February 2005 169
THANK YOU for your support and I am
thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as
your District IX vice president (VP)! You
voted me into this important position based
upon my desires to accomplish several
goals. As the District IX VP, my campaign
promises are as follows:
• I will establish and maintain a District
IX Web site which will facilitate
announcements, news, and reviews of
District IX events; a calendar of
events maintained by District IX
clubs; a place for questions and
answers about any concerns you have
and suggestions as to how the AMA
can better serve you; and a central
clearinghouse for the district’s needs
and members’ opinions.
• I will explore the level of interest in a
centrally located District IX fly-in.
• I will visit all major District events in
person to meet fellow modelers as
time and resources permit.
• I will return all telephone calls and Emails
in less than 48 hours. I will be
responsive to your needs and
expectations from the AMA.
Let’s start at the top. I truly believe my
first order of business is to establish a
District IX Web site, but I don’t want it to
be “Mark Smith’s Web site.” The new site
should be a reflection of the District IX
membership.
I am extremely pleased to announce
that Jim Shaw from the Denver, Colorado,
area has agreed to assume the position of
District IX webmaster. Jim brings to the
position a strong information technology
(IT) background. He holds the position of
International Miniature Aircraft
Association (IMAA) District IX assistant
director and is currently working on
developing that organization’s Web site.
I have had some members express
interest in working to develop a top-notch
site. I ask you to carefully consider lending
your expertise to the task. If you can lend a
hand in this important task, please contact
Jim at your earliest convenience. Call him
at (303) 421-1738 or send him an E-mail at
[email protected].
My next order of business is to ensure
that you are supported by dedicated
District IX associate vice presidents
(AVPs). I have written to each of the
existing AVPs, outlining my desires and
ascertaining their willingness to step up to
the responsibility. With input from the
AVPs, I will divide the district into
manageable areas so that you can know
who to contact with issues that need
immediate attention.
I am looking for our AVPs to attend
local functions and report back through
this monthly MA column and with many
pictures on our new Web site.
I plan to solicit input from the AVPs
about how to vote on crucial AMA issues.
Again, our Web site will be instrumental in
gathering this information.
I want to introduce to you my replacement
as AVP for the Kansas City area. Jerry
Tuttle, of Olathe, Kansas, is a lifelong
modeler and has held offices in many clubs
in both Kansas and Texas. He was
instrumental in obtaining new flying fields
in Grand Prairie, Texas, and in DeSoto,
Kansas.
Jerry Tuttle, the district’s new AVP from
Olathe, Kansas, says that the advances
in radio control equipment keep the
hobby fresh for him.
Jerry is a retired General Motors
engineer and has a degree in
mechanical/electrical engineering from
General Motors Institute in Flint,
Michigan. He has participated in all forms
of aeromodeling including FF, CL, and
several forms of gliders.
Jerry’s serious modeling started in the
early 1960s when single-channel radiocontrol
equipment first became available.
Since then the rapid advances in RC
equipment have kept the hobby new and
fresh for him. Indoor RC is Jerry’s new
interest and his goal is true controlled
flight in his living room.
Jerry is looking forward to helping
other clubs and modelers in District IX to
take advantage of the many services and
facilities offered by AMA.
This is my Northstar which I really enjoy
flying when the opportunity presents
itself.
As you can tell, I like deltas! The first
one is a Jerry Smith (no relation) design
named The Outlaw. With a Webra 32, it
really moves out. You might have seen
the second picture in RC Report. I have a
saying that it doesn’t take a lot to
entertain RC people. It was a cool fall
day at the field and three of us made this
picture. John Wells took the picture and
Jim Maxey is hidden behind me holding
the airplane!
That’s it for this month. I will strive to
have more pictures in my next article.
Until then, fly safely and most importantly,
have fun! Keep in touch. Mark.
Associate Vice Presidents
Max Hansen, 1909 Wisconsin SW, Huron SD
57350
H. Michael Harrington, 6112 Ashton Ct.,
Ft. Collins CO 80525
Fred Hildebrand, 4015 Somerset Circle, Casper
WY 82609-3161
Nathan Lancaster, 3597 S. Kendall Street, Denver
CO 80235
Troy Lapp, 3419 Heartwood Drive SE, Mandan ND
58554
Travis McGinnis, 8027 W. 81st Circle, Arvada CO
80005
Don Moden, 410 Hart St., Salina KS 67401
Jerry Tuttle, 15578 S Navaho Ct., Olathe KS
66062; E-mail: [email protected]; Tel.: (913)
254-0967
Frequency Coordinator
Steve Mangles, c/o Radio Service Center, 918 S.
Sheridan, Denver CO 80226
Webmaster
Jim Shaw, 7945 Newman St., Arvada CO 80005;
Tel.: (303) 421-1738; E-mail:
[email protected]
Colorado/Kansas/
Nebraska/North Dakota/
South Dakota/Wyoming
Mark T. Smith
Vice President
14632 W. 50th St.
Shawnee KS 66216
Tel.: (913) 568-4347
E-mail:
[email protected]
District IX Report
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/02
Page Numbers: 169