Tom Neff was once again an instructor at the Model Aircraft and Remote Control Flight Academy (MARC) for Civil Air Patrol cadets in Salina, Kansas. Here are a few highlights from his adventure.
“These camps take place across the US and are designed to teach cadets to solo during the six days of training. This year, Captain Les Gilmer was in charge of 24 cadets attending the Salina MARC.
“Cadets follow a rigorous flight instruction syllabus. Along the way, we instructors, monitor and evaluate the cadets’ performance. Upon successful completion, the cadet earns his or her wings for the solo flight.
“Should a cadet arrive with exceptional skills, he or she can work toward flight instructor status. The cadet must demonstrate not only good flying skills but the ability to teach those skills to others. Instructor status on the cadet’s AMA card is granted to those who complete this course.
“At the end of six days, each cadet is charged to take his newfound knowledge back to his squadron and share their experiences with other cadets.”
The Miniature Aero Sportsters near Denver held its annual Kids’ Day on August 9. Here is a report from club president Larry Ott.
“The weather was perfect and the club members really had things organized. The club instructors got their aircraft assembled, fuelled, and ready before registration and ground school started about 9:30 a.m.
“The next seven hours were a blur as more than 100 kids got a chance to pilot an RC airplane. We had four or five airplanes in the air with two or three refueling on the ground most of the day. The air marshals did a great job of matching the waiting prospective pilots with an instructor and making sure that everyone got a turn.
“At 11:30 we served lunch. During the recess Tom Neff, our AMA District IX associate vice president (AVP) and one of our instructors, put on a demo with his turbine jet. Steve Graham followed that with an over-the-top heli demonstration choreographed to music.
“At roughly 3 p.m., some storm clouds and lightning forced us to stop flying. Between this event and our booth at the Adams County Fair the previous week, our club reached out to hundreds of kids in our community. These two events are truly club events, with participation from most of the members. A big thank-you to all for making this happen.”
This was the sixth summer that the Rapid City Propbusters, the RC Aces, and the Black Hills Aeromodelers, all in South Dakota, have hosted a regional fun-fly for area hotshot pilots. This year’s Black Hills Huckfest was held August 20-24. The four days brought in pilots from a five-state area.
Flying continued after dark under the spotlights and included some interesting foamie competitions such as Pylon Racing and an obstacle course. On Saturday night there was a pulled pork barbecue and lots of prizes and tongue-in-cheek awards.
Brandon Koch, our new AVP for North Dakota, made his first appearance at the Huckfest as an AMA official.
Captions:
CAP 4th Day --
A MARC cadet receives instruction from his CAP instructor.
MAS Kid’s Day –
Instructors Lee Overholt (standing) and Larry Fuehrer (kneeling) handle the buddy-box duties for a young flier at Kid’s Day.
IMG 5787.
An assembly of Black Hills Huckfest pilots.
IMG 5762 –
Brandon Koch is the new AVP for North Dakota.
