AMA News District X - 2007/05
East Valley Aviators — Gold Leader Club
On Wednesday, March 7, the East Valley Aviators (EVA) of Mesa, Arizona, received AMA's Leader Club award, designating the club as District X's newest Gold Leader Club.
This distinction recognizes the club's achievements in the areas of:
- Safety
- Community involvement
- Youth and education
- Promotion of model aviation
Scale Squadron recognition
On February 12, Squadron member Joni Whitsitt, a volunteer for the Friends of Santa Ana Toys for Kids benefit, presented the Scale Squadron of Southern California with a recognition award from the city for the club's contribution to the 2006 campaign. The event provided toys for more than 3,100 kids in the Santa Ana community.
Gary Holderness recognized
At the Monday night club meeting, Gary Holderness was recognized for his efforts in organizing the club's finances and for always being there when the Squadron needed him. Scale Squadron president Randy Wilbur presented the award.
2007 Arizona Electric Festival
January 25–28, the Superstition Airpark in Mesa's Usery Mountain Park was the site of one of the largest (if not the largest) electric fly-ins west of the Mississippi. Throughout the weekend the 2007 Arizona Electric Festival enjoyed nearly perfect weather. The parking lot was filled to capacity, and it was standing room only in the spectator areas and pits. Hosted by the Arizona Model Aviators, the fly-in recorded:
- More than 200 participants
- 500-plus aircraft
- Nearly 100 sponsors
On Saturday it was nearly impossible to traverse the pits, and event organizers imposed a two-airplane limit on the number of aircraft each participant could bring into the pits at one time.
Despite the large attendance, the fly-in came off without a hitch, and by all accounts the Electric Festival was a hit. Our congratulations and thanks go out to Contest Director (CD) Bob Ruff and Austin Goodwin, the event organizers, the sponsors, and all the members of the Arizona Model Aviators who made this event a huge success.
The 2007 Arizona Electric Festival drew aircraft of all shapes and sizes — these weren't park flyers and they're not your dad's electric airplanes. Today's technology allows the replacement of gas- and glow-powered engines with electric motors in everything from .40-size trainers to multiengine scale models, 1/4-scale aerobatic aircraft, and 100+ mph ducted-fan jets.
Till next time... Keep 'em safe and keep 'em flyin'.
Rich Hanson
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
