192 MODEL AVIATION
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2009 brings
all that you want and plenty of great flying
weather!
I have a follow-up on previous comments
about hurricane damage. Eleven District
VIII clubs have received AMA Disaster
Relief Funds to restore their runways to a
usable condition.
The clubs in Texas include the Texas
City RC Club, Houston; Mid-County R C
Club, Nederland; South Houston Area RC
Club; Alvin RC Modelers Association,
Alvin; and the Jetero RC Club, Humble.
Clubs receiving funds in Louisiana
include the Baton Rouge RC Club, Baton
Rouge; Bayouland RC club in Thibodaux;
the New Orleans Model Airplane Club, RC
Fields Inc. in Metairie; the Ringmasters in
New Orleans; and North Shore RC Club,
Slidell.
Of the other two clubs that applied for
assistance, one is still pending additional
information and the other did not satisfy the
requirements of the program.
By the time you read this, all clubs will
be well on their way to normal operations.
The Mid-County runway in Nederland,
Texas, was a mess after the hurricane.
Traveling from San Antonio to Houston
with Rex O’Connor for my son Gary’s
graduation from college, we stopped in
Schulenburg, Texas, at the Stanzel Model
Aircraft Museum. We thoroughly enjoyed
the visit and, although we are both lifelong
modelers, we learned much about Victor and
Joseph Stanzel at the museum.
The Stanzel Museum sign is indicative of the
quality of the entire facility.
This is a must-see for anyone with an
interest in the history of modeling. Many
aircraft, movies, and interactive displays
entertain visitors. Eugenia Reeves, museum
manager, and Anita Stanzel Srubar were
kind enough to spend some extra time with
us as guides and escorts.
What a great side trip if you have a
couple of hours to spend. There is a new
museum, the old factory, and the family
home restored to its original state. There is
plenty for the entire family to enjoy!
We lost two significant modelers in
October. Kyle Foote of Conroe, Texas
(near Houston), was an AMA member for
10 of his 19 years. He was a fine young
man with an interest in all phases of
modeling, while also working on several
full-scale ratings. His smile and
enthusiasm will be missed at flying events
and swap meets across the district.
Frank Parmenter of Georgetown, Texas,
was a Hall of Fame member, Life Member,
Leader Member, CD, and a well-known
designer and competitor in the FF
community.
We have lost part of our future and a
piece of our past both in one week. These
losses demonstrate how fragile life is and
make it even more important that we enjoy
every second we spend with those people
who help us enjoy our sport. My heart goes
out to these families.
The Austin Radio Control Association was
the scene of the Texas Club 40
Championship races. Twenty-six pilots flew
42 heats in less than four hours. Five pilots
broke the old record for fast time and Bob
Petrinic is the current record holder.
Pilot prizes included an LA Racer and
Skyraider Mach II from Airborne Models.
Many people put in many hours planning
and running this series of races throughout
the year, but much thanks goes to Chuck
Waller, Jim Duda, and Bernie (Crash)
Siegel for their yearlong efforts.
The Texas Championship Club Race winners:
(L-R) Chuck Waller, fourth; Jason Oliver,
third; Gary Fisher, fifth; Jason Duda, first;
and Jeff Large, second.
I hope your winter season brings many new
projects and good swap meet action so you
can have a great new year.
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
Associate Vice
Presidents
Lester L. Barry, Bethany OK;
(405) 789-5373
Bill Fulmer, Gretna LA;
(504) 392-3620
Jack Hogan, Chandler TX;
(903) 849-4193 (Evenings)
Mark S. Johnston, Albuquerque
NM; (505) 823-0158
Jim D. Marshall, Mission TX;
(956) 585-6446
Douglas E. Powell, Wichita Falls
TX; (940) 691-8348
Randy Ritch, Magnolia TX; (281)
701-3121
Doug Staines, Belton TX;
(254) 780-3512
Ron Stanfield, Maumelle AR;
(501) 851-1697
Pat Willcox, Kingwood TX;
(281) 358-1750
Frequency Coordinator
North: Joe DuMond, Ft. Worth
TX; (817) 457-6685
South: Gene Kent, Tomball TX;
(281) 255-4805
AMA Display Coordinator
David Johns, Deer Park TX;
(281) 476-4820
Safety Coordinator
Chuck Waller, Canyon Lake TX;
(210) 563-4246
District VIII Volunteers
01amanews.qxp 11/25/2008 10:09 AM Page 192
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 192