AMA News: District IX-2011/12
Arvada Airshow (September)
Each September the Arvada Associated Modelers put on an airshow for the general public that has become a longstanding community tradition. The event has benefited the club by strengthening relationships with the Arvada city government and by demonstrating a safe, creative way to have fun.
The day begins with one of the longest parades in Colorado. The club's float is loaded with RC aircraft of all types and typically wins an award from parade officials. During the parade, club members and families hand out flyers advertising the afternoon airshow demonstration.
The airshow attracts many pilots and primarily draws people who have had little or no exposure to RC flying — a great opportunity to showcase the hobby. Food and prizes are available, simulators are on site, and interested attendees can participate in the "You, Too Can Fly" program using buddy boxes and qualified instructors. The reactions of young pilots experiencing RC flying for the first time are unforgettable.
Photos of the event can be viewed at: http://imageevent.com/sipphoto/aircraft/aamairshow2011
IMAC Event — Propbusters (July 17)
Jim Tiller, an AVP from South Dakota, reported on the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) event hosted by the Propbusters on Saturday, July 17.
The forecast called for hot and windy conditions, but the event experienced 100° heat rather than wind. Despite the unusual heat for South Dakota, organizers completed three full IMAC rounds with 10 registered pilots.
- Basic category competitors:
- Doc McGuigan
- Bob Olson
- Mike Rossman
- Chad Olson
- Jim Tiller
- Clint Outka
- Wade Outka
- Pilots who moved up to Sportsman:
- Gene Jobjen
- Clancy Kingsbury
- Zac Roller
Competition notes:
- Pilot judging was used: Sportsman pilots judged Basic competitors, and Basic competitors judged Sportsman pilots.
- The first round started around 8:30 a.m., with each pilot flying two sequences per flight. A takeoff crash sidelined Jim Flora before he could score any maneuvers. After the first round, Zac Roller led Sportsman and Wade Outka led Basic.
- The second round began just after 11 a.m. Scoring and logistics improved with familiarity, though Mike Rossman lost rudder control on his Cap and suffered serious damage in a hard landing. Leaders remained unchanged after round two, but positions near the top shuffled.
- After a short break, round three started around 2 p.m. The final round went smoothly and scores tightened with improved flying.
Results and acknowledgments:
- Zac Roller won the Sportsman category.
- Chad Olson edged out Wade Outka for the Basic trophy.
- Score entry into the computer was largely done by Alan Kammert (Jim Kammert's son) — thanks for several hot hours of data entry.
- Food was provided by the Central High School baseball team; their "sloppy dogs" were a favorite and helped raise funds.
- The event received positive feedback from participants and spectators. Having last year's experience made planning, scoring, and logistics easier.
- The consensus is to hold the event again next year. Several local fliers are now listed on the northwest IMAC site scoreboard.
- Many thanks to everyone who helped make the second annual event a success.
Control Line (CL) Resurgence
Control line (CL) activities appear to be making a resurgence within the hobby. Members who did CL as kids are dusting off old equipment and giving it new life.
Brenda Schuette, District IX CL associate vice president (AVP) in Kansas, is the editor of Top Class News, a CL newsletter. If you feel the "CL itch," contact Brenda at [email protected] — she can be a great resource for questions about the world of control line.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
