I ATTENDED the Southeast Electric Flight
Festival (SEFF) held in Americus, Georgia,
on May 2-3. This year’s event had more than
300 pilots entered for the celebration of
electric flight.
All types of models were flown during the
event. I especially enjoyed the advances that
have been made in the electric jet arena. Bob
Violett Models demoed several jets and they
were most impressive! If you were ever
interested in jets, but just didn’t want do deal
with the fuel issues, you should really take a
look at these!
During the event, Cal Orr and I worked to
help the event pull off a successful Guinness
Book of World Records attempt. The goal was
to break the current record of 49 RC airplanes
flying at one time.
Using a mix of 72 Mhz, 50 Mhz, 53 Mhz,
and 2.4 GHz systems, a new record of 100
models was set on Saturday afternoon
between rain showers! Much preparation was
required and safety was in the minds of
everyone during the attempt.
Only models less than 20 ounces flying
weight were allowed to participate. Pilots
launched models and 100 completed the
required one-minute flight time to achieve the
goal. Notably, with more than 100 models in
the air, only one mid-air occurred!
While this was a milestone, it was only a
very small part of the event. It was obvious
that everyone had a good time and plenty of
flying was done by all! Photos contributed by
Blake Blakenship.
A sad incident marred the SEFF event. On
Saturday, May 3, AMA members Darryl
Garrison, Ryan Jones, and Brian King were
killed in a small plane crash on their way back
to Bessemer, Alabama, after spending the day
at the event. Our thoughts and prayers go out
to their families.
Manley Darryl Garrison
1966-2008
The Alabaster RC Association has lost one
of its most dedicated members and one
tremendous friend, not only to so many of us,
but to our hobby as well.
Darryl will be remembered for his
eagerness to help with field-improvement
projects at our field, his willingness to help
teach newer students the thrill of flying radio
control aircraft, and his work with the young
people in our ongoing
educational activities.
More than anything
else, he will be
remembered as a
great friend to so
many of us, and a
remarkable young
man.
A trust fund for
Darryl’s two children has been established at
the following:
The Elizabeth & Anna Garrison Trust
Account # 1010193604373
Wachovia Bank
North Shelby Financial Center
3350 Pelham Parkway, AL0665
Pelham AL 35124
Ryan Hunter Jones
1979-2008
The West
Alabama
Aeromodelers have
lost a great member
and friend to many.
Ryan was a vibrant
upbeat person to all
who knew him. He
was one of those
people who brought a smile to your face just
thinking about him. In person, Ryan’s big grin
was contagious!
Ryan was always eager to help a club
member in need and to help with any club
activity. He could be depended on like
clockwork and was always the first to arrive
anywhere he was expected. Ryan was great
with all visitors, especially the young children
who would come out to the field. Children
were drawn to him like a magnet!
The world has lost a kind soul and the club
a true asset and friend.
Robert Brian King
1966-2008
Robert Brian
King, 42, leaves
behind his wife Traci
and three daughters.
Brian was a youth
pastor for many
years in the Church
of Christ before
entering the business
world. He sold
recreational boats for
several years then became a partner with
Grimaud Enterprises as a Precision Tune Auto
Care franchise developer in Alabama and
Georgia.
Brian started flying airplanes when he was
a teenager. Piloting his beautiful 1948
Beechcraft Bonanza was something he loved
very much.
172 MODEL AVIATION
Tony Stillman
Vice President
139 Altama Connector,
Box 322, Brunswick GA
31525; (912) 242-2407
www.amadistrict-v.org
Associate Vice
Presidents
Alabama:
Jhon P. Russell,
Mount Olive AL; (205) 213-5240
[email protected]
Florida:
Tony Fandino, Miami FL
[email protected]
Douglas Jones, Venice FL; (941)
496-8943; shellback76@
bellsouth.net
Georgia:
Bob Dixon, Macon GA;
[email protected]
Fred L. McClellan, Marietta GA;
(770) 402-6570; the-plumber@
mindspring.com
Mississippi:
Paul Verger, Vancleave MS;
(228) 826-4892;
[email protected]
Puerto Rico:
Richard Prann, San Juan PR; (787)
777-2143; [email protected]
South Carolina:
Richard Whitely, Summerville
SC; (843) 832-9506; webmaster@
Jedburgflyersrc.com
Tennessee:
Billy Miller, Blountville TN; (423)
335-2486; [email protected]
Dick Tonan, La Vergne TN;
[email protected]
Safety Coordinator: Red
Scholefield, Newberry FL; (352)
331-8410; redscho@
bellsouth.net
Frequency Coordinator: Jose
Soto, Apopka FL;
[email protected]; (407) 814-9641
Webmaster: Bill Davison
[email protected]
For additional district officers and
volunteers, please see a previous
issue of MA or visit the District V
Web site.
D i s t r i c t V Vo l u n t e e r s
District V
Tony Stillman, District V Vice President; [email protected]
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
07amanews.qxp 5/21/2008 12:09 PM Page 172
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 172