AMA News: District VIII-2007/12

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all! I can’t
believe I am writing the December column
already.
We have a new associate vice president
(AVP) for Central Texas. Doug Staines has
agreed to step in
to the shoes
vacated by Max
Blose.
Doug is a
longtime
modeler with
interests in RC
Scale and
Combat as well
as CL and FF.
He truly enjoys
instructing RC.
Doug is a native
of Canada and has been a member of the
Temple Aeromodelers for six years,
currently serving as the president.
Max steps down after more than18 years
as AVP, serving with four different vice
presidents. He has been a valuable and
important contributor to the district
leadership and his departure will leave a
hole that will be difficult to fill.
Doug is clearly qualified and looks
forward to working with modelers in the area.
Please give these men your handshake and
thanks for their efforts when you see them.
The 25th Annual Greater Southwest Jet
Rally was held in Waco, Texas, in
September. It attracted approximately 80
pilots with beautiful aircraft. Chuck Waller
and I enjoyed the nice weather and great
flying.
Dawn and Steve Ellzey with Dawn’s airplane.
Every time I looked up she was flying.
The Tri-City Flyers hosted several CL
Stunt pilots in Seguin, Texas. The event was
down on attendance but not on spirit or
competition. Plenty of flying went on during
the two days and the event was well
received by all in attendance.
Flying was good but taking pictures was
hard. I seldom got the airplane and the pilot
in the same photo. Delay between pushing
the button and the camera snapping is
awkward.
The seventh annual Rice Memorial, in
memory of my dad, was record setting with
112 pilots and nearly 300 airplanes.
Jim Cherry, AMA’s executive director,
attended and did quite a bit of flying.
Everyone seemed to enjoy fellowship and
the facility in Kingsbury, Texas.
Don Hirt received the Pilots’ Choice award.
Mr. Multi went to Greg Ermatinger.
The Helping Hand award went to Jennifer
Stout. She flew in her first-ever event and
worked behind the scenes to make it all come
together. Photos by Lori Ann Kirby.
Larry Hiltman shows Don Hirt where to fill
the Corsair.
My mom who is 89 was the trophy girl
again this year and handed out the prizes.
There was nearly $5,000 in prizes this year
thanks to our sponsors.
Photos of this and many other events
across the district are now available on the
District VIII Web site (ama-dist-8.org)
under the button labeled galleries.
As I write this, Dr. Sandy Frank is in critical
condition in Indianapolis, Indiana, after a car
wreck. I hope by the time you read this he
will be well on his way to recovery.
On another sad note, Stinger Wallace died
this month. He was the serving president of
the Lufkin Area RC Club and was a fixture at
events across the district. His flying skills and
personality will be missed by us all.
That is it for this month. Hope everyone has
a wonderful Christmas and begins the New
Year with beautiful new aircraft.
Have fun and fly safely! See you on the
flightline. Jim.