The Cliffs or Katydid will need to join RAF. We do not anticipate a dues increase, but I don’t think we will really know where we stand until after 2028.
This is bittersweet. The closing of FSF marks the end of an era. For over 50 years, thousands of pilots have had the pleasure of flying under FSF. But times are changing. Free Flight is not getting any easier. Joining the two clubs assets and memberships will ensure that these world class sites will remain open for the foreseeable future.
In the coming days, pilots whose memberships are current, will receive and Elections Buddy invitation to vote. We are asking you to vote on two things. First, approve the acquisition/merger with FSF. Secondly, we are asking for permission to spend up to $5000 to complete this process. We don’t anticipate spending nearly that much, but the exact costs are uncertain. The attorney handling this for us is doing it for free, but there will be costs with deed transfer, title search, etc. It is unlikely, but we may need the help of a CPA as well.
Thanks for your attention to this and for continuing to be members……keeping free flight alive in western NY.
Chris
Sent from my iPhone
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