January 2008 189
I WANT to remind folks who send me
digital pictures that they must have a
minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Do not
reduce the file for E-mail transmission or the
pictures will be too small for publication.
My columns are written mostly about RC
events. This is because events other than RC
are rarely sent to me. We all know that there
are helicopter, Soaring, electric, and CL
events held nearly every weekend
somewhere during our flying season.
If I’m not able to cover one of those
events personally and no one forwards the
information to me, the rest of the District
VII members will not see what is going on.
But this month we do have a change.
One item is special. This letter was written
by 13-year-old Anthony Davis who is now a
member of the Lansing Area Flying Aces.
“When I started this airplane building
class, I had no idea what I was getting into.
As the weeks went by, the wood in my kit
turned into an airplane. I learned a lot from
the AMA members that were there. I’m glad
that my dad (or mom) took me every week.
“The airplane, when finished, felt really
smooth because we did a lot of sanding. It
was cool and I got to customize it with paint.
It was also kind of cool that they put a
picture of me in the cockpit.
“My airplane came to life when the
engine was put on and it was started. The
first day I went flying, I flew a trainer plane
and it was really hard at first. I got kind of
dizzy. But, after a few flights, flying the
trainer got easier.
“I am thankful for getting to borrow the
trainer plane. I am also thankful to all the
training instructors who helped me.
“Finally, I flew my own plane. I couldn’t
have done it without borrowed gas, lines,
and a handle. Thanks to all who lent me
those things.
“Five months after I first started to build
my plane, I had a chance to solo. When I
soloed with my plane for the first time, it felt
great! It was very satisfying to see my plane
in the air.
“Although I wasn’t sure what I was
getting into, I know now that flying is fun. I
really enjoy this hobby. It is a great thing to
do with my dad. Thanks again to everyone
that has been so nice and helpful.”
This is what it is all about!
Rick Kacmarsky sent in this report about
the Lansing Area Flying Aces fourth annual
Nickless Fun-Fly. The club hosted six
categories of CL flying including Fun Stunt,
1/2A Rat Race, .35 Rat Race, precision
landing, Fox 35 Combat, and craftsmanship.
The Lansing Area Flying Aces, in
conjunction with CL clubs from Flint and
Kalamazoo, Michigan, are planning a
Control Line Tour d’Michigan in 2008.
This is just part of a program of
promoting CL flying. In my opinion, this is
one of the easiest ways to get a youngster
into our hobby with a minimum of expense
for airplanes and equipment.
Check out www.amadistrictvii.org for
more information about CL flying.
Future champions at work.
Some of the many competitors.
Airplanes lined up for competition.
End of the road for someone’s airplane.
Til next time get involved, take a youngster
to your flying site, fly safely, and have fun.
C.A.V.U.
District VII
Bill Oberdieck, District VII Vice President; [email protected]
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Bill Oberdieck
Vice President
Box 1076,
Southgate MI 48195
Tel.: (734) 283-4813
Fax: (734) 283-0650
www.amadistrictvii.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Larry Brannan, Grand
Rapids MI; (616) 956-6012;
[email protected]
Ed Bucki, Rockwood MI;
(734) 379-4054; thebuckster@
sbcglobal.net
Bud Gorman, Knife River MN;
[email protected]
Don Held, Elmira MI;
(231) 584-2662; [email protected]
Tom Pierce, St. Clair MI; (810)
367-6450; tom_pierce_48079@
yahoo.com
Mark E. Robotti, North
Lindstrom MN; 76214.1624@
compuserve.com
Tom Ryan, Milwaukee WI;
(414) 881-0070; tomcat@
execpc.com
Frequency Coordinators
West: Al Schwartz, Roseville
MN; (651) 633-2286
East: Pete Waters, Northville MI;
(248) 486-4800
Flying Site Coordinator
Joe Beshar, [email protected]
Webmaster
Ed Kincer, [email protected]
District VII Volunteers
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 189