AMA News District X - 2009/06
WESTFAC II Comes to Texas
WESTFAC II is coming to Texas from California. Back in the 1980s, engineer and free-flight (FF) modeler Walt Mooney formed the 41st Flying Aces Squadron in San Diego, California. It was named the Scale Staffel—“Staffel” is the German word for squadron.
Walt and a group of builders and fliers who enjoyed FF rubber scale began an effort in California that has blossomed into four Flying Aces Squadrons. These squadrons have grown over the years; today’s members are some of the most active FF contest fliers in Southern California.
The Scale Staffel members now fly on a large three-minute field at Otay Mesa near the border in the San Diego area and hold regular FF events throughout the year.
Growth of FAC in the West
This growth in scale building and flying has been happening across the Western states. Since the 1980s, many clubs and Flying Aces Club (FAC) squadrons have formed and are active locally. That expansion highlighted the need for a new western states FAC event. Outside of the Southern California flying fields, finding suitable sites often requires convincing farmers and local politicians to support a hobby that needs a lot of space.
A new regional FAC event, now in its second season, is scheduled for September 25–27 in Gainesville, Texas. The Flying Aces have been growing by leaps and bounds—more than 32% of all FAC squadrons are now in the West—and the event is expected to draw many scale builders and fliers from the western states.
Origins of WESTFAC
This FAC regional event was created by Roger Willis, a member of Scale Staffel (FAC-41) in California, in 2006. Roger’s aim was to expand the FAC in the western states by bringing builders and fliers together from across the West. One of Roger’s flying buddies and fellow FACer, Phil Thomas of New Mexico, named the event WESTFAC.
Lin Riechel, the late Commanding Officer of the Flying Aces, was very supportive of the idea, and Flying Aces Headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania provided significant support. Ross Mayo, the new Commanding Officer, has helped keep the event growing.
WESTFAC I (2007)
The first WESTFAC was held in May 2007 at Perris, California, at the SCAMPS flying field. It was attended by fliers from nine western states, and more than 200 scale rubber and power models were flown in 10 events. WESTFAC was scheduled in odd-numbered years to avoid conflicting with the Flying Aces Nationals in Geneseo, New York (held in even-numbered years).
A new WESTFAC website was constructed by Clint Brooks, a member of the WESTFAC Working Committee. Visit www.westernfac.com to see photos from WESTFAC I and learn more about the models and fliers.
WESTFAC II (Gainesville, TX) — Event Details
WESTFAC II in Gainesville, Texas, will expand to 15 events. Scale judging will take place on Friday, September 25, with competition flown on a grass field near the Gainesville Municipal Airport. Gainesville is roughly a one-hour drive from Dallas on Interstate 35, making travel convenient for those flying in.
The plan is to rotate the event every odd year among Gainesville, Denver (Colorado), and Perris (California).
Events at Gainesville
The 15 events at Gainesville include:
- FAC Rubber Scale
- FAC Power Scale
- FAC Giant/Jumbo Scale
- WW II Combat
- WW I Combat
- Military Trainer Mass Launch
- Golden Age Scale
- Jimmie Allen
- Old-Time Cabin and Old-Time Stick
- Dime Scale
- Embryo
- Thompson Trophy
- Greve Trophy Races
These events will provide fun for the fliers and plenty of spectacle for people in and around Gainesville.
Attendance and Contact
Some of the nation’s top fliers have announced their expected attendance at WESTFAC II. Many AMA members are encouraged to roll out their building boards and visit the WESTFAC website to scope the competition.
A new e-mail distribution list has been created for WESTFAC. For timely updates, e-mail Roger Willis at [email protected] and ask to be added to the list.
For more information, contact Roger or visit www.westernfac.com.
We wish WESTFAC II much success as September draws near.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
