Author: Mark Smith
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/02
Page Numbers: 168

AMA News: District IX — 2007/02

Jefco RC Auction — Denver, Colorado (February 3–4, 2007)

The 32nd annual Jefco RC auction in Denver, Colorado, is scheduled for February 3–4, 2007. I will again be attending this prestigious event and staffing the AMA booth along with our new associate vice president, Jim Wallen, and the newest member of the AMA team — Executive Director Jim Cherry. Please stop by and let us get to know you!

As reported by our District Frequency Coordinator Steve Mangels: "Bring your friends and join us for a fun weekend. Food and drink on site. Plenty of free parking."

Event highlights:

  • More than $80,000 worth of RC merchandise will go across the block during this two-day event, making it one of the largest auctions in the country.
  • Although primarily aircraft-related, you will see a large selection of helicopters, cars, and boats.
  • The auction features more than 1,000 new and used items, including engines, radios, accessories, and tools.
  • From giant scale to park flyers to turbines, RTFs, ARFs, and balsa kits — you will never see a larger variety of hobby items in one place at one time.

Amenities and payment:

  • Food and lodging facilities are conveniently located within one mile of the auction site.
  • Visa and MasterCard accepted, as well as cash and checks.

For more information or to receive a flyer or preregistration information, contact Steve Mangels:

Okay, so it's really cold, but it's also a great opportunity to start or continue that new airplane project! Keep warm, have fun, and keep in touch! Mark

Odyssey to the Northern Plains (August 23–29, 2006)

As I promised last month, I want to share the details of a wonderful week of model aviation this past summer. I call it "Odyssey to the Northern Plains," and it took place August 23–29, 2006.

Shortly after I took office in early 2005, I received an invitation from the Minot Aircraft Modelers in North Dakota to attend The International Fun-Fly. I took a quick look at my road atlas and figured that I would need to pack lunch to make it up there from Kansas City — plus. I was not even sure what I was supposed to do when visiting clubs on behalf of AMA, so I regretfully declined the offer and promised to try to attend in 2006. As I learned, The International has been going on for 26 years and is well attended by our Canadian friends, who are only 45 miles north of the flying field.

By spring 2006 I had been receiving newsletters and e-mails from around the district and decided it was time to plan a week-long, 2,000-mile journey through seven states to meet as many modelers as possible. Neither my wife nor I were crazy about me driving all that distance by myself, so I coerced one of my best flying buds, Don Oppliger, to travel with me. My main goal was to visit and fly with as many District IX modelers as I could during the six-day trip.

After packing the minivan and arranging seven airplanes and two helicopters, Don and I left my home at approximately noon on Wednesday, August 23. As we were pulling out of our addition, I told Don, "Well, I think we have at least 90% of what we need." It then dawned on me that we hadn't packed any fuel, so back home we went, pledging that we were not going to return until the 29th!

Next month I'll tell you what else Don and I forgot and all the great things we did at our first stop in Omaha.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.