District IX - 2008/07
Park Pilot Field
Hi, folks! Exciting news: AMA has its first Park Pilot field. Greg Clemensen, District X Associate Vice President from the Las Vegas area, got the ball rolling; they now have an AMA-chartered club and field. It’s our hope to have these fields spread across the United States to attract many people to this great hobby. Please continue to support this program.
Contest Coordinator
Introducing District IX’s new contest coordinator: Mac Strader.
Judy Gerkin has been a longtime, faithful worker for our district and will retire. Judy, we all truly appreciate your work over the many years as our district contest coordinator.
A gentleman I have known for years, Mac Strader, has assumed this position and pledges to do his best to process your sanctions accurately and in a timely fashion. As with any new job, there is a learning curve, so we all need to have patience and give Mac our support. On behalf of the entire district, thank you, Mac, for taking on this important position.
From Mac Strader
“I’ve been involved in RC flying since 1976 when my wife decided to get me a hobby. This was a year after an automobile accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down. I was living in California and we decided to move back to the Kansas City area because of family.
“I finished learning how to fly at the Shawnee Mission Radio Control Club in 1984 and have been an instructor for our club since. At one time I was the webmaster for our club’s website and have held most of the positions in the club. I still instruct and look forward to being your AMA District IX Contest Coordinator.”
Jefco Auction and Recognition
AMA executives recognized Jefco members at the club’s annual auction. The Jefco Aeromod'lers held another very successful auction, selling 1,329 items over two long days. A big thank-you goes out to AMA Frequency Coordinator Steve Mangels for his continued efforts in making this event successful each year.
At noon, during the height of the auction, the club stopped to recognize its membership. They noted:
- the fifth-year wedding anniversary of Doug and Lora Knowlton,
- District Service awards presented to Bruce Ream and Bill Zimmerman,
- and recognition of the entire club, individually.
— Michael Peterson
As many of you know, I am extremely proud of our clubs that make the extra effort to achieve Leader Club status. This recognition is important to the security of your flying site because it sets your club apart as one that cares about the community.
To my knowledge, the Jefco Aeromod'lers are the only club to achieve Gold Level status for 15 consecutive years. Dave Mathewson, AMA’s president, and Jim Cherry, AMA’s executive director, made it a priority to travel to Denver to present the award to the club members.
In Memoriam: Jim McManus
The Jefco Aeromod'lers have lost a notable member. Several have sent notice about Jim McManus’s passing. Newsletter editor Michael Peterson wrote a remembrance:
“After a valiant but losing battle to cancer, Jim McManus left us on March 10 for that final flight west. His warmth and open friendship were shared by many, especially those he taught to fly RC. Jim was passionate about flying in all its forms; he and I shared many stories about all aspects of aviation.
“Jim was co-CD for our IMAC (International Miniature Aircraft Club) events, along with Brian Pesch. He trained many of us in the fine points of judging IMAC and using ARESTI symbology.
“Many have sent in memories of good times with Jim. Mary Alice McManus sent some information. Jim was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on January 4, 1939. He passed in his home in Roxborough Park on March 10, 2008.
“RC flying was Jim’s passion—more than merely a hobby. Aerobatic competition brought him many challenges and much satisfaction. His home away from home was the field at Chatfield State Park, and instructing new pilots gave him special pleasure.
“Jim retired from Lockheed-Martin in December of 1994. He waged a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Survivors are:
- his wife, Mary Alice;
- son, James Jr.;
- daughters, Debra and Susan;
- granddaughters, Brittany and Rachelle.”
District IX Website and Forums
Jim Shaw, our District IX webmaster, wrote:
“www.amadistrict-ix.org is your passport to the Web site. Along with the site, we have instituted a ‘Forums’ section for our users. Here you can communicate with fellow modelers, ask questions of interest, and contact your district officers. This forum is the result of many requests for more functions and ways to communicate and let everyone know what is going on in our modeling lives.
“We are always open to suggestions that will benefit the members of our district. Sign on, look around, and let us know if there is anything else we can do to help you enjoy the world’s greatest hobby.”
That’s it for this month. Keep in touch and have fun!
Mark
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
