June 2009 159
DC/RC 2008 Summer Camp: The Al
Anderson Summer Camp took place from
July 28 through August 1 at the District of
Columbia Radio Control Club’s field in
Montgomery County, Maryland. The day
began at 8 a.m. and ended at approximately
noon. Our 10 campers’ ages ranged from 11
to 16 years old. This is the camp’s third year.
The winds for the week were light and
variable—less than 10 mph. Each day was
sunny without any rain: really perfect weather
for learning to fly.
After a lesson about field rules and safety
around models, especially whirling propellers,
the campers were divided into three groups.
One flew with an instructor, while another
worked on building an Alpha 60, and the third
group was introduced to the flight simulator
on three portable computers.
At roughly one-hour intervals, the groups
were shuffled so everyone had a chance to
participate in each activity. Each day, time
was set aside for some classroom-type
training such as theory of flight, engine
tuning, and cleaning up airplanes before
storing them.
The amount of experience that the students
had was from never flown to those with a dad
or grandfather involved in RC. Everyone was
encouraged to try all the venues and ask as
many questions as they liked. The campers
surprised us with the questions they asked and
how they soaked up the answers. Their
enthusiasm was boundless.
Two campers were certified, and all were
invited to the August meeting for an
introduction to the club where each student
received a certificate.
The summer camp was organized by camp
director Ed Leibolt. The flight instructors
were Ron Bozzonetti, Don Gray, Terry Lamb,
Jose Sanchez, and Ed Liebolt. Bob Yount
provided the expertise for engine tuning the
Evolution 60, advice on building the ARF,
and some theory of flight.
The campers got hands-on experience
using cyanoacrylate and epoxies on an
airframe from the trash can by Bill Garner,
David Drazin, and Ira Glickman.
This is certainly proof that our hobby/sport
holds interest and fascination for the younger
generation. Flight has that irresistible pull on
youngsters that is a marvel to experience. We
can pass our knowledge on, knowing that they
will have the same wonderment that we feel.
Keep ’em flying!
—David Drazin
The Caldwell Aero Modelers hosted the
newly formed Southern Pylon Racing
Association’s inaugural race on January 31,
2009. They raced an entry class called
Quickie 25 around a 400-foot, two-pole
course, taking advantage of the recent rule
change 540-B for slower class racing. As the
racers proved, the slower classes are exciting.
Ten pilots traveled from across North
Carolina, and spectators came from as far as
Atlanta, to get in on the racing action.
Although temperatures were below
freezing in the morning, it is obvious that
there is a desire to race in the area.
The Quickie 25 class is a great way to get
involved in Pylon Racing, taking advantage of
proven, inexpensive equipment. The engine
used is the reliable O.S. .25 FX, turning an
APC 8 x 6 propeller, and burning supplied
fuel to keep things even.
The airframes are any AMA 424 legal
Quickie 500 models, either ARF or selfdesigned.
Dave Keats brought his 30-plusyear-
old Spickler Quickie and was very
competitive until one of the pylons jumped in
his way, ending a great run for both the model
and the pilot.
Several pilots raced Vipers and Predator
ARFs with the rest of the racers fielding their
own-design airplanes such as Bob Harris’s
BuckShot and Jim Katz’s Kats Meow. It was
great to see renewed interest in designing and
building innovative models at an event.
It turned out to be a beautiful Carolina
blue-sky day, with the temperature rising
above the 40° mark by the end of the event.
Jim Katz ended up winning the overall race,
as well as taking the fastest time award.
Please visit the Southern Pylon Racing
Association’s Web site at
www.pylonracing.org for more pictures, rules,
and a list of upcoming races in the area. We
have a nice schedule this season for the
seasoned racer as well as the rookie. We hope
to see you at one of our events as either a
racer or a helper.
Photos by Perry Reade, Jesse Brinson, and
David Glascork.
—Vic Welland
A chilly day
but hot racing.
Jay Marsh and
his Diaper—a
combination of
a Dodger and
a Viper.
District IV
Bliss Teague, District IV Vice President; [email protected]
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia
Bliss Teague
Vice President
625 5th Ave. SW,
Hickory NC 28602
Tel.: (828) 324-2164
Fax: (828) 267-0956
[email protected]
Associate Vice
Presidents
George Abbott, Raleigh NC;
(919) 848-6719;
[email protected]
Randy Elliott, Radford VA;
Home: (540) 239-0645; Office:
(540) 994-2316;
[email protected]
Chuck Foreman, Kill Devil Hills
NC; (252) 441-5855;
[email protected]
David Jones, Newport NC;
(252) 727-4750;
[email protected]
Ron King, Gainesville VA; (703)
765-1608; [email protected]
John Kirchstein, Newark DE;
(302) 731-2831;
[email protected]
Richard (Rick) Moreland,
Edgewater MD; (301) 261-7366;
[email protected]
Steve Moulton, Chesapeake VA;
(757) 421-4545;
[email protected]
Contest Coordinators:
RC: Andy Kane, 305 Natick Ct.,
Silver Spring MD 20905; (301)
785-3022; [email protected]
FF and CL: John Tate, 10
Hanbury Ave., Portsmouth VA
23702; [email protected]
Frequency Coordinator and
Safety Coordinator: Brad
Booth, 8416 Racine Road,
Pleasant Garden NC 27313; (336)
685-0088; [email protected]
Di s t r i c t IV Vo l u n t e e r s
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Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/06
Page Numbers: 159