District IX
Site Improvement/Development Grants
Every year AMA provides grant assistance to its chartered clubs that wish to improve or develop their flying sites. I have always encouraged all the clubs here in District IX to take advantage of the program.
It is a simple process to apply, and I would encourage all of you who are undertaking a project this year to submit your application. Make sure that you send your application to me prior to March 2012. The form is on the AMA website. I will help you out in any way I can.
For 2011 the Site Improvement/Development Grants totaled more than $30,000. There were three winners here in District IX:
- Mile Hi RC — $208.60
- Miniature Aero Sportsters — $616.31
- Rapid City Propbusters RC Club — $587.03
Congratulations!!
Warbirds Over Denver
Warbird events are always a fan favorite with good turnouts and a lot of excitement over the wide spectrum of wartime aircraft. AVP Bruce Ream submitted this report on the Warbirds Over Denver event the Jefco Aeromod'lers put on for 2011:
"Starting with setup on Friday morning and continuing until the awards on Sunday afternoon, the weatherman couldn't have done a better job — some wind (wind is your friend) and sun all three days. Starting on Saturday morning, with raising the colors and a POW flag, accompanied by a Scottish piper and drummer, followed by a short pilot briefing, it was time to fly. Within two minutes all eyes were on the sky with a flyover of a full-scale Stearman followed by an AT-6 Texan.
"As a special highlight, the EAA's B-17 'Aluminum Overcast' was in town giving rides. The airplane flew right over the field several times during the show, and what a sight for the spectators and the pilots. Goosebumps appeared every time.
"This year the club broke a record of 85 pilots and more than 117 airplanes. We had pilots from as far away as Minnesota as well as several other states. This year saw more jets and lots of big warbirds. Of course there were the occasional crashes, but isn't that part of the hobby? I was one of those.
"As the club has done for the past couple of years, we were able to honor several veterans that joined us from a local veterans' home where they live. They autographed the picture that was taken last year and gave it to several members of the club. Some speeches and a few tears. Of course, we took a picture this year for next year's event."
What an amazing lineup on the flightline for the warbird event! Veterans from a local veterans' home were able to recall some past memories.
Grand Island Modelers Annual Airplane Expo
Jim Stulken, president of the Grand Island Modelers Club, has a premier event in June of each year called the Grand Island Modelers Annual Airplane Expo. Jim tells me it is Nebraska's largest fun-fly. With a schedule conflict I did not make the event, but I will be putting it on my calendar early for 2012.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
