District IX - 2008/09
SUMMER is winding down, but this is the best time for flying because the temperatures have cooled a bit.
Removing Airplanes from Trees
I received the following e-mail from Dennis Schardt concerning removing airplanes from trees. My flying buddy, 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,
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 slingshot or bow and arrow to get a line over a branch. Don’t ask.
I’ve 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!
Weak Signals’ Toledo Show
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 win-win opportunity for all.
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 to 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 border, for a jet rally. Host Ken Stitt and his 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!
Marketing Committee
I chair the Marketing Committee composed of:
- Don Anderson, vice president at Hobbico
- 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 two-and-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
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
