AMA News
Flying Site Assistance
Joe Beshar Coordinator, Eastern Region, Districts I to VI 198 Merritt Dr. Oradell NJ 07649 Fax: (201) 261-0223 Tel.: (201) 261-1281 E-mail: [email protected]
Wes De Cou, Coordinator Western Region Districts VII to XI
Voice: (480) 460-9466 Cell: (480) 540 3368 Fax: (480) 460-9434 E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
RADIO INTERFERENCE: Desirable and long-needed, especially with the dramatic growth of park flyers, I have succeeded in locating a communications receiver that detects radio frequency interference.
The Alinco DJ-X2T is compact and conveniently handheld, detecting interference with intensity. The AMA Technical Department checked it as satisfactory, as did Dan Dispenza, an electronic technician who reported it as excellent. Dan can be reached at (201) 444-2842.
The receiver is available at electronic supply outlets. Lentini Communications, 21 Garfield St., Newington CT 06111, offers it to AMA members at the discount price of $219.95, postpaid. The telephone number is (800) 666-0908.
Runway Construction: Controlled Density Fill (CDF). I want to share this letter from Mike Barbee, Flying Site Assistance volunteer and master scale builder, flier, and competitor, where he cites some of his experiences.
Mike is in the concrete construction business and outlines a very interesting method of installing a runway with Controlled Density Fill.
"My name is Mike Barbee and I have been involved in RC aeromodelling for the past 22 years. During this time I have been a member of the Westerville Model Aeronautics Association, an AMA chartered club.
"My livelihood for the past 26 years has been my concrete construction business, Barbee Concrete Construction. Due to my construction background, I am frequently involved in construction of new club flying sites.
"As many club members throughout this country have experienced, just when things are going well and the grass is looking green and smooth, you lose the site.
"I have been involved in developing five sites that our club was able to use, but after a tremendous amount of hard work from road-building to runway-beveling and seeding, one site only lasted a short year.
"During the site development meetings, we were faced with a variety of opinions about what type of runway, what direction it should run, how long should it be, and worst of all, how much will it all cost. There was only one occasion when we could actually address whether or not to build a paved runway. It was on this occasion that I did some research within my field: concrete.
"In 1985 I was on the committee to obtain a new club flying site. This was different because it looked like we would not be subjected to neighbor complaints or flyover problems. Our lease would be with the Army Corps of Engineers.
"The downside of the agreement was that they would provide just the land but all construction would be done by the club pending the Corps' approval.
"We developed a five-year plan to build the field. The agreement stated that we could pay for and build anything that was approved by the Corps, but if we were asked to leave, we had to take it with us.
"We operate with a five-year lease that costs our club $1 a year. We care for roughly seven acres as part of this agreement.
"Now that you know the background, here is an idea I had several years ago. Many clubs enjoy a paved runway but not many new clubs can afford a concrete or blacktop strip 400-feet long and 30-feet wide. In our case, we would love to have a concrete runway, and I could do it, but we would have to take it with us if asked to leave.
"Five years ago I was doing some concrete street repair work for an excavating contractor. The underground utilities were covered with a material called Controlled Density Fill, or CDF, supplied by most concrete ready-mix companies.
"CDF is what is known as a 'lean' concrete mix. Basically it is just common cement: 1½ to 2 bags per yard of material and sand. When the material is used as backfill over utilities or sewer lines, it can be excavated and dug up just like hard, compacted dirt. Another property of CDF is that it remains porous. It is much more stable than gravel, yet just as porous.
"For those of you who have an engineering background, it has a PSI of around 130 to 500—that is pounds per square inch. By comparison, regular concrete has a PSI of 3,000 to 4,000.
"We are not landing a 747 on our runway, so why overdo it?
"I have not tried this, but I think CDF would work as a runway. First of all, it is very easy to place or work. It is delivered at about the consistency of soup. All you have to do is excavate the runway area.
"I would use from two to three inches of this material. Unlike concrete, this material can be leveled easily and needs no finish; however, a light broom could be used across the runway. Club members could help and you wouldn't need to hire professionals to build the runway.
"The surface will be hard, with a drying time of approximately three hours. The surface will also be porous just about like your grass runway.
"Because its PSI is only 130 to 500, it will seem slightly spongy. I think this will allow for good tire grip and less sliding of the wheels.
"The factor I think really makes it feasible is the cost. I have been quoted prices of about half that of regular concrete. In our area CDF sells for about $46 to $49 per cubic yard.
"You can figure for a 2½-inch-thick pad, which I believe is adequate. You can get 150 square feet per cubic yard. A 300-foot by 30-foot runway would take 60 cubic yards of CDF, costing about $2,920. If this were regular concrete, the cost would be $7,900, and blacktop would be approximately $6,000.
"Another reason to consider this method of paving would be that if the runway had to be removed, it would be easy to do with almost no equipment, just hand labor.
"From time to time in our area there are some suppliers who will donate material for the projects of a club or nonprofit organization. They are more likely to donate CDF than regular concrete.
"I have not tried this process, but will be happy to talk more with anyone interested."
Mike Barbee can be reached at the following: E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (614) 891-1643 Tel.: (614) 891-1643 Work: (614) 206-5589 the newcomer after the first successful solo flight tells it all.
Clubs that provide certain days for the beginner, or maiden-flight days, seem to be the clubs that have a growing membership. Very informative meetings for learning take place. There are active members involved, and these clubs are seen to be successful.
Another aspect of a successful club is its youth program.
What is a youth program? It might be working with youngsters at a mall show, helping them to build a type of simple model airplane. It could be cooperating with a school, coaching teams and individuals who will enter the Technology Student Association flight challenge programs or the Science Olympiad flight programs. An after-school group or Scout group could be introduced to our sport with information that can be found on the AMA Web page (www.modelaircraft.org) and WebWings (www.webwings.org).
There is a great deal of satisfaction in introducing youngsters to the sport of model flying. Free Flight, both Indoor and Outdoor, is probably the highest form of modeling. Once you launch, everything has to work. This is the flying that really teaches one how and why a model flies.
Control Line requires stamina, not getting dizzy, and learning to fly upwind, downwind, and crosswind twice each lap. Radio Control requires that you must picture yourself inside the model as you turn and twist through the sky.
There is, of course, much more than just flying; designing and building are a big part of the sport for many. There is something for everyone. Let's educate the non modeler and have them join us in the fun.
In speaking to youngsters already involved in the sport, one thing becomes quite clear: they like the competition.
How early in life can they start? Well, below is an example of a second-grader who wrote about his activity. He has flown at the Nats since 1998, and competes in local contests.
There are four pages to his story. Page one shows him flying with his dad on the ground, dizzy from assisting him. Page two shows the model on the workbench with lights above. Page three is again flying the model. Page four is him with a trophy, and Dad crying because didn't do as well as his son.
The second-grader's name is Aaron Bauer, and dad is Peter Bauer.
(Editor's note: The Mystery Aviator described on page 80 of the August issue is Roscoe Turner.)
Executive VP's Report
Doug Holland AMA Executive VP
3517 Fernwood Dr. Raleigh NC 27612 (Home) (919) 787-5163 (Office) (919) 787-7454
THIS MONTH you have the opportunity to read the "Statement of Activities." It tells you the amount of revenue that exceeded the expenses for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Read the line "Excess of Revenue over Expenses from Operations." Not a bad year.
Read the line "Increase in Net Assets" — a very good year!
Call me if you have any questions.
This riddle comes from my granddaughter: The longer it falls, the higher it gets. What is it? Snow.
Until later ...
District I Report
Connecticut / Maine / Massachusetts / New Hampshire / Rhode Island / Vermont
Don Krafft Vice President
PO Box 1828 Duxbury MA 02331-1828 (781) 934-6248
Associate Vice Presidents
James M. Semonian, 166 Allen Road, Billerica MA 01821-5240 M.C. McGuffin, 116 Hillview Avenue, Houlton ME 04730-2312 Harry S. Newman, 36 Sherwood Drive, Hooksett NH 03106-1077 Richard Sherman, 30 High Street, Plymouth NH 03264-1223 Andrew Argenio, 3 Sheila Ave., Smithfield RI 02917 Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan Street, Avon CT 06001-2230
Frequency Coordinator Joel Chappell, 21 Billings Street, Milford NH 03055-3906 Ph. (603) 883-3876
NEW HEADQUARTERS Administration Building: The building was completed and the staff members moved in during March. The Executive Council (EC) held its first meeting there in April. The building is beautiful and the staff members seem very pleased with the new environment.
There is considerable talent of various kinds on the AMA EC. Many of the members give considerable time and energy to benefit the members. I hope the membership appreciates the efforts these people make.
Connecticut Model Airplane Club: Andy Figlar sent the following material to me.
"Connecticut Model Airplane Club (CMAC) president Carmen Luciano and vice president Andy Figlar gave a three-hour demonstration and lecture at the Easton Library, Saturday, January 15, 2000.
"Carmen spoke about the history of Radio Control (RC) model flying and I spoke on the history of model flying, from rubber-band Free Flight all the way up to today's ARFs (Almost Ready to Flys). A variety of Free Flight, Control Line, Electric, and Radio Control was exhibited for static display, as well as for hands-on discussion by Carmen and myself.
"The pictures show the interest created by us in the Easton CT area. We volunteered and provided flights with RC trainers on Saturday, June 24 to about two dozen people ranging in age from a seven-year-old girl to a 75-year-old man. Afterward, as is the custom with CMAC events, we cooked burgers and hot dogs and fed everyone. The event began at 9:30 a.m. and ended about 2 p.m.
"The Board of Directors of CMAC has always felt that the support of this kind of event promotes aeromodeling and good will within the community. It is worth the expenditure in manpower and money."
District II Report
New Jersey/ New York/ Europe
Dave Mathewson Vice President
7271 State Fair Blvd., Baldwinsville NY 13027 Day: (315) 635-1038 Eve: (315) 727-4275 FAX: (315) 635-1039 E-mail: [email protected] Web page: http://www.amadistrictii.org
Associate Vice Presidents
Roy A. Brown, USAE AF CENT CMR 460 BOX 585 APO AE 09070 E-mail: [email protected] Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Avenue, Holbrook NY 11741, (631) 737-6327 Jim Eble Jr., 3101 Marne Hwy., Mt. Laurel NJ 08054 Gary Fitch, 1219 Slab City Rd., Franklinville, NY 14737 (716) 676-2498 Ray Juschkus, 59 Livingston Street, St. James NY 11780 Tel: (631) 862-5589 Jim Lewis, P.O. 61, Ogdensburg NY 13669-0061 Tom Murray, 31 Voorhees Drive, Basking Ridge NJ 07920 Ernie Nickodem, 407 Willow Street, Lockport NY 14094 Bill Poythress, 2 Hemlock Court, Saugerties NY 12477 Adam Sattler, 41 Perry Avenue, Latham NY 12110-2433 Peter Seiffert, 8636 Grey Birch Dr., Baldwinsville, NY, 13027-1732. Frequency Coordinator Dan Williams, 27 Treeline Dr., Liverpool NY 13090 (315) 652-7740; E-mail: [email protected]
THE WESTERN New York Free Flight Society held their annual contest in Orchard Park NY on May 12. The site was the indoor practice facility of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills.
Picture a football field with a roof over it and you'll get some idea of what a magnificent site this is for indoor flying. Free Fliers from several states and Canada participated in different competitive events flown throughout the day. In addition, several modelers just came to do some open flying and to take advantage of the facility.
Bill Underkofler from Vestal NY launches his rubber-powered ornithopter.
Also, this year an unofficial Science Olympiad event was run. Dr. Vern Hacker drove from Cleveland to run this program and spent the day working with the dozen or so students who showed up to fly and trim their models.
Dr. Vern Hacker helps Doug Schaefer weigh his Science Olympiad entry.
It seems like it's been every month lately that I've had the unfortunate need to write of a member's passing. This month is no exception.
On April 7, Henry Orzech passed away at the age of 86. He was past president of the Union Model Airplane Club and had been active in the hobby since the 1930s.
Earlier this year, the Central Jersey Radio Club awarded Henry a lifetime membership for his decades of contributions to the hobby.
Interestingly, Henry held a pilot's license actually signed by Orville Wright.
AMA member Ray Muller wrote to let me know that Vinnie Massar was tragically killed in a car accident in March.
Ray wrote, "Vinnie knew more about airplanes and engines than anyone I have ever met. If not for his patience and what he taught me, I would not be teaching others to fly. I know there are many fliers whom he taught how to fly.
"I felt honored to have known him and hope wherever he is there is plenty of room to fly."
The Hillsdale Flyers are the first and possibly only AMA chartered Electric Control Line (ECL) club.
Organized by George Yatsko, the club works closely with the Borough of Hillsdale NJ to fulfill its mission of introducing young people from Hillsdale to the excitement of model aviation.
George has developed a structured program that takes participants from classroom activities, to building and flying Delta Darts, to finally successfully soloing an Electric CL model.
The program was so well-conceived that the Hillsdale Flyers were awarded both a grant from the Borough of Hillsdale and a YES (Youth Education Stipend) grant administered by AMA's Education Committee.
These funds will be used to continue efforts to provide the children of Hillsdale with a wholesome, worthwhile, recreational and educational experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
Hillsdale Mayor Tim O'Reilly, left, and AMA District II Vice President Dave Mathewson, second from right, present grant checks to Hillsdale members George Yatsko and Joe Raher. Borough Administrator Harold Karns, on the right, looks on.
Al Kanser wrote to say that on Saturday, May 26, the Oneonta R/C Flyers, with the assistance of IMAA Chapter 553 and the Flying Deuces, staged a demonstration fly-in for the Cub Scout Carnival at the annual Cherry Valley Days.
In spite of many showers and occasional ceilings of less than 20 feet, many flights were made much to the delight of the audience.
In addition the Oneonta R/C Flyers, along with the World Miniature Warbird Association, will be hosting a combined Warbird/Big Bird Rally again this year near Oneonta in late September.
Looking down the flightline at Oneonta's Cherry Valley Days.
Finally this month, Lou Re wrote to say that the Edgewood Flyers held their Spring Fun Fly on May 19. CDed by Edgewood Membership Director Charles Panci, more than 40 pilots came out for the day to enjoy fun, flying, and food and beverages cooked up by some excellent chefs.
The Fun Fly had three events. There was a timed contest of ground-handling ability won by Charles Panci, a timed event with a series of maneuvers won by Gordon Simon, and a limbo won by Bob West.
Afterward, items donated by local hobby shops were raffled off with Waldo Warshaw taking home the grand prize. Congratulations to all the winners.
Edgewood Flyers Fun Fly Participants.
See you at the field.
AMA News
DURING MY years of tenure as your Vice President (VP), I have become aware of situations I feel hinder the Academy. One of these problems is the existence of geographical districts. Quite often I have heard VPs make statements that are overly protective to their constituents.
Following recent discussions with Dave Matthesow, VP for District II, we have agreed to share the services of Associate Vice Presidents (AVPs) within our districts. Our idea is to provide effective, immediate service to our membership.
To accomplish this, we jointly asked Dan Luchaco of Sayre PA to become a new AVP to assist the modelers in Northeastern Pennsylvania and South-central New York. We have asked Dan to introduce himself and here is what he has to say:
"I am 51 years old and have been involved in the model airplane hobby since age five. That was when my father, George, began flying Radio Control (RC) and I have evolved through the hobby since that time.
"My brother Dave and I built and flew—or tried to fly—any and every type of aircraft we could get our hands on, with most of the equipment being hand-me-downs from club members.
"I am a member of the Valley R/C Club of Sayre PA, AMA 580. I have held all offices of the club and am currently the secretary/treasurer. I became an AMA Contest Director in 1975 and will help our club host its 29th Annual Competition Fun Fly this July. I am a charter member of the NCFFA (National Competition Fun Fly Association) and am currently secretary of that AMA Special Interest Group.
"Our club has been associated with area clubs in fun-fly and Sport Pylon Racing events. I have competed in model contests since 1971 and I have experience on both the entrant and operations side of a contest from the local to national level.
"Our club has had five flying sites through the years and I have been involved with the politics of obtaining a site from both private and public sources. Our current site is in a township-owned park, which we have had since 1984.
"I attend many social, trade show, and flying events each year and I have participated in many hobby promotions at mall shows and public demonstrations. Our club has always supported youth activities such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Boy and Girl Scouts. I believe the future of our hobby is in our youth.
"As an AVP, I am willing to represent the AMA at your events and will do my best to meet your requests. We have a great hobby and should always remember that a hobby is 'something that a person likes to do in his or her spare time.' Don't make it the whole of your hobby and always fly safely."
Dan is no neophyte to model aviation or club activity. If you are in need of his services, please contact him. The particulars are:
Dan Luchaco 605 Stevenson St. Sayre PA 18840 Home telephone: (570) 888-1856 E-mail: [email protected]
One of the most progressive clubs in District III is the Blennerhassett Area RC Club. Their membership is located in the area of Parkersburg WV and Belpre OH. A positive effort within the club's leadership has created a very positive and energetic membership.
On Memorial Day weekend the club honored Jim Ramsey for his efforts in aeromodeling and club activity. The Jim Ramsey Fly In was a great success. During the meet, the club hosted a meeting with area club officials and me. Positive discussion was directed in the current happenings of the Academy and in positive club leadership/membership.
To those in attendance, the event was very enjoyable. Why not do the same in your area? A special thanks to the individual club members who provided great food and lodging to my wife and me. Plans are already being made to make next year's event bigger and better!
The Blennerhassett event allowed us to visit with old and new friends. The highlight was meeting four-and-a-half-year-old Tristan Cline and his parents Vivian and Kevin.
Tristan is quite the pilot. Loops, rolls, spins, and complicated maneuvers are common for this young man. He can also provide great communication on the microphone.
The key to Tristan's success appears to be a computer flight simulator and great parents.
JoAnne Brown provided the following pictures of the activity at Blennerhassett.
District IV Report
FROM THE information I see in a lot of the district newsletters, this is the time of year to order new hats, jackets, and shirts.
I hope all of you District IV clubs are getting a price quote from AMA on those supplies. AMA is an excellent source for your club hats, jackets, T-shirts, and golf shirts. AMA can also supply you with club banners with your artwork or club logo. From what I have seen so far, AMA can be a very competitive pricewise. Their product is also top grade.
How about letting them give you a quote? After all, it is your organization. Why not support it?
Bliss Teague, Associate Vice President (AVP) from North Carolina, sent in the photographs below from the Camp Jeep® planning meeting in the conference room of the new AMA administration building.
John Stare, AVP from Delaware, sent in the following photos taken at the Delaware History Museum's open house. The Delaware RC Club supported the event. John Kirkstein was the man in charge.
If you have not planned your vacation yet, how about coming out to Muncie to take a look at your International Flying Site. Bring your aircraft and enjoy flying, visiting the museum, and seeing the new administration building.
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AMA News
Think back to the days when you were a visitor/beginner at "doing model airplanes," seeking information and/or instruction. Were you made to feel welcome?
The visitors, spectators, and newcomers have shown an interest in our hobby/sport by going out of their way to come to the hobby shop, stop by your charter club's flying field, or stop and inquire at your fly-in or mall show.
You are the single most important ambassador for model aviation. Check your attitude!
AMA, the glue that bonds modelers together!
While visiting Southern Louisiana I attended the 14th Annual Memorial Day Giant Fun Fly at the Gold Mine Plantation in Edgard LA. It was hosted by the Crescent City RC Club of New Orleans, IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association) Chapter 295. I also got to visit the Hobby Hut at 709 David Dr., Metairie LA, and its proprietor, Mike Tafaro (shown below on the right). We discussed at length problems confronting a local hobby shop owner and programs which the AMA has available to provide assistance.
Shown on the left is my "bon ami" Bill Fulmer, Houma LA, who navigated through the winding back roads that parallel the Mississippi River so that I could locate the Crescent City RC Club's flying field.
The following photographs were taken at the 14th Annual Memorial Day Giant Fun Fly hosted by the Crescent City RC Club of New Orleans.
Shown above center is the Contest Director, David A. Schwartz Jr. (E-mail: [email protected]) and his delightful wife Sherri Schwartz who skillfully ran registration for the event.
This is Mike Sauls performing an absolutely awesome display of IMAC (International Miniature Aerobatic Club) Freestyle maneuvers with his DA-150.
Shown above is the crowd reacting to Mike Sauls' performance. It was a sight to behold!
In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank all who participated as exhibitors, volunteer workers, and attendees at the Southwest Aeromodeling Conference 2001.
It is you all who have made this event what it has become! Thank you!
Flying, Fun, & Fellowship!
Sandy Frank
AMA News
The IMAA Rally of Giants, held in Gillette WY June 6-10, is over and was a great success. The weatherman cooperated for the entire five-day event.
The Antelope Squadron and the Sagehoppers were the host clubs and did an outstanding job of entertaining and running the event for the pilots and the spectators. There were 174 pilots registered for this event.
One note is that the surrounding club members were excellent volunteers and good support for the two host clubs. Volunteers came from as far as Montana and South Dakota.
A complete report with photos and the necessary information will be in a following column. Next year the Rally will be held at the AMA International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie IN.
Thanks to all the AMA members who stopped by the booth for information and just plain hangar talk. It was nice to meet with you and share some concerns and new ideas for the AMA.
The following are some aeromodeling Web sites you may find interesting.
AMA - www.modelaircraft.org Airtronics - www.airtronics.net Balsa USA - www.balsausa.com Crystal River R/C - www.xtalwind.net/rc Futaba Radios - www.futabarc.com Hitec - www.Hitecrcd.com Hobby Lobby - www.hobby-lobby.com Hobby People - www.hobbypeople.net Horizon Hobbies - www.horizonhobby.com JR Radios - www.jraudios.com MPI (radio gear) - www.maxxprod.com PICA - www.picaweb.com RC Combat Association - www.rccombat.com R/C Online - www.rconline.com R/C Web - www.towerhobbies.com/rcweb.html Sig - www.sigmfg.com SPAD - www.spad.org Tower Hobbies - www.towerhobbies.com
From the Newsletter of the Pikes Peak Radio Control Club comes the following bit of humor supplied by Ed Price:
Web Wit
You might be an RC modeler if ... You lean over your just-finished new aircraft to brush off a bug and drop a screwdriver out of your shirt pocket that trips through the wing MonoKote®. You are making an inverted low pass then pull "UP" on the elevator. You have taken your plane off with the igniter still clipped to the engine's glow plug. You ever had to jump over your airplane as you were landing it. You have more than one scar on your "cranking" hand. You have fuel stains on your new sneakers. You are shopping for land to build your dream home on, and would rather have flat, open pasture land than rolling wooded hills. You spend more time browsing Tower Hobbies catalogs than the TV Guide. You will go flying when it's 104, but won't cut the grass for your wife "cause it's too hot out there." You have 47 miscellaneous Ni-Cd batteries and can't find a pair of D cells for your flashlight. Your O.S. engine purrs like a kitten but the family car will barely run. You see your wife ironing while wearing a thin nighty and it reminds you of the MonoKote® job you need to finish.
DISTRICT X REPORT
Arizona / California / Hawaii / Guam / Nevada / Utah
Richard Hanson Vice President PO Box 3312 Scottsdale AZ 85271 Voice/Fax: (888) 899-3548 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ama-d10.com/amer
Associate Vice Presidents
Glenn Carter Walnut Creek CA (925) 933-2086 Jim Giffin Sacramento CA (916) 638-4283 Michael Harrington Kaneohe HI (808) 239-6682 Kai Jensen Reno NV (775) 329-6403 Bill Malvey Ladera Ranch CA (949) 481-8621 Bob Reynolds Tucson AZ (520) 296-8183
Frequency Coordinators George Steiner Sacramento CA (916) 362-1962
(See last month's column for additional AVPs and Coordinators)
IT IS WITH deep regret that I report the passing of two very prominent modelers.
Fred Terzian of San Jose reports that Free Flighter Steve Geraghty passed away May 23. He suffered a viral infection when returning to San Jose from Idaho.
Steve was a strong member and supporter of the Oakland Cloud Dusters, the Southern California Aero Team (SCAT), the National Free Flight Society, AMA, and numerous FAI Free Flight team programs and world championships.
Most recently Steve assisted Bill Vanderbeek and Fred Terzian in running the Northern California Free Flight Championships in May.
Steve was a personal friend and tremendous asset to model aviation.
Gary Hoyer of Redwood City CA reports the loss of Ron Schorr of North Hollywood. Ron was one of the key advocates of Pylon Racing. His true passion was in Formula I where he competed actively until the mid-1990s. In recent years Ron continued his support of the event by sponsoring several Formula I races in the Los Angeles area.
Ron succumbed to a chronic illness and passed away in his home on the morning of May 22, 2001.
Ron's successes were many. Some included winning the 1978 Nats in Formula I. He was president of the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association five times and manager of the 1995 F3D Pylon team.
Ron's passing is truly the passing of an era. Ron was Pylon racing to many of us. He was the kind of guy that you loved him or did not, but regardless ... you respected him.
Steve and Ron will be dearly missed.
Till next time ... Keep 'em safe and Keep 'em fly'n.
District XI Report
Alaska / Idaho / Montana / Oregon / Washington
Bruce Nelson Vice President
807 E. Vicksburg St., Spokane WA 99208 [email protected] (509) 326-4828 Office Fax (509) 467-1852 Home Ph./Fax
Web page: http://www.olynwa.com/yosemiteflash/xiana.htm
Associate Vice Presidents
Al Culver, Box 86, Winter ID 83676 E-mail: [email protected]
Jerry Holcomb 1010 NE 122nd Ave., Vancouver WA 98684
Reeves Lippincott, 4400 Gray Wolf Dr., Wasilla AK 99654 E-mail: [email protected]
Mike Hazel, 1073 Windermere Dr. NW, Salem OR 97304 E-mail: [email protected]
Richard Snarr, 781 Lillooet Ct., LaConner WA 98257
Chick Young, 7411 154 Ave. E. #14, Sumner WA 98390
Frequency Coordinator Phil Tallman Medical Lake WA (509) 299-5102
I WANT to thank all you newsletter editors who send me your club newsletters. I receive five or six a day and read them all.
The more I read the more I realize how much we all have in common. I read an article and remember when our club or another one had a similar problem.
I enjoy keeping in touch with all of you and appreciate being kept in the information loop.
Last January the members of Portland Area Model Aircraft Association, a group made up of the Radio Control (RC) clubs in the Portland/Vancouver metro area, presented an AMA award plaque to Lt. Col. Sonny Newson. Col. Newson's support has helped the group obtain a flying site on the National Guard site near Clackamas OR.
Lt. Col. Newson has also helped with site development at the field. The plaque was put together by AMA's Custom Merchandising Department, and according to Roger Weeks, AMA did a great job for them on the plaque.
Groups of clubs working together in their communities can be very successful in finding and developing flying sites. Great job, guys!
On the weekend of May 4-6, the Wenatchee Red Apple Flyers held a fun-fly event, and on the Sunday afternoon, staged a flying show for the public. There were so many people there that cars filled the parking lot, the approach road, and were even parked along the nearby road.
There were many spectacular displays, including some of the best helicopter flying I have ever seen. This is a great public relations tool, inviting the public to see what their club and this hobby is all about.
The Red Apple Flyers have a great flying field but I was most impressed with their newly implemented safety procedures. They have designated areas for starting aircraft, taxi lanes, engine cutoff lines, and pilots' station barricades.
Further, they use spotters for each pilot (something I like when I'm flying, kind of like a Seeing Eye dog). All kidding aside, I like having a spotter.
They have also posted a poster on their clubhouse describing their operation. This is a good aid for someone who is visiting the field for the first time. A lot of thought toward safety has gone on here.
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Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
