Author: Jim Wallen
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/07
Page Numbers: 144

District IX—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

Vice President

When I hear the term float-fly in District IX, I immediately think of Darrell Watts, one of our avid water aviators from the Kansas area. Darrell doesn’t limit his activities to Kansas; he helps promote float-flys in surrounding states as well. He has also been helping Pat McGhee with the Heart of America Float Fly.

Darrell has been working on a new 10-foot wingspan Widgeon, and its maiden voyage is imminent if it has not already happened. Darrell gives us some insider information about one of the most popular models in his area: the Model Aero Polaris, which has the reputation of being one of the easiest-to-fly, most predictable aircraft to touch down on water. It is not uncommon to see 16 or more of them at a float-fly.

Denver is fortunate to have a great facility in the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. The facility houses a large number of full-scale aircraft, some models, and displays relating to space exploration. The museum’s mission statement is “To educate and inspire people of all ages about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present, and future.” The aeromodeling community gives a presentation and has static displays in this facility every year.

Tom Neff, your District IX Associate Vice President (AVP), has arranged to initiate a new program in partnership with the museum. The district has made a cash donation to assist a program for teaching youngsters and others to fly RC aircraft. Tom will assist with instruction.

For the past six years, the Pikes Peak Soaring Society (PPSS) has sponsored a Delta Dart building session, held once a week during the summer camping season of the Denver Area Council of the Boy Scouts. The camp on the Boy Scouts ranch in Elbert, Colorado, is typically seven weeks and is held in June and July. District IX will assist the club this year in promoting youth educational activities.

Tom Neff has a strong desire to develop young fliers and is a great teacher. He took on the task of giving a kindergarten class lessons in building the AMA FPG-9 plate glider. The kids had a great time, and we hope we planted seeds for a future generation of AMA members.

Associate Vice Presidents and Other Contacts

Other District Contacts

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.