AMA News District VIII - 2009/03

161 MODEL AVIATION
HOPE EVERYONE has survived the
winter well. We should be getting back in
the full swing of flying soon.
Do a complete preflight on each aircraft
before taking it flying. Treat it like it is its
first day ever to go flying, that way you
will check everything. Cycle batteries,
check control lines for fraying, and check
timers to make sure they will cut off and
dethermalize on time.
Hinges may have fatigued from last
year’s use and fuel tanks may have
developed problems because all of the
lines have dried out. Be ready when the
time is ready.
Jack Hogan sent the following report with
pictures by Hal Ussary.
“The Soaring League of North Texas
hosted the 23rd annual Tournament of
North Texas (TNT) for three days in mid
October 2008, at the famous Southfork
Ranch. Cool nights and warm, cloudless
skies created great competitive Soaring
weather.
“Soaring pilots from the West Coast to
East Coast gathered to compete during the
three-day TNT event.
John Freeman watches son Sean’s flight.
Sean is a future champion!
Gerald Baxter shows good DLG launch
technique.
“To emphasize the level of competition,
out of a possible 11,000 points, 402 points
separated the top five constants in pursuit
of the Overall Champion with only 1 point
separating the top two pilots. Fred Weaver
left with the revolving trophy with a point
score of 10,497.”
Barry Kennedy, CD for Unlimited Class,
helps Overall Champion Fred Weaver show
his winnings.
Bill Fulmer, associate vice president
(AVP) for Louisiana, has decided to retire
from his duties after serving for five years.
He has attended many events and provided
reports and information on them.
Unfortunately for us, family concerns
cause him to need to turn his attention
elsewhere. I thank him for his years of
service and wish him well.
As we lose an old member of the
District VIII team, we welcome an
energetic and talented new volunteer. Don
“Pete” Boudreaux of Verdunville,
Louisiana, brings 56 years of modeling
experience and 32 years of crop dusting to
the job with him.
He has flown rubber power and Control
Line, but is especially fond of Giant Scale
warbirds, both single and twin, and float
planes. He is a member of several clubs in
Louisiana and in Texas.
If you see him don’t be surprised. He
has been known to wear two different
colored shoes and occasionally have
painted toenails. He has survived 17 fullscale
airplane crashes, two heart attacks,
and has raised two sons, so with that kind
of fortitude, I won’t question his foot
treatments.
Pete Boudreaux is our new AVP for
Louisiana. His motto is “Have planes will
travel.”
Much thanks to both of these guys and
to all of the other volunteers in the district
who give of their time and energy to help
keep our great organization running and
focused on membership and member
services! When you see any of these guys
shake their hands and tell them thanks.
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
Pete Boudreaux, Franklin LA;
(337) 836-5478
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
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
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