176 MODEL AVIATION
ACTIVITY is high in District VIII. Charles
Stevens, the associate vice president (AVP)
for the Greater Houston Area, has elected to
retire and let a new volunteer take over. He
has served for many vice presidents and has
been a faithful supporter of AMA activities.
Charlie and his wife Marilyn have
provided years of loyal and dedicated
volunteer service, attending events and
visiting modelers across the Southwest. I
appreciate their tireless efforts and they will
be missed.
As Charlie steps down, a respected and
energetic volunteer has accepted my offer to
assume Charlie’s duties. Pat Willcox,
president of the Jetero club in Humble and
longtime modeler is our new AVP for the
area. Pat was highly recommended by
modelers around the district and I am glad he
accepted the challenge.
I look forward to Pat joining our team and
providing new energy and perspective to the
district. Please let these men know you
appreciate their efforts.
The First Annual Texas Indoor New Year
(TINY) event was held in San Angelo, Texas,
February 10. There were more than 50
participants and a large number of spectators.
Slow flyers to 3-D machines filled the
Coliseum.
Impromptu Pylon races, manufacturer
demonstrations, and hover-off competitions
plus an evening Pattern competition kept the
pilots and organizers busy. Extensive videos
and pictures are available from our district
videographer Steve Koelle at
www.Icanflyrc.com.
Pattern competitors included Byrd third
from left and Chitty second from right who
tied for first. Steve Koelle photos.
Six-year-old Parker Rathbun (L) flew an Eflite
Tribute very well! Brian Chitty (R)
wowed the crowd all day with superb
aerobatic shows.
The Tri City Flyers’ swap meet in Garden
Ridge, Texas, was a huge success both for
traders and as a fundraiser for the club.
Organizer George Sheffield did a great job
and as you can see in the pictures there was
plenty of excitement and eagerness to get
just the right item.
Scott Carpenter (L) doesn’t want Robert
Staton to beat him to the prize! Koelle
photos.
Part of the crowd at the swap meet.
Jack Matlock and I attended the Flight Fest
in Edinburg, Texas, which may have been
the last days of flying on the field at the
local airport. City officials advised that the
field would be closed after the event, so
everyone made an extra effort to enjoy the
field they have used for the last 12 years.
Forces are rallied to try to save the field.
Even if it is lost, the Tejas RC bunch will
survive because they have a great core of
modelers who will make it happen. Roughly
50 pilots enjoyed 96º temperature and superb
flying conditions in February. Everything
from small indoor-capable electrics to a 50-
pound twin Quadra 75-powered Grumman
F8F Tigercat by Rick Michelina were flown.
Jason Danhakl made five demonstration
flights, wowing the crowd with extreme 3-D
maneuvers and freestyle routines to music.
CD Bert Hahn did a great job and the huge
crowd of spectators appreciated the flying.
I made 12 flights with four biplanes that I
took. Eight-year-old Ricky Martinez was the
youngest pilot I saw flying. He made several
flights with an electric park flyer in winds
that would challenge any pilot. I hope by the
time you read this the club has a viable field
and is planning its 2008 Flight Fest. Jack
Matlock provided the photos below.
Left: Rick Martinez watches son Ricky (8) fly.
Right: I presented Jason Danhakl an award
for great aerobatic demonstrations.
CD Bert Hahn runs a very good meet.
Rick Michelina flies his beautiful Tigercat.
Have fun and fly safely. See you on the
flightline. Jim
District VIII
Jim Rice, District VIII Vice President; [email protected]
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Jim Rice
Vice President
118 E. Wright
Blvd., Universal
City TX 78148
Tel.: (210) 213-
0299 (evenings)
www.AMA-Dist-
8.org
For a complete listing of
district officers, please see
the District VII1 Web site at
www.AMA-Dist-8.org.
District VIII
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/05
Page Numbers: 176