152 MODEL AVIATION
APRIL was the busiest month of my
tenure. Many events such as the Toledo
Expo and an AMA Safety Committee
meeting, an Executive Council meeting, a
kitchen remodel, and family life in general
have kept me hopping.
Jack Matlock, Shorty, and I attended the
Malakoff Fun-Fly in Texas. Associate Vice
President Jack Hogan was the CD.
We stayed in Jack’s workshop (read
that as a two-bedroom house with kitchen
and shower) and both wanted to throw
rocks at our own workshops.
The wind kicked up for the event, but
there was still some great flying and
camaraderie.
I gave Mark Humphries a District Patch for
the most impressive flight of the day.
Jack Hogan did a fine job as CD and received
the first “Making a Difference” award” for
the district.
The early morning group of pilots.
Andy Clapp, Shorty, and I made an 800-
mile whirlwind trip from San Antonio to
Grand Prairie, Texas, for the Giant Scale
and 3-D Jamboree on Friday, April 17, and
then to New Waverly, Texas, for the 25th
Annual Big Bird event and a planned
memorial service.
What we really did was watch it rain in
two different parts of the state and had a
really good time visiting with modelers,
uninterrupted by that pesky flying thing.
Ron Wedel was CD for the 3-D
Jamboree and he had plenty of activities
planned and more prizes than one could
imagine. His event gathered 43 pilots from
seven states. He conducted the Tri-State
Shootout with Oklahoma winning the
competition over Texas and Arkansas.
Friday was nearly a complete rainout
with flying starting at 4 p.m. (just as I left!),
but good weather and good flying was
reported on the weekend. I saw John Light
fly his 60% Extra and gave him an AMA
hat.
I was once again impressed by Jonathan
Jennings and his freestyle routine. He was
in school but I left a hat for him as I
departed.
John Light readies his 60% Extra for a flight.
I awarded CD Ron Wedel the second Making
a Difference award.
You should plan to attend if you have the
chance in the future. There are many big
birds and some great flying.
We arrived at the Tri County Barnstormers
field as the rains came. It poured and not a
flight was flown.
The event was supposed to include a
flyover by a full-scale Cub and the ashes of
19-year-old Kyle Foote and the ashes of his
friend, Doug Cockerham, were to be
scattered, but the weather had different
plans.
We had a great day visiting, talking
about Kyle and Doug, and making new
friends. Again, the weather cleared on
Sunday and the 35-or-so pilots had a great
time (without me!)
Adam Kaminskas was the CD and it was
evident that he had done a lot of preparation
work for the event.
I presented Adam Kaminskas with the
Making a Difference award as well.
Have fun and fly safely! See you on the
flightline.
District VIII
Jim Rice, District VIII Vice President; [email protected]
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Jim Rice
Vice President
118 E. Wright Blvd.,
Universal City TX 78148
Tel.: (210) 213-0299
(evenings)
www.AMA-Dist-8.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Lester L. Barry, Bethany OK;
(405) 789-5373
Pete Boudreaux, Franklin LA;
(337) 836-5478
Jack Hogan, Chandler TX;
(903) 849-4193 (Evenings)
Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque
NM; (505) 823-0158
Jim D. Marshall, Mission TX;
(956) 585-6446
Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls
TX; (940) 691-8348
Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX;
(281) 701-3121
Doug Staines, Belton TX;
(254) 780-3512
Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR;
(501) 851-1697
Pat Willcox, Kingwood TX;
(281) 358-1750
Frequency Coordinator
Gene Kent, Tomball TX;
(281) 255-4805
AMA Display Coordinator
David Johns, Deer Park TX;
(281) 476-4820
RC Contest Coordinator
Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls
TX; (940) 691-8348;
[email protected]
CL/FF Contest Coordinator
Bill Lee, Chandler TX;
(903) 852-5599 [email protected]
District VIII Volunteers
07amanews.ar:11amanews.qxd 5/22/2009 10:15 AM Page 152
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 152