168 MODEL AVIATION
DISTRICT IX comprises six states that have
the chilliest of winters. Nonetheless, many
clubs find a way to get out and celebrate the
New Year with a fun-fly. Here are a couple of
reports from some brave souls who were a
part of that celebration.
CD Pete Weller reports that the Arvada
Associated Modelers (AAM), club #399, held
its ninth annual Frozen Finger Fun-Fly on
January 1. The weather cooperated by
holding the wind off until we were finished
with the events.
At a balmy 50 degrees, we had 14 fliers
register for the event and 40 spectators. With
three classes of fliers, Daniel Adamson won
first in Novice; Frank Dilatush took first in
Sportsman, and Cody Wilson won in
Advanced. Cody Wilson also took home the
Frozen Finger Traveling Trophy for the
second time. Chris Sturm took home the
Most Spectacular (damaged) Award.
This was the first time we were able to
balance the electric pilots’ and the glowpowered
pilots’ times to make it competitive.
We hid the electric pilots’ batteries so they
had to find a “charged” battery for the ground
event.
As always, thanks to those who make
flying these wonderful creations such a
blessing on both the local and national level.
Chilly AAM Frozen Finger Fun-Fly
participants.
Bruce Ream offered this report on the Jefco
Aeromod’lers of Denver’s annual January 1,
IC-CARB day. This year, the weatherman
brought temperatures beginning in the 30s
and climbing into the 40s by the afternoon.
Winds were from 5-15 all day and this
brought out more than 30 pilots and several
visitors to the club’s 2009 kick-off event.
The competition is to see who can be first
in the air in the new year. This year’s winner
was Stacy Rodriquez who was off at 7:01 in
the morning. By 9:30, the sky was full of
airplanes and by noon some of the jet pilots
had their airplanes giving the visitors a
wonderful show.
Egil Weigert and John Lormand with Egil’s
Mosquito.
Jefco’s New Year’s event fliers.
Not a part of the competition is the first
crash of the year. We had a winner. It was
Dave Cross who, after some help from Roger
Kruse, found his airplane. A sadder note was
the crash of Egil Wigert’s huge Mosquito.
This airplane had an 11-foot wingspan and
had just been repaired with more than 1,500
hours of labor. This time it’s beyond repair. It
lost one engine.
The pilots were greeted with coffee and
donuts thanks to Roger Kruse and other club
members. Tom Hooser, our club president,
and his wife Patty, brought chili with all the
things that go with great chili. This helped
warm everybody up during the day. No snow
this year but Jefco is off to a great start.
Stewart Garrett, from the Arvada
Associated Modelers in Colorado, submits
this report on one of the club’s annual
highlights.
The AAM Harvest Festival Airshow.
“Arvada Associated Modelers in Arvada,
Colorado, participated in the city’s Harvest
Festival Parade and hosted an Airshow that
same afternoon. With the assistance of a
number of volunteers, our float showcased a
variety of models, drew a lot of attention, and
gave invitations to the Airshow.
“As the parade continued, the pre-airshow
started with the AMA TAG [Take off And
Grow] program. Ground school and simulator
training followed by buddy-box demo flights
were performed in front of the spectators and
then later at a second runway. Many acts
followed throughout the afternoon and then
were repeated again for a second show.
“The flight schedule was developed to
showcase a variety of different types of flying
machines for the public’s pleasure. Planes
(sail, electric, glow, and gas), helicopters,
rockets, and even a few RC cars at half time.
“Everyone agrees that the Airshow was a
hit. Chris Bart and Eric Gropp deserve a pat
on the back and a big thank-you. We also
can’t forget the many volunteers who gave
their time to make it a success. Thanks to all
of you.”
Club Corner: It’s amazing how many varied
interests you find in any random club in the
district. We find there are builders, fliers,
socializers, and nearly every other category
you can imagine. There are interests in
electric, glow, gas, FF, CO2 power, CL,
competition, and sport flying. We are truly an
all-inclusive hobby.
As club officers, I think it is important to
keep in mind that we run the gamut of varied
interests when we conduct our business with
our membership. Encourage fun-flys for
different interest groups. Cater to all at your
club meetings. The sense of equality as we
interface with our club members makes us a
healthier organization. After all, our mission
is to create an environment in which we can
all have good, safe fun.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 E. 82nd Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-9061
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Steve Culver, Omaha NE;
[email protected]
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Troy Lapp, Bismarck ND;
[email protected]
Bruce Ream, Highlands Ranch
CO; [email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS;
[email protected]
Jim Tiller, Rapid City SD;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator: Steve
Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
04amanews:11amanews.qxd 2/24/2009 11:46 AM Page 168
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/04
Page Numbers: 168