District IX-2011/09

September 2011 143
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.
District IX Vice President Jim Wallen (L) and
Associate Vice President Bruce Ream (R)
presented the grant award to Bob Plant,
Mile Hi RC Club president.
For 2011 the Site Improvement/
Development Grants totaled more than
$30,000. There were three winners here in
District IX. Mile Hi RC was granted
$208.60; Miniature Aero Sportsters,
$616.31; and Rapid City Propbusters RC
Club, $587.03. Congratulations!!
Bruce Ream (lower left) presented the grant
award to the Miniature Aero Sportsters.
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:
AVP Bruce Ream piloted this lovely aircraft
on its final flight.
“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 and 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 veteran’s
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 veteran’s home were
able to recall some past memories.
Jim Stulken, president of the Grand Island
Modeler’s 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.
Arial view of the Grand Island fun-fly.
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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