AMA News - District X - 2009/01
Southwest Regional IMAC Championships — Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas hosted the annual Southwest Regional International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Championships at Bennett Field on September 27–28. The Tournament of Champions has made this site famous as the Holy Grail of aerobatics. Thirty-seven pilots convened to determine the final placement for the six states in the region.
Tim and Sherry May once again planned, directed, scored, and compiled all of the results for the contest and the region. Greg Clemenson, District X associate vice president, took most of the pictures at the contest.
Winners:
- Unlimited: Bill Hempel
- Advanced: Bernie Boland
- Intermediate: Evan Curto
- Sportsman: Jason Benson
- Basic: Dominic Grasso
The regional standings for 2008 were identical to the contest results except for Basic, which was won by Don Barrett. The contest enjoyed ideal weather and a great time was had by all participants.
Tucson Aerobatic Shootout — TIMPA, near Tucson, Arizona
Ten days later the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout kicked off. This is the World Series of scale precision flying. Desert Aircraft leads the way by sponsoring this event every year. Pilots compete nationally hoping to qualify for the field in six categories.
This year featured a number of international pilots from:
- Austria
- Germany
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Mexico
- Northern Ireland
- Switzerland
The total prize money and gifts equaled around $100,000. So many sponsors contributed that it would be difficult to list them all here.
Mark Leseberg Jr. won the Invitational Class (20 pilots from around the world). He also won the entertaining Free Style competition, which is separate from the precision flying.
Other winners:
- Unlimited: Adam Bry
- Advanced: Ryan Archer
- Intermediate: Cody McClean
- Sportsman: Kyle Goodwine
TIMPA, just outside Saguaro National Park near Tucson, does a terrific job hosting the contest, with Michael Marcellin as the contest director. Seventy of the world's best pilots came and gave their best. Except for one windy day, it was a superb contest; credit is deserved by the many who contributed to this premiere event.
Harold Bettis 90th Birthday — Silent Electric Flyers, San Diego
Harold Bettis turned 90 and was feted by his friends in the Silent Electric Flyers club of San Diego. Everyone enjoyed Donell’s pancakes and sausage, with a birthday cake to boot. Harold’s close friend Don Griffin and cohorts put together the celebration.
Harold celebrated calmly, even when a Marilyn Monroe impersonator strolled up to sing Happy Birthday. He enjoyed the breakfast, the cake, the performance, and then took out his Easy Star and flew above San Diego Bay near SeaWorld.
Harold has been modeling for more years than most of us have been alive and is a real character. How many modelers do you know who are still doing it at 90? How many guys get Happy Birthday sung to them like this?
Thanks to Tim Attaway, associate vice president in California, for covering these events this month.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
