Author: Bliss Teague
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/12
Page Numbers: 179

District IV - 2006/12

Changes in District IV

Will Hicks has been appointed the safety coordinator for District IV. Will’s contact information can be found in the column header.

I want to thank Tom McClain for his years of service as one of District IV’s associate vice presidents (AVPs) in Virginia. Tom has resigned and is moving to Arizona.

New AVP: Ron King

Ron King from Gainesville, Virginia, will become the new AVP.

  • Began modeling in 1960 and has been an AMA member since 1964.
  • CD (contest director), Leader Member, and Life Member.
  • Grew up flying FF (free flight) and CL (control line) with the Tulsa Glue Dobbers in Oklahoma.
  • Flew CL Carrier, Team Racing, and Speed throughout college and was introduced to digital proportional RC (radio control) in 1970.
  • Has competed in CL events and RC Pattern, Pylon, Soaring, Scale, and Helicopter.
  • Member of the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) and the National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA), both AMA Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
  • Currently a member of three clubs and a former member of several others.

Welcome, Ron!

East Coast Hand-Launch Classic 2006

The East Coast Hand-Launch Classic was held May 6–7, 2006, in Baltimore, Maryland, sponsored by the Baltimore Area Soaring Society (BASS).

  • Sixteen pilots competed on the first day in eight rounds of varied tasks, from quick eight 1-minute flights in eight minutes to more demanding 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-minute flights within a 10-minute flight window.
  • Winds were calm during the first morning but built to gusts of 28 knots by midafternoon, challenging even the most experienced pilots. In the last round of day one, five of the 9-ounce airplanes were lost in the trees; four were recovered.
  • Top results, day one:
  1. Tom Kiesling
  2. Shane Spickler
  3. Phil Barnes
  4. Erich Schlitzkus (CD)
  5. Don Vetter
  • Sunday conditions were perfect: light winds and sunny skies. With replacement airplanes available, 19 pilots competed on day two. Average scores were 200 to 500 points higher on the second day with the same eight tasks.
  • Top results, day two:
  1. Phil Barnes
  2. Joe Wurts
  3. Tom Kiesling
  4. Don Vetter (BASS)
  5. Russ Bennett (BASS)

Thanks to BASS member Dudley Whitney for this report.

Discus hand launch

Discus hand launch is a variation of soaring using lightweight, roughly 9-ounce gliders. Key points:

  • Gliders are launched like a discus: the pilot holds the glider from a peg at the end of one wing, makes at least a 360° turn, and hurls the glider upward.
  • Launch heights are typically 100 feet or more.
  • Wing loading is about 4.2 ounces per square foot, so the models stay aloft easily.
  • Thin wing chord helps the gliders penetrate well through the air.

West Hickory Four Star 40 race

This spring the West Hickory Aero Modelers, Inc., held an informal Four Star 40 race for local modelers.

  • Airplanes: Sig Four Star 40s
  • Engines: .40 stock engines
  • Fuel: club-furnished
  • Entrants rotated through different race positions to keep the event moving; helpers and spectators also enjoyed the day.
  • The race was inexpensive and fun; everyone had a great time and another race is planned for the near future.

Until next time, teach a kid to fly.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.