February 2006 175
I WANT to introduce Jim Martin as the new
associate vice president (AVP) for the area
around Dayton, Ohio. Jim has written the
following brief résumé so that you might
have some idea of his experience in
aeromodeling.
“My father was active in model aviation
when I was born so consequently I have been
involved in model aviation since birth. I flew
my first CL airplane when I was four years
old. When I was 13, I built a Heathkit fivechannel
radio system.
“After I graduated from high school, I
went to work for a Beechcraft dealership in
its avionics department. During this time I
designed my own models of the aircraft that I
either flew in or worked on. I received my
pilot’s certificate when I was 19.
“That same year, 1974, I entered my first
contest flying a Scale model which I designed
of the aircraft I received my flight training in.
I also started designing twin-engine models
of the aircraft that I worked on. Many of
these models were what we now call Giant
Scale. I had to manufacture my own hinges,
control horns, etc., because the modeling
industry did not have anything available at
that time for that size of model.
“I have been president, vice president,
secretary, and a board member of several
clubs in the Dayton, Ohio, area. I am a
member and past team manager of the
Buckeye Aero Squadron, AMA Show Team
#106. I am one of the original members of the
Dayton Ohio Giant Scalers that hosts one of
the country’s largest Giant Scale fly-ins each
year at the Air Force Museum.
“I studied Electrical Engineering
Technology at Sinclair Community College
and Electrical Engineering at Wright State
University. As part of my duties with the
Federal Aviation Administration, I have
attended classes on aircraft certification,
system safety, and accident investigation. I
am a certificated aircraft mechanic.”
Bob Brown welcomes AVP Jim Martin.
The JR Indoor Festival in Columbus, Ohio,
is an event to put on everyone’s schedule. If
you are interested in Indoor electric flying,
this event provides a mecca for the enthusiast.
This year, Terry Nitsch was awarded the
AMA Fellow award. Those of you who know
Terry can confirm his positive efforts within
the modeling world. Congratulations, Terry!
Terry Nitsch receives the AMA Fellow award.
Chuck Westfall provided the following
information:
“The mountains of West Virginia were
buzzing with model aircraft trainers on
Father’s Day weekend. The Jackson County
Aeromodelers and the Flying Hillbillies clubs
were at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West
Virginia.
“Camp Dawson is an Army National
Guard training center and every year it comes
alive with military kids, mostly from West
Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, and the Washington
D.C. area, who attend this camp referred to as
Kids Kamp.
“The camp director is retired SMG Gary
Conley. He approached me and asked if we
could do something new at Kids Kamp. I
advised him that we could buddy-box the
kids. Buddy-box the kids?
“I said, ‘Yes and we can utilize RC
aircraft with a buddy-box so the kids can
learn to fly RC aircraft with out crashing.’ He
indicated this would be great, so the rest is
history and our second year for both clubs
was extremely successful.
“This year we were able to buddy-box 246
kids and some adults in one day. Perhaps this
is a record. Our clubs are not concerned with
the numbers. Introducing these kids and adults
to AMA and aeromodeling was our goal.
“Talk about inquisitive kids! They had all
kinds of questions. They wanted to know,
‘How high do they fly?’ ‘How fast can they
fly?’ ‘Can I do a loop?’
“With their eager eyes they watched their
airplanes fly through the sky. The instructors
showed them how to do a loop, rolls, and
other maneuvers. In their words, ‘This is
cool, really cool!’
“Our clubs agree; it is cool. As the day
came to an end we put on a small air show.
The aircraft that made smoke and other
models with speed kept the kids on edge for
the complete show.
“Our clubs believe the successful Kids
Kamp day for aviation was the result of team
effort. As president, I am proud to be apart of
the Aeromodelers Team and AMA. We’re
already planning another great event for the
kids next year.”
Club president Chuck Westfall has fun with
future junior fliers.
Campers with one of the trainers purchased
with AMA grant funds.
District III
Bob Brown, District III Vice President; [email protected]
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
Associate Vice Presidents:
Randy Adams, Fairfield OH;
(513) 858-3154;
[email protected]
Mike Barbee, Delaware OH;
(740)362-5545;
[email protected]
David H. Ellis, Cross Lanes
WV; (304) 776-1408
Nelson Gould, Macungie PA;
(610) 395-9159
Dan Luchaco, Sayre PA;
(570) 888-1856;
[email protected]
Jim Martin, Franklin OH;
(937) 260-0143
Leo Rodriguez, New Stanton
PA; (724) 925-0159;
[email protected]
Matthew Turowski, Drums
PA; (570) 788-0661;
[email protected]
Joseph S. Vislay, Maumee OH;
(419) 893-9537;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Ron Morgan, Scotland PA;
(717) 264-7425;
[email protected] D
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Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/02
Page Numbers: 175