AMA News: District VIII-2012/11
Big Bird 2012
Jack Matlock and I attended the Austin RC Association’s Big Bird 2012 event in August. The weather was nice and everyone had a good time.
The hardest-working person at the event was the club president, Doug Nelle. He was hauling groceries, setting up PA systems, acting as interim CD, and taking time to visit with everyone at the event. All clubs need a few people like that; it is usually someone the president can lean on for help. I know there are many others in that club who worked hard, but Doug set the pace for everyone.
Young pilots
Will Gohmert was likely the youngest pilot at the event. He is 12 and has been flying for three years. He has a couple of nice gas 3-D airplanes that he can put through the paces. He was a pleasure to visit with. In fact, I watched him approach another youngster, extend his hand, and introduce himself. Adults could learn from him.
His grandfather, Skip, keeps a close watch on him and has helped him grow within the hobby. I tried to take a picture of the tail on the airplane he was flying, but it is too blurry to print. It says “Sponsored by: Papaw’s Savings and Loan. Financing Dreams Since 1977.”
Newest flier in the Rice family
Since my time is short, maybe you will forgive me for blatantly bragging about the newest flier in the Rice family. Son Gary’s youngest daughter, Hannah, is 9, and she asked if I would teach her how to fly. We signed her up for AMA and gave her my father’s old AMA number. I took her to fly with her other grandfather’s antique Kadet Senior. It was a pretty neat day. She was flying with her Opa (that’s me), using her grandpa’s airplane and with her great-grandfather’s AMA number.
She did well, so we advanced her to an aileron LT-40 the next day. The battery had an intermittent open connection and we lost the airplane. I tried to save it but there was no response. That didn’t deter us. She has had two more lessons and is progressing well.
Reflections and farewells
My time as your district vice president is winding down. I think I will take part of each of the next few columns to say thanks and farewell.
I feel certain that when my father joined AMA in 1936, he had no idea of the impact this organization could have on the future of model aviation and both his and his son’s futures. I wish that he had been able to observe and enjoy my tenure as district vice president. I hope I wouldn’t have been a disappointment to him, but I am thankful that he put modeling DNA in my veins and the basic values of life into me.
I have truly met thousands of modelers around the district and across the U.S. It is amazing how our common interest in modeling can quickly establish lasting relationships.
I don’t have any idea how many events I have attended in the last six years, but it is a bunch. I enjoyed them all, but if pressed to pick a favorite, I would say that my trip to Plainview, Texas, to fly with that indoor group in the Ollie Liner Center was a highlight. What a great bunch of people — they live for the next time they are able to rent that building. They make the most of the time they have it rented and truly enjoy each other’s company. Special thanks to Royce, Reegan, and Britton May.
A quick thought about my friend Jim Cherry, who passed from this Earth way too soon. I am thankful I had the opportunity to enjoy his and his lovely wife Lynn’s company. We lose the good guys way too soon.
Closing
More later; this column is way too short to say it all. Have fun and fly safely. See you on the flightline.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
