144 MODEL AVIATION
ONE OF THE most successful programs that
AMA offers is the TAG (Take off And Grow)
program. Here’s how TAG works: clubs
apply to host a TAG Model Aviation Day and
are provided with a complete program
“requirements and guidelines” document to
use as a guide. This document includes ideas
on promoting and advertising your event as
well as an outline of possible activities.
On the actual day of the event, all
attendees receive brief “classroom
instruction” to help familiarize them with
model aviation and to give them an idea of
what to expect. Next, all attendees receive
hands-on training under the supervision of a
club instructor that will help them become
acclimated to the basics of flight and how it
all works.
If your club is selected to host a TAG
Model Aviation Day, the AMA will provide
up to $1,000 in advance to use to set up your
program. This year, Arvada Associated
Modelers, Airpark Elite, and Rapid City Aces
split the $1,000 pool. After the event, items
purchased are your club’s to keep as AMA’s
way of saying “thanks for helping out.”
Through TAG, individual AMA members
can also take advantage of AMA’s
Ambassador Program. Sign up three new
Open or Senior members with AMA, and a
current member will earn next year’s
membership as another way of saying
“thanks.”
Tom Neff from the Airpark Elite Club
submitted this article detailing how his club’s
TAG Day went. Airpark Elite is a relatively
small club with 18 members.
“With the onset of dwindling memberships
and the thought of model aviation in general
losing the interest of the general public,
something had to be done. After going to the
District IX AMA meeting, someone in the
AMA came up with the great idea of having
TAG day—take off and grow day.
“Airpark Elite made the decision to take
this on. After finding out if there was any
interest from the pilots, four of Airparks top
pilots were selected to become certified flight
instructors.
“We started to accumulate training type of
aircraft purchased at the Jefco Aeromod’lers
annual auction that would be suitable to
teaching flight training to a bunch of CAP
[Civil Air Patrol] cadets.
“After the aircraft were purchased, they
were sent home with our resident team of
experts for tweaking and flight trimming to
insure a successful TAG day. Several minor
problems were repaired under the eyes of the
certified AMA flight instructors.
“TAG day started off with a guest speaker,
retired Major William Rice, a former P-38
pilot who flew along the coasts of California
during WW II to ensure the safety of the
coast. He brought data relevant to the P-38
and an awesome picture that was given to
each cadet to take home.
“After getting the cadets’ attention, he then
went through the several procedures that were
involved in flying the P-38 including cockpit
memorization, what happened if you lost one
of the two engines on takeoff, and then some
parting words about paying close attention to
the flight instructors today while the cadets
are flying.
“Next up was a ground school. The ground
school was taught by Tom Neff. Much of the
basic flight information and safety was
covered, so the cadets had some idea of what
they were about to face.
“After ground school was completed the
cadets were split into four groups. Their flight
instructor gave a briefing as to what would be
expected when they were flying. Three groups
went to the runway to fly while the fourth
went to the flight simulator.
“The flight simulator was set up inside a
trailer for screen clarity and was managed by
Norm Names. Once again flight basics were
covered and implemented using a laptop, a
generator, and a fantastic program to teach.
Brian Neff demonstrated flying areas relative
to the position where you are standing.
“The cadets who were sent to the flightline
were broken into three groups and given a
buddy box with a flight instructor on the other
end. Egg timers were used to distribute the
airtime evenly. At the competent hands of
Alan Thovson, more fuel burned and airtime
was accrued. This is a change of venue for
Alan, as he is used to chasing or avoiding
getting his streamer stolen in Combat!
“After several hours of flying, it was
lunchtime. Airpark provided pizza for
everyone. Ever try feeding 20 hungry
teenagers? The only thing that worked was
fresh, hot pizza delivered by Janis Neff.
“Following lunch, Brian Neff put on a 3-D
air show with his Giant Scale Yak that was
truly amazing. The cadets watched in awe as
the snap rolls on takeoff, hovering one foot off
the deck, and the inverted flat spins just kept
on coming. This was to show that with
practice, they too can become a competent
pilots.
“Every cadet was given an old junk
transmitter to move the sticks while waiting
their turn in line. We had approximately 20
old transmitters that were donated by club
members Dave Wilbur and Duane Gall.
“Some of the senior members of the CAP
decided to give flying a try at the end of the
day and realized that it really wasn’t quite that
easy as our resident experts made it look.
Ending the afternoon with no broken planes,
the group burned up two gallons of fuel, broke
one prop, and two landing gear screws.
“A great time was had by all and huge
thanks go out to all who made our TAG day a
successful event! Thank you also to Ed and
Betsy Tauer for the donated trainer.”
TAG Day simulator setup for Airpark Elite.
TAG Day participants setting up the donated
trainer.
Remember, keep the sunscreen on to keep
the cancer off!
Jim Wallen
Vice President
7322 W. 82nd Way
Arvada CO 80003
Tel.: (303) 421-9061
www.amadistrict-ix.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: Jim Shaw,
[email protected]
Contest Coordinator:
Mac Strader, Overland Park KS;
[email protected]
Frequency Coordinator:
Steve Mangles, Denver CO;
[email protected]
District IX Volunteers
District IX
Jim Wallen, District IX Vice President; [email protected]
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
06amanews_11amanews.qxd 4/22/2010 11:35 AM Page 144
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/06
Page Numbers: 144