District IX - 2008/09

September 2008 165
SUMMER is winding down, but this is the
best time for flying because the temperatures
have cooled a bit.
I received the following E-mail from
Dennis Schardt concerning removing
airplanes from trees. Flying bud Rick
Canslor, from the Kansas City area, showed
me his slingshot with a fishing reel attached
to it. It worked super!
Maybe you have some ideas to share with
the District IX folks. Please read and enjoy!
“Dear Mr. Smith,
“In your column in the May issue of MA
you mentioned about an airplane in a tree
only 25 feet up. The pilot claimed it would
take a chain saw to get it out. I have been
getting airplanes out of trees for 30 years and
have a 100% success rate without having to
resort to chain saws or bucket trucks.
“I have not figured out if it is a lack of
piloting skills, trying to fly in too small of a
space, or that trees and airplanes are
magnetic to each other. Maybe it’s that trees
are trying to get back at us for cutting balsa
and spruce trees down to get our supplies.
“When I go flying I always take along a
fishing rod and a roll of heavy cord. When an
airplane decides to take a break by parking
on some lofty branch, I get out the fishing
rod and put a practice bobber on the end of
the line. You want to cast over the branch
that plane is caught on. It may take a few
casts depending on your fishing skills.
“Once you have the bobber over the
branch, let it come down to the ground and
fasten on the end of the cord. Slowly pull it
up over the branch and back down to you.
Then with another person, or even by
yourself, grab both ends of the cord and start
shaking the branch. At times when the plane
is out on the end, you can bend the branch
enough for the plane to slide off.
“Before cutting down a tree you better
know who owns it. I was in the timber
business for a few years and some trees are
worth more than a plane and the gear. You
can also use a sling shot or bow and arrow to
get a line over a branch. Don’t ask.
“Been out through your district, except
for Nebraska, and trees were scarce in a lot
of it.
“Thank you for giving of your time to
keep AMA going.”
Thanks, Dennis, for sharing your wisdom!
For the umpteenth time, I attended the
Weak Signals’ Toledo Show. The best part
of the show is seeing old friends and making
new ones!
I spent much of my time talking with
dealers and vendors about the Park Pilot
Program and how we can make this a winwin
opportunity for all.
Reunion of friends in Toledo. Photo by Randy
Hammond.
Busy Weekend in the Wichita Area: I left
home around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning
for a four-hour trip to Hutchinson, Kansas.
As mentioned before, this small club, the
Hutch Bunch, like many I have visited,
exhibits the true essence of this great hobby:
friendships!
Last year I challenged the club to achieve
the Gold Leader Club level because there
was no doubt that they could do it. Well, I
just had to be there in person when Mike
Tallman, our Kansas associate vice president
(AVP), awarded it to them.
Congratulations to all club members.
After a quick flight, I got back into the
truck and Mike and I headed to visit three
different hobby shops in the Wichita area to
see how they were coming on promoting the
Park Pilot Program and answer any questions
the dealers had.
At the last hobby shop, George’s, we
presented a check to Dave Freeman,
president of the Chisholm Trail RC Club,
which is one of 16 clubs nationwide to
receive a flying site grant.
Our last stop was 40 miles further south
to Wellington, Kansas, which is just a few
miles from the Oklahoma boarder, for a jet
rally. Host Ken Stitt and his beautiful wife,
Kim, were on hand to greet us.
Unfortunately, the wind was more than
25 mph and we were all grounded, but we
had a wonderful barbecue dinner prepared by
Ken’s family members (his mom was the
head chef!). We worked on a jet chopper and
other toys until late in the night when I called
it quits and headed for the hotel. I got back
home midday on Sunday to my very
understanding
wife!
I had a
great time
down south!
Above: AVP Mike
Tallman presents
a Flying Site
Assistance check
to Chisholm Trail
club president,
Dave Freeman.
Above left: Mike Tallman presents a Gold
Leader Club award to Hutch Bunch
president Gordon.
I chair the Marketing Committee composed
of Don Anderson, vice president at Hobbico,
and Eric Meyers, vice president at Horizon.
Dave Mathewson, AMA president, wanted to
recognize both volunteers for their hard work
in developing and implementing the Park
Pilot Program, which took more than twoand-
a-half years.
In February we presented Don with the
President’s Award at E-Fest and Eric was
presented his President’s Award at the Joe
Nall which is held at his local club. Both
individuals also received bricks installed in
the Walk of Fame.
When you see these guys at various
events, be sure to congratulate them and
thank them for their tireless work.
That’s it for this month. I hope you are
getting in a lot of flying and having fun!
Mark
Mark Smith
Vice President
14632 W. 50th St.,
Shawnee KS 66216
Tel.: (913) 248-9191
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Troy Lapp, Bismarck ND;
[email protected]
Ward Neesen, Omaha NE
[email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS;
[email protected]
Jim Tiller, Rapid City SD;
[email protected]
Jim Wallen, Arvada CO
[email protected]
Webmaster: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator: Steve
Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Mark Smith, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
09amanews.qxp 7/24/2008 4:45 PM Page 165