District IX - 2010/11

172 MODEL AVIATION
JOE PIROZZOLI submitted this report
from the Rocky Mountain area
“After a very long hiatus (over 15 years),
RC Aerobatics returned to Arvada,
Colorado. As a matter of fact, there has been
a noticeable absence of regular Pattern
competition in Colorado for some time.
“Arvada Associated Modelers (AAM)
hosted its second Pattern Contest in as many
years. This year’s event was a very
successful two-day contest, succeeding the
one-day event that was hosted in August
2009. This looks to be the only Pattern
contest in Colorado in 2010 and one of only
a very few in the surrounding states.
However, these events prove that Pattern
still has a pulse in the Denver area.
“The Denver area and the Arvada club
has traditionally been a hotbed of RC
Aerobatics. In the ‘old days’ (late 80s/early
90s), there were many top-notch competitors
and numerous contests available throughout
Denver and the region. These recent events
have brought out a lot of old faces and many
new ones. It is our hope that Arvada’s
success will encourage other local
competitors and their clubs to follow suit
and host a contest in the upcoming years.
“This year’s contest was fortunate to
have tremendous sponsorship. The sponsors
really helped to make this a first-class event.
They included Thompson’s Hobbies, Action
Hobbies, Performance Plus RC, Aeroworks,
Graph Tech, Wild Berry Productions, APC
Propellers, Tower Hobbies, and Radio
South. There was over $800 of great stuff to
disperse to both contestants and helpers. No
one walked away empty-handed.
“The event was sanctioned as an AAA
contest and was attended by a very
enthusiastic 13 competitors (slightly down
from 15 the prior year). There were five outof-
town guests, three gents from
Albuquerque, and two from Pueblo. The rest
of the contingent was from the Denvermetro
area including seven Arvada fliers.
“The classes broke down as follows: six-
Sportsman; two-Intermediate; two-
Advanced; three-Masters; and no one in
FAI. All of the classes were hotly contested
despite the lack of numbers. And, as always
AAM fliers proved to be very competitive.
Although these numbers appear low, there
was quite a bit of diversity among the
participants each year (i.e. the total potential
group from both events is well over 20
fliers).”
Dan Underkofler, Arvada, placed first in
Masters.
Derek Gill, Albuquerque, took second place
in Sportsman.
First place in Intermediate went to Ken Paul
of Albuquerque.
Joe Pirozzoli of Arvada placed first in
Advanced.
Dick Behrens from the Omahawks in
Omaha, Nebraska, always sponsors some
great float-flys.
An unusual landing for Skip Brown’s float
plane. Photo by Leroy Hendersen from his
rescue boat.
Just a reminder, the Central Plains Indoor
Fly-In will be held this year at the Hartman
Arena in Wichita, Kansas. The venue is new
but the excitement of indoor flying remains
the same. The dates are November 12, 13,
and 14. Make it a point to get it on your
calendar. You can get a reduced rate at the
new hotel across the street!
Kim and Ken put together a great show.
The current sponsors are Castle and
Maplegate Media Group. Check out Ken’s
Web site at www.clearviewfield.com for
additional details.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 W. 82nd Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-9061
www.amadistrict-ix.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Steve Culver, Omaha NE;
[email protected]
Zac Heskin, Garrison ND;
[email protected]
Fred Hildebrand, Casper WY;
[email protected]
Bruce Ream, Highlands Ranch
CO; [email protected]
Brenda Schuette, Auburn KS;
[email protected]
Mike Tallman, Wichita KS;
[email protected]
Jim Tiller, Rapid City SD;
[email protected]
Webmaster: Norm Berger,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
2010 Colorado Pattern Challenge Results
Place Sportsman Intermediate Advanced Masters
1. Derek Gill Kent Paul Joe Pirozzoli Dan Underkofler
2. Scott Wait Terry Clouse John Gayer Chuck Schone
3. Lanny Hansen Bill Chester
CDs Joe Pirozzoli and Dan Underkofler