AMA News: District III-2007/12

CD BUCK HAMRICK provided this
report on Wally’s Squadron 16th Annual
Fly-In.
“The skies over Phillips Run Road in
Summersville, West Virginia, started filling
up with the sights and sounds of model
aviation a week before the Wally’s Squadron
16th Annual Fly-In.
“What started out as a local picnic has
turned into one of District III’s biggest and
best events. One hundred and six pilots from
seven states—West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia,
Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, and
Florida—came to fly, eat, visit with friends,
and have a great time.
“This event is free to all who attend—
pilots and spectators. Free food is served on
Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, local Boy
Scout Troop 107 of Summersville served the
pilots and their families dinner. Many thanks
go out to them for a job well done! All of the
pilots responded with generous donations to
the Scouts for their work.
“Thanks to our hobby shop sponsors as
well as the community of Summersville, we
had more than $1,000 worth of RC-related
door prizes to give to the registered pilots.
Hobby shops included: Apex Hobbies and
Apex Hobbies II of Tazewell, Virginia, and
Princeton, West Virginia; Toads RC Hobbies
of Ripley, West Virginia; J&C Hobbies of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and T&K Hobbies
of Daniels, West Virginia.
“Two raffles were held to help raise
money to hold
the event, one
for a Hangar 9
RTF P-51
donated by
Toads Hobbies
and the second
was for a large,
stainless steel,
gas grill. There
were several
hundred
aircraft ranging
from mini
electrics to a
40% gasser,
helicopters, a
couple turbine
jets, and even a
witch on a
broom. Who
could ask for
more?
“Next year
we hope to be
bigger and
better and just
as fun and
relaxing as
always.
We will have
slot times
every hour for
helicopter
fliers so they
can fly close
without the
fixed-wing
guys buzzing them and the fixed wing guys
won’t have to watch for 3-foot blades
coming at them. We are making plans to
have a helicopter seminar by Jeff Sumey of
Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
“The 17th
annual event will
be August 16-17,
2008. We look
forward to seeing
old friends and
meeting new
ones.”
For more information about Wally’s
Squadron, visit www.wallys-squadron.com.
RORKS Veterans Day Out: On September
11, 2007, while many Americans were
remembering the World Trade Center tragedy,
Associate Vice President Jim Martin attended
the Ross Ohio Radio Kontrol Society
(RORKS) fourth annual Veterans
Appreciation Day to honor the local veterans
in their community.
RORKS club member Bill Phillips and his
wife Brenda had contacted Becky Cryder,
Program Coordinator for the Chillicothe
Veterans Hospital, about allowing the club to
serve lunch and perform a flying
demonstration for some of the veterans. A
buddy-box session would also ensue, time and
weather permitting. Ms. Cryder enlisted Patty
Leach to assist her with the veterans.
Becky, Patty, and 10 veterans arrived at
the flying field at approximately 10 a.m.
RORKS members put in some flights and
then it was time for lunch. Bill and Brenda
Phillips provided a wonderful lunch for
everyone.
The weather did not cooperate well this
year. There was a stiff crosswind and the
buddy-box session was put on hold until next
year. Several club members and I were able to
put in a few more flights after lunch.
Everyone with whom I spoke enjoyed their
time at the field that day. The club is planning
to honor the veterans again next year.
Veterans and the club members.
Club president Charlie Lee overseeing model
preparation.
Wally and Susie Henderson.
Wally spent countless hours
teaching our people to fly
RC, hence the name Wally’s
Squadron.
Jeff Sumey (L) trying to run
off with Leo Rodriquez’s
pilot drawing prize
Above: George and
Shirley Jeffery and
their Electric Bee.
Left: Marvin Dilley
flew this “ol’ gal”
around nicely.