Club Info

The Woodland Aero Modelers flying field is in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC) Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.  The field has two grass runways - 400 feet long North-South, and a 300 feet long East-West. There is also a 160 foot diameter control line area.  Click here to see the location on a map. 

FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs)

The field is an FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), meaning RC model aircraft can be flown at this field without remote ID equipment required by the FAA to fly unmanned aircraft outside of FRIA sites. Both the aircraft and the pilot must be located within the FRIA's boundaries throughout the flight, and the pilot must be able to see the aircraft at all times throughout the duration of the flight.

Safety Rules

To promote safe flying, we have some simple Flying Field Safety and Operational rules. Club Members and Visitors please read and follow these rules. You can download a copy at the bottom of this page.

Weather Station

Our neighbors at Argonne National Laboratory have a meteorological weather station close to the flying field. The data is publicly available. Readings are taken at 30 ft and 180 ft above ground level.   Click here to get current wind speed readings. 

The Waterfall Glen flying field is accessed through a locked FPDDC gate on Bluff Road. Access to the site by vehicle is limited by the FPDDC to Woodland Aero Modelers club members.

Forest Preserve Permit

The FPDDC requires an Model Aircraft Permit to fly on all of their fields. FPDDC requires proof of insurance for the permit, such as provided by an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) adult/full membership. Permits are free to those over 65 and Veterans. The permit application and flying site Rules and Regulations  are available online, or at their headquarters office at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton.

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) Membership

We are AMA Chartered Club #279 and part of District VI. AMA full membership is required to be a member of Woodland Aero Modelers.  See the AMA Membership Enrollment Center to join and to see a full list of benefits, including insurance. 

FAA Registration & TRUST

The FAA refers all RC model aircraft types operated with radio equipment as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). They also use the term "drone" to refer to all types of RC model aircraft, including airplanes and helicopters. Most model aircraft pilots qualify as Recreational Flyers. The FAA requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test.  The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement for UAS and Drones. The AMA is an FAA Approved Test Administrator .  All aircraft must be registered with the FAA.