July 2006 165
IT’S A GIVEN that we all want to secure
and maintain our flying sites. One of the
primary means to help ensure that we will be
able to fly at our field is to actively
participate in community events and
generally be viewed as a good citizen.
This month I want to highlight a couple
of clubs that are shining examples of how
this is accomplished. The Arvada
Associated Modelers, located in Arvada,
Colorado, has started a program focused
on youth and the Jayhawk Modelmasters
built a beautiful float for the Saint
Patrick’s Day parade.
Larry Hansen, the vice president of the
Arvada Associated Modelers (AAM), sent in
this report about the local Civil Air Patrol
(CAP) squadron and rockets.
“As some of you may have noticed, one
of the local CAP squadrons has been firing
rockets into the air west of our West Field
pilot stations on Saturday mornings. These
exciting young cadets have been invited to
use our facilities for their ‘quest for flight’
as part of our club’s Youth Outreach
Program.
“As part of the mission to promote our
hobby, youth outreach programs have been
strongly recommended by AMA to all
charter clubs across the country. Young
people are the future of our hobby.
Without them RC modeling will some day
wither and die.
“To that end, AAM is working with a
local CAP squadron to involve them in RC
aeromodeling. These young people, who are
currently testing their skills at rocketry, plan
to begin to build a trainer airplane with radio
and engine, for and by each of the cadets in
the squadron. Upon completion of this
project, to a member they plan to join AAM
and AMA so that they will have a place to
fly their newly built RC models.
Blast off!
Club member Ron Evans and some of the
kids learning about aviation.
“We anticipate additional interest to be
generated in our club with the siblings,
friends, and relatives of these vivacious
youngsters. Here is a group of people who
already have a great interest in aviation
and RC modeling just falls into line with
that interest.
“Once these cadets have been guided into
our hobby and club, AAM plans to try to get
other CAP squadrons interested in our
hobby, our club, and AMA.
“If you see some of these young people
at the west field, say hello to them and
welcome them to our facility. Take a look at
their rockets and ask them about the plans
they have for flying. They’ll be glad you did
and later when these enthusiastic young
fliers join our organization, they can help us
all grow into the future we want and need.”
Jayhawk Modelmasters’ float: Here is
another example of how we can create high
exposure for our hobby. The following
pictures show this beautiful float that this
Lawrence, Kansas, club drove in the annual
Saint Patrick’s Day parade. As you can tell,
much time, care, and pride went into this
float. Great job, Jayhawks!
This last month has been busy for me. I
spent a great weekend in the Omaha,
Nebraska, area. On Friday evening I was
invited by club president Steve Culver to
speak about AMA at the Omahawks’
monthly meeting. On Saturday, turbine
enthusiast Ward Neesen arranged an open
meeting at Bud’s Hobby Shop.
I’ve got to tell you, Bud Kilnoski is a
neat guy and one super hobby shop owner!
Bud sprang for free coffee and donuts for
the modelers which brought in around 40
people. Larry Johnson, AMA’s insurance
broker, and I made a short presentation and
then we had an open question-and-answer
session. The hospitality was second to none.
Thanks Omaha-area modelers and I look
forward to flying with you this summer!
That’s it for this month. Until next
month, have fun and keep in touch!
District IX
Mark Smith, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Mark Smith
Vice President
14632 W. 50th St.,
Shawnee KS 66216
Tel.: (913) 568-4347
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Max Hansen, Huron SD;
[email protected]
H. Michael Harrington, Ft.
Collins CO; wdal@
lamar.colostate.edu
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Troy Lapp, Bismarck ND;
[email protected]
Travis McGinnis, Arvada CO;
[email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Jerry Tuttle, Olathe KS;
[email protected]
John Van Brocklin, Hastings NE;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinators:
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS; miketallman@
webtv.net
Judy Gerken, Denver CO;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator: Steve
Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 165