AMA News-District IX - 2009/01
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! 2008 was a wonderful, exciting, and very busy year for the Smiths. It seemed as though every weekend was booked with travel to various flying events, and 2009 promises to be even more exciting!
We continue to have much going on around the district. The following are a few of the events that were submitted.
Hutch Bunch and the Kansas Cosmosphere Aviation Camp
Hutch Bunch friend Jim Harris, from Hutchinson, Kansas, sent in this report:
"Every summer the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center holds an aviation camp for high school students. The students come from all across the United States and other countries. Among the many events, students get some experience on several RC aircraft simulators located at the Cosmosphere.
"The Hutch Bunch RC club participates by inviting the students to the flying field for demonstrations and some hands-on, buddy-box flying. High winds put a damper on this year's event, but the students got a good look at the equipment and saw that these models will still fly in 30- to 35-mph winds. They enjoyed their visit despite the weather."
District trip with AVP Jim Wallen
As many of you know, Associate Vice President (AVP) Jim Wallen and I made a nine-day trip around the district, meeting, flying, and visiting with 12 clubs, covering five states, and more than 2,300 miles.
Rather than write about the whole trip at once, I plan to interject portions of our journey during the next few months, starting with our last day on the road. We traveled from Lincoln to Omaha, Nebraska, to fly in the morning with several of the Omahawks.
One really cool thing at the field was club member Joe Cole, who flew a rather large autogyro: the DAG-R1. I have two different autogyros and, believe me, neither of mine flies like his. I asked Joe for a brief overview to share with you.
Autogyro: DAG-R1 (Joe Cole)
"The DAG-R1 is becoming popular to the scratch builder. It is a wonderful flying autogyro, can be flown in tight areas, and has the look and feel of a '30s-styled bird. It is the perfect first-time autogyro for the experienced pilot.
"The build is straightforward and the plans were very easy to follow. Most of the body is made from 1/4" balsa sticks and went together in less than a week. It flies easily with a 40LA, but I converted mine to electric.
"For more information you can go to http://home.att.net/~imsofaman/wba.htm or do a search on the internet for DAG autogyro."
WRCC 2009 Auction
"The 2009 auction will be on Saturday, February 7, beginning at 8 a.m. Once again, it will be at the 4-H building on the corner of 21st North and Ridge Road. If people desire more information or want forms to preregister as sellers, go to www.flywrcc.org. Alternatively, they can send me an email at [email protected] and I will help them out.
"I think that events like this are as much about socializing as they are about buying things. There are guys that I like very much but I only get to see them a few times a year at big RC events."
Key auction details:
- Date & time: Saturday, February 7 — 8:00 a.m.
- Location: 4-H building, corner of 21st North and Ridge Road
- Info/forms: www.flywrcc.org
- Contact: [email protected]
Pro Bros 3-D Event — Franklin County Flyers
As many of you know, I support the Pro Bros because they certainly have fun and represent a younger crowd of modelers. I was unable to attend the only Kansas Pro Bro event, but brother Troy Hamm sent me the following report:
"The Franklin County Flyers of Wellsville, Kansas, hosted the South Kansas City Pro Bro 3-D event on September 5–6. There were 25 registered fliers and over 40 spectators in attendance. Pilots came from places as far away as Springfield, Missouri; Lake of the Ozarks; and Fulton, Missouri.
"They flew from 8 a.m. until dark and then flew foamies under portable lights until well into the night. The Franklin County Flyers did a wonderful job hosting the event and everyone had a great time. The event was topped off by a catered barbecue supper on Saturday evening."
Thanks again for all the support from around the district and let's make 2009 even better! Have fun!
Mark
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
