LOSS OF FLYING SITES is a primary
concern of AMA as well as numerous local
clubs. Crosswinds RC Club in Parker,
Colorado, provided commentary about how
they dealt with this potential problem. Club
president, Tim Kagele, tells the tale:
“As you know, loss of RC flying sites
around the country due to the encroachment
of housing and commercial development is
the number one issue as communicated by
AMA. Crosswinds RC club, located east of
the Town of Parker, Colorado, has been in
the same location for more than 15 years.
“When the club first relocated to our
current site, there were no houses near us.
However, a lot has changed over the years,
and our flying site, leased from the state and
part of the former Lowry AFB bombing
range, now has more than a hundred homes
just to the south of our field.
“Rather than sit around and hope that our
new neighbors don’t complain about our site
and try to close us down, the officers of
Crosswinds RC decided to proactively
engage our neighbors by inviting them out
for a day of flying, food, and learning what
our sport is all about.
“We were able to connect with the
president of the Home Owners Association,
who offered his support and helped us
advertise the event. We called it the
Crosswinds RC Neighborhood Appreciation
Day, and it was held on September 19, 2009.
“I am sharing this information, but I
wanted to let you know that this event had
an overwhelming response by area residents
who brought their families, many with small
children, who all got to take a turn with club
instructor pilots on the buddy box. We also
had enthusiastic support throughout the day
from our club members, and we plan to host
this event again next year.
“If any club in District IX would like
more details on how we organized this
event, we would be happy to share
information with them. Just send me an
email at [email protected].”
I had the pleasure of visiting the
Omahawks for one of the clubs float flies at
the Hawk Field facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Darrell Watts drove up for the event with
Mark Smith to check out his Otter. See the
picture of the airplane, and if you have a
stomach for it, check out http://bit.ly/32Gqta
to see the video of his entry into the pond.
Steve Culver, associate vice president; Mark
Smith, AMA’s executive vice president; and
Darrell Watts with the Otter.
E.J. Murphy, president of the Omahawks
gives us an update on the TAG (Take off
And Grow) event the club hosted:
“Just wanted to let you know, we had
another TAG event. A group of Cub Scouts
from Troop 114, in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska,
joined the Omahawks at Hawk Field.
“I did an ‘Introduction to Flight
Controls,’ and then each boy had an
opportunity to get a couple of flights with an
instructor. Fred Wilke and Ron Pacana were
kind enough to help with manning the main
transmitter. Brad Perkons and Dale Alva
assisted each boy with the buddy box. Bob
Wheeler helped me see to it that each Scout
got his fair share of time on the sticks.
“We have a couple more events planned,
including a Girl Scout Troop working on
their ‘Try It’ Badges.”
Happy Scouts and future modelers.
Bruce Ream, our associate vice president in
Colorado, files this report:
“Not to many of us will ever fly a model
that falls into the ‘Experimental’ category of
model aircraft, but if you want to build and
fly an airplane weighing more than 55
pounds and fly it at AMA events, it must be
certified.
“On August 26, 2009, I had the
opportunity to witness and photograph this
Giant Scale A-10 flown by Egil Wiegert at
the Jefco Aeromodler’s field in Littleton,
Colorado, to obtain certification.
“Two certified inspectors came from
Wichita, Kansas, to do the certification on
the A-10. If you are interested, or are going
to build one of these beasts, then go to the
AMA Web site and look up the 29-page
document, AMA-520A, that gives you all
the information on what is involved in
getting approval for this kind of airplane and
becoming an inspector.
“Jerry Shumaker and John Newman were
the two inspectors who made their way (I
heard they got lost) to the site. What fine
gentlemen and what experience and
knowledge they bring to this process and to
the hobby. Egil Weigert is the pilot/owner
and Jerry Farmer was the builder. Egil did
the required two flights and two perfect
landings.”
What a beautiful, huge A-10! Now certified!
Till next time.
December 2009 157
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]
Zac Heskin, Garrison 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
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Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/12
Page Numbers: 157