AMA News - District X Report

Richard Hanson Vice President PO Box 3312 Scottsdale AZ 85271 Voice/Fax: (888) 899-3548 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ama-1O.com/ama Associate Vice Presidents Darwin Barrie Scottsdale AZ (480)946-8955 Darlene Frederick Santa Rosa CA (707)525-8815 .. .. Don Goeschl Lancaster CA >'•' (661)940-6066 Don Gulihur Santee CA (619)449-8397 Marc Karpowich Logan UT (435) 752-3639 . : Dave Pinjuv Las Vegas NV (702)656-1772 Lucky Pyatt Garden Grove CA •. : . • (714)745-4300 Frequency Coordinators Eloy Marez Santa Ana CA (714)540-4935 (See last month's column for additional A VPs and Coordinators) The Southern Arizona Modelers gathered at the club field Sunday morning, June 2, for their monthly club meeting to support one another and to come to closure on the tragic loss of their fellow club member. On the fourth trip around the pattern Roger banked the aircraft. It turned then disappeared into the Arizona sun. In an instant the aircraft completed its turn and was headed directly back to the flightline. Before Roger could react or utter a sound, the .53-powered Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) aircraft struck him squarely in the chest, narrowly missing his friend Bob. The extraordinary blow was unfortunately fatal, and at that moment a bewildering accident beset this quiet Saturday morning. On that Saturday, May 18, 2002, the Southern Arizona Modelers lost a friend and fellow club member. Roger mostly flew on Saturdays but could also be found at club meetings and most of the club events. The club members will miss his friendly smile, his hard work, dedication, and willingness to lend a hand. Roger Wallace, 1941-2002, AMA #629703, Tucson AZ. TRAGEDY IN TUCSON: It was a beautiful, sunlit day as the Southern Arizona Modelers (SAM) gathered at their local flying site a few miles southeast of Tucson AZ. Nearly everyone was busy putting together and checking out their aircraft in preparation for the first flight of the day. Talk was of the week's activities and one another's latest modeling projects. No one could have imagined the events that were to unfold that Saturday morning. Sixty-year-old Roger Wallace, a three-year member of the SAM club, taxied his Tower Hobbies Voyager onto the runway and took off to the south into the prevailing morning breeze. His friend. Bob Peterson, stood at his side to clear the runway and to watch for traffic. The sun shone brightly from across the runway and hung a few degrees above the horizon. As the Voyager picked up speed. Roger nudged his model aircraft up off the pavement, turned, and entered the traffic pattern east of the runway. SAM members responded immediately as the tragedy unfolded at their local flying site. Bob Cleveland was one of the first to reach Roger Wallace's side, administering first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Attended by family and friends from around the country, Roger's funeral was held on May 23. Dozens of modelers were present to say a final goodbye and to express condolences to the family. Roger was also involved in motor sports and many of his racing friends and business associates also attended the funeral. Roger will be missed but not forgotten. At their June club meeting, members of the SAM club voted to rename their annual May fly-in the Roger Wallace Memorial Fly-in. The spring event will be open to all AMA members. At the meeting SAM president Jerry Knebel spoke on behalf of all the Southern Arizona Modelers in expressing their deepest sorrow in the loss of a valued club member. Jerry also expressed his appreciation to the SAM club members who responded to the emergency, and conveyed a special thanks for the assistance of Jack Shafer, Kevin Nuebert, Jim Carson, Dean Shoemaker, and Bob Cleveland. On behalf of all the members of AMA District X, 1 would like to add our condolences and deepest sympathy to the Wallace family and all the members of the Southern Arizona Modelers. Many thanks to SAM newsletter editor Mark Smith for his contribution to this report. The tragic events in Tucson brought forward some very important issues for consideration by all AMA members and AMA chartered clubs. Though not a direct issue in this instance, the first consideration is the importance of adherence to the AMA Safety Code and the operating guidelines established for each local flying site. Generally the risks involved in our hobby are considered minimal; however, a real potential for injury does exist and, as demonstrated in this incident, the results of a mishap can have devastating consequences. A second consideration for all AMA charted clubs is the development of a flying site emergency response plan. Once developed, the plan should be conspicuously posted at the flying site and should include the following: 1) the appropriate number to call to summon an emergency response, 2) the name, location and driving directions to the flying site, and 3) the global coordinates for the site location. If not plainly visible elsewhere, the plan should include the location of the first-aid kit(s) and fire extinguishers. Clubs should also ensure that their first-aid kits are adequately stocked and routinely updated. Fire extinguishers need to be inspected and certified per local fire code regulations. Safety is no accident and is all of our • responsibility. Better news next month ... a report on the 2002 NorCal Free Flight Championship. Till next time... Keep 'em safe and Keep 'em fly'n.