District V - 2011/05
Jose Soto, District V Vice President; [email protected]
WOW! This has become a good year for our district. I have been to a few events; they have all been well attended and very well represented. Modeling is as strong as it has always been, but I am seeing very few juniors in our activities.
My challenge to every one of you is to introduce one young person to model aircraft activities this month, and send me a report of the success you had in getting this person to fly. It is not very hard; it just takes a little effort and determination, and the rewards will be excellent.
The Georgia Aircraft Modelers Association (GAMA) sponsors the largest swap meet I have ever attended. We know it as Perry, and this year it did not disappoint. Norm Deputy and his crew sold more than a thousand tables, and there was something for everyone. Your AMA had a booth at the event; Joyce Hager and Wendy Neal staffed it all weekend. Dave Mathewson and Tony Stillman were also present and served as featured guests at the District V associate vice presidents meeting on Friday evening. In all, the swap meet went great and the meeting was educational and informative.
The FAA issue is at the forefront of many discussions on the Internet, at the field, and even in restaurants where RC pilots gather. Please visit the AMA Web site for the official word about what is going on. I have heard many erroneous versions of what is really happening; this needs to be addressed. Again, for the facts on the FAA issues, visit the AMA Web site.
Chris Scoggins sent in this report. Thanks, Chris!
Hodges Hobbies All Electric Fly-In (report by Chris Scoggins)
On September 24–25, 2010, Hodges Hobbies and Castle Creations hosted the fifth annual Hodges Hobbies All Electric Fly-In (HHAEFI) in Andersonville, Georgia. The event was attended by 97 pilots and about 200 spectators, some from as far away as Kentucky.
I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that this year's event was filled with plenty of food, fun, fellowship, and of course, flying. A big attraction at this year's event was the noon show headlined by Mac Hodges and his 20-foot B-29.
A wide variety of models was represented in the noon show, including scale helicopters, 3-D aerobatics, and an RC kite. There was something for every kind of modeler. The event also offered several rounds of foamy Combat. The fast-paced excitement was enjoyed by spectators and pilots alike. It also seems that a friendly rivalry has developed between the Georgia and Florida Combat pilots. Next year we hope to see some other states join in the fun!
We also had a lot of night flying, including everything from one-ounce Night Vapors to an 8-foot flying wing. This wonderful event would not have been possible without Mac Hodges and Hodges Hobbies providing us with a beautiful 1,600-foot grass field. The field is also the home of SEFF (Southeast Electric Flight Festival) and is by far one of the best flying sites in the US.
Many thanks to all the wonderful people who came and made HHAEFI V5 the best one yet! And, of course, a special thanks to event coordinator Bill Davenport for his hard work. Planning has already begun for next year's event, and we would like to go ahead and invite all of District V to join us next year for what is quickly becoming the biggest and best fall electric event in the southeast!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
