District IX-2011/07

July 2011 140
BY NOW I am sure most of you are aware
that Dave Mathewson, our past AMA
president, is now AMA’s new executive
director. I am sure that everyone here in
District IX wishes Dave and his wife,
Ginger, the very best in their new adventure
in Muncie, Indiana. Dave is a tireless worker
and has demonstrated that the well-being of
the Academy is on the top of his priority list.
Tom Neff submitted this article from the
Airpark Elite RC club. Tom is the club
president and has brought focus to Pylon
racing, youth, and training programs. The
club members strongly promote the AMA
Take off And Grow (TAG) program every
year. You can also always count on them to
put on demonstrations for Pylon racing for
any in the area who are interested.
“The day started out with favorable
conditions from a weather standpoint. There
were slight winds down the runway with
temps in the mid-50s. Flight instructors were
ready to teach. Training aircraft were ready
to go. The guest speaker was ready. Food
arrangements (Kentucky Fried Chicken) for
delivery had been made. The flight
simulator was up and running and ready to
teach. These seem to be the key elements in
having a successful TAG day.
“The next component was for the
Broomfield Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
Squadron to arrive with the cadets eager and
ready to learn, and parent leaders ready to
assist. There were 14 cadets and six parent
leaders.
“The day started out with a safety
briefing. Tom Neff gave the briefing with
two simple rules:
“1) Listen to your flight instructor.
“2) Keep your hands away from
anywhere in the area of a propeller.
“Safety perimeters were also established
so that when landing we didn’t have any
problems. A quick ground school was given
showing how to use proportion to move the
control sticks. It was explained to the cadets
that the controls on the transmitter are not
like those on a Nintendo or Wii!
“Every cadet was given a donated
transmitter. After being given the
transmitter, stick positions and aircraft axis
relationship were explained to every cadet
so they had a basic understanding of what
was about to happen. Aircraft were preflight
inspected, fueled, range tested, and the
buddy-box functionality and flight directions
checked. Trims were checked and crossedchecked
on buddy boxes. The cadets were
able to fly for approximately three hours of
airtime with their instructors.
“A TAG event is only as good as the
instructors and the pride they take in being
able to share their love for flying with future
pilots. Making sure all of their equipment is
in perfect working order assures the cadets a
full day of flying. A day repairing airplanes
is not what the cadets are there for. Prior
preparation is the key to a successful TAG
day.
“At the end of the day, we went through
2½ gallons of fuel, one airplane, and 90
pieces of chicken, coleslaw, macaroni and
cheese, potatoes, and gravy. The smiles
were intense, the learning was high, and the
cadets left with the experience of learning
how to fly RC from a flight instructor who
hopes someday he will see a new member of
the AMA.
“A huge thanks goes out to all that
helped the future of model aviation.”
TAG Day
trainer is
g e t t i n g
fired up!
The CAP cadets benefit from the buddy box!
Night Vapor aircraft have the attention of
the CAP cadets!
Do you have some difficulty in
recruiting officers for your club? Here is
something to think about. Put together a list
of past club officers and honor them at one
of your club meetings. Bring some special
snacks to the meeting to make it a little more
special.
Let your member know ahead of time
about the event. Without exception,
everyone likes to be recognized and
honored. The social aspect of this is always
a hit and you may find it a little easier to
recruit new officers for your club.
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 W. 82nd
Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-
9061
www.amadistrictix.
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
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