I WAS ABLE to get over to the Shadetree
Miniature Aircraft Association’s Bud
McMillan Big Bird Fly-In held September
11-12, in Glen St. Mary’s, Florida. The site
is roughly 25 miles west of Jacksonville,
Florida, on I-10 at exit 333.
Although the weather was overcast with
rain threatening, that didn’t stop those in
attendance from bringing out some truly
nice aircraft and enjoying the wonderful
flying site!
Some really great scale models were
present, and fliers from nearby Jacksonville,
made the short trip over to attend. The club
field is very large with an all-grass runway.
I spoke with some of the local members
and it was evident that they really have a
passion for model airplanes and just want
everyone to come out and enjoy them in a
low-key setting.
While at the fly-in, I spoke with a
longtime modeler who relayed this story to
me. I won’t mention names, since I didn’t
get his permission to print it, although I am
sure he would be okay with it.
In a previous Model Aviation District V
report, there was a picture of an airplane
with its proud owner. Being interested in
this model as well, he noticed that the owner
had his same last name. He knew that he had
some relatives in that part of the country, but
did not know this person.
After doing some searching, he was able
to contact the owner of the model, and found
out that their grandmothers were sisters!
They were, in fact, second cousins who had
never met!
Both had a long history of love of
aircraft and both had been flying RC for
many years. He was very happy to have
found a relative who enjoyed model aircraft
as much as he did!
What a great story! I can’t think of a
better way to meet a relative you didn’t even
know you had. And isn’t that what model
aircraft is all about? Meeting a new friend,
sharing with the friends you have, and even
getting family involved.
It just doesn’t get any better than that.
District V
Tony Stillman, District V Vice President; [email protected]
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands
Tony Stillman
Vice President
102 Cherrywood Ct.
Brunswick GA 31525;
(912) 242-2407
www.amadistrict-v.org
Contest Coordinators
RC: Dick Tonan, 639
Knollwood Dr., La Vergne
TN 37086;
[email protected]
FF: Bob Thoren, 10002 Bluff Dr.,
Huntsville AL 35803; (256) 726-
1051; [email protected]
CL: Gene Martine, 11248 Martin
Lakes Dr. No., Jacksonville FL
32220; [email protected]
Associate Vice Presidents
Alabama:
Lamar Blair, Decatur AL; (256)
303-8349; lamarblair@amadistrictv.
org
Florida:
Jim Saiff, Tampa FL; (813)
969-4262; jsaiffchipmunkrc1@
verizon.net
Ron Van Putte, Ft. Walton Bch. FL;
(850) 243-0207; [email protected]
Georgia:
Bob Dixon, Macon GA; rldixon3@
cox.net
Mississippi:
Paul Verger, Vancleave MS;
(228) 826-4892;
[email protected]
Puerto Rico:
Richard Prann, San Juan PR; (787)
777-2143; [email protected]
South Carolina:
Jim Fender, Batesburg SC; (803)
414-2591; [email protected]
Roger Marshall, Camden SC;
(803) 432-2347;
[email protected]
Tennessee:
Dick Tonan, La Vergne TN;
[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 V o l u n t e e r s
Working on a model always draws a
crowd! Judging from the smiles, the
maintenance was even fun!
Enjoying the flying is what it is all about! Just a few of the very nice models present.
Though rain threatened, everyone had a fun
time at the field!
November 2009 167
11amanews_11amanews.qxd 9/21/2009 12:33 PM Page 167
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 167