District III Report - 2008/04
Operation Santa Cause — Jackson County Aeromodelers (Cottageville, WV)
This year the Jackson County Aeromodelers decided to help the children of deployed troops. Club members learned that two units from West Virginia had been deployed and organized “Operation Santa Cause” on Saturday, October 6. The landing fee for the event was an unwrapped toy.
With help from Toads R/C Hobbies and the Roane County High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter, the club collected more than 150 toys and 20 new 20-inch bicycles for boys and girls. Mrs. Tackett, wife of the West Virginia Army National Guard’s General Tackett, attended and, together with the Family Readiness Group, provided food for the event and helped generate monetary donations.
Special guest Ronnie London from Air Thunder Batteries presented an impressive night-flying program. The club extends thanks to everyone who donated toys and bicycles, Toads R/C Hobbies, Ronnie London (Air Thunder Batteries), and the Roane County FFA Chapter for supporting the troops’ families.
Octurbo Fest — Oil Creek Flyers (Titusville, PA)
The newly formed Oil Creek Flyers held their first turbine meet, Octurbo Fest, on October 6. Contest Director Jack Graham and field control Rich Miller, along with club members, organized the event on a closed 4,900-foot runway provided through the cooperation of Jim Kuhn, director of the Titusville Airport Authority. Sixteen entrants and more than 20 aircraft flew in pleasant surroundings with a relaxed atmosphere. The public was welcome and treated to a great show.
Notable participants and aircraft:
- Jack Graham (CD) — JetLegends T-45 with a Wren 54 turbine (roughly 80 flights). Jack is a liaison/distributor for CamLex Enterprises.
- Dale Edinger (Erie, PA) — Boomerang XL with a RAM-1000 turbine; a large model with excellent flying characteristics.
- Jim Hiller (MA’s jet columnist) — Kit-built BVM Lockheed T-33 powered by a Wren 54 Mk III turbine; 14 pounds of thrust, flown with a JR 10S radio system.
- Norm Meeks (Pittsburgh, PA) — BVM BobCat with a RAM FTE-design turbine; delivered a strong performance.
- Bob Belluomini (Cincinnati, OH) — Grumman F-100 Super Sabre powered by a Wren 44 Gold; also displayed a JePe F-16 all-composite EDF using a 90mm JePe SpiderFan powered by an 8S battery pack.
- Joe Lewis — HP Jets F-86, 63-inch wingspan, with more than 45 flights to date.
- Dave “Turbo” Dantonio (Irwin, PA) — Graupner Comet dual EDF.
- Greg Rubin (Erie, PA) — E-Flite SuperAirliner EDF.
- Mark Palmer (Steubenville, OH) — Kit-built Reaction 54 powered by a JetCat P-60.
- Dominic Cognata (Rochester, NY) — 33-pound Skymaster F-18 and Tam Jets A-4 Skyhawk; standout performances.
- Jack “Captain Crackers” Graham — JetLegends F-15 with a JetCat P-80 turbine.
- Dave Rigotti (Chesterland, OH) — BVM KingCat.
Hats off to the Oil Creek Flyers for running a well-organized event; it's one to watch for next year. Thanks to Leo Rodriguez, District III Associate Vice President, for the information and pictures.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
