District VI Report - 2003/07

152
FORT WAYNE, Indiana: I received the
following from Edward L. Bennett, Senior
Aerospace Science Instructor at Wayne High
School, retired from the USAF, and longtime-
AMA member.
“Stockbrokers, vacuum-cleaner salesman,
and doctors, as well as all other occupations,
put a slightly different twist as to how to
define a successful day in their career field. I
am a high-school aerospace science instructor
and I define a successful day as simply
knowing that I helped a young person realize
the value of learning. I am not referring to the
standard, everyday level of realization that a
teacher often experiences, but a really
tremendously successful day as on Saturday,
October 12, 2002.
“A radio-control show was being held in
Fort Wayne. I taught several of my students
how to construct and properly trim a Delta
Dart. We then went to the show and
sponsored a free Delta Dart Make & Take.
My students’ interest in modeling really
peaked when they learned that they could
make such a simple model fly really well. My
philosophy in teaching is for students to learn
‘why’ a concept works as it does.
“That philosophy really paid off as I
watched my students teaching younger
children how to construct and fly the models
well. I enjoyed watching them beam with
excitement as they received a heartfelt thankyou
from a six-year-old as a well-made model
was removed from the building board. That
excitement was fourfold when the model
circled, and the young boy picked up his
model, and the parent expressed gratitude.
“One moment caught my attention. One
young boy had a model that glided very well,
but under power, it would climb steeply and
stall. Mike, my student, analyzed the situation,
recognized the problem, and adjusted the
propeller mounting, and the airplane flew very
well. Everyone was happy, and the father said
that watching the two working together was a
Norman Rockwell moment.
“As we packed up at the end of the day my
students repeatedly expressed how much fun
they had teaching, and also that they learned
so much more about constructing and flying
models by helping others. However, it was on
the drive home that I felt the true depth of
their appreciation. Perhaps you have to be a
teacher to understand today’s student lingo,
but I assure you that when a 15-year-old
expresses that something is ‘the bomb,’ they
mean that it is absolutely outstanding. They
called our day a really ‘bombing’ day.”
“I have intentionally tried to put a different
twist on this report because I encourage other
modelers to repeat the experience. Wherever
you live, I assure you there are numerous
elementary school classes, Cub Scout packs,
and Civil Air Patrol units that would
appreciate your help. If you are thinking of
reasons why you could not help, think of the
following statement that is the motto painted
on my classroom wall: ‘Make results … not
excuses!’
“I would like to express my sincere
appreciation and thanks to Charlie Bauer for
securing the Delta Darts, to Kelly Box and
Packaging of Fort Wayne for donating the
cardboard used for building boards, and to
CPI Incorporated who donated tables and
floor space at the show.”
Here’s a picture of young people at work.
St Louis, Missouri: The Lafayette Esquadrille
hosts a contest with events that include
S.A.M. Slow Flight, Old-Time Stunt, Perky
Speed, and 1/2A Golden Age Speed. This is a
fun day and a low-stress contest.
The pictures below show the youngest and
oldest contestants, Tyler Ashcraft, and the
“grand old man” of St Louis Control Line
flying, Gus Vogel. There is an age spread of
70 years in the pair. The airplanes shown are
the Golden Age racers. They are not complex
and the rules are simple. Lou Matustik sent in
the information and photos.
Kansas City, Missouri: Six clubs from the
area hosted a benefit food and fundraiser for
the Harvesters Food Bank of Kansas City.
This unique event was the brainchild of John
Carnal and Dennis Tschirhart of the Kansas
City RC Sport Fliers (KCRC).
The event was held at the Lake Jacomo
flying field, home of KCRC. The clubs that
attended were KCRC, RC Sport Flyers,
Northern Knights, 49th Jumbo Squadron, Sun
Chasers, and Mid America Helicopter.
Four-hundred pounds of food and $75 in
cash donations were collected. The idea
started with Cliff Miller who ran the flightline
that day. The pictures and information were
sent in by John Carnal.
John Carnal hands a bag of groceries to
Kelly Roy of the Harvesters Food Bank.
A line up in the pit.
Associate Vice Presidents
Illinois
John Kallend, 1935A Hickory Rd. Homewood IL
60430 (708) 798-7242
Hal Parenti, 1920 Buckingham, Westchester IL
60154 (708) 562-5752
Jerry Worden, 400 Alden Dr., Normal IL 61761-
1202 (309) 454-3905
Indiana
Ron Ballard, 6302 N. 700 E., Decatur IN 46733
(219) 724-8934
Gary Bussell, 5000 W. Connie Dr., Muncie IN
47304 (765) 288-3541
Frank Roales, 4585 E. State Road 61, Vincennes
IN 47591 (812) 882-4776
Kentucky
Jim Sears, Box 308, Burgin KY 40310 (606) 748-
5834
Missouri
Bob Underwood, 32 Hollandbush Ct. St. Charles
MO 63304 (636) 939-3394
Ken Booher, 1016 North East Barnes Dr., Lee’s
Summit MO 64086 (816) 524-7715
Frequency Coordinator
Cal Orr, R.R. 1 Box 123B, Higginsville MO 64037
(660) 584-6284, Fax (660) 584-6285
Webmaster
Gary Parenti, 11001 Martindale Dr., Westchester IL
60154 Eve. (708) 531-9556
Illinois / Indiana / Kentucky /
Missouri
Charlie Bauer
Vice President
4944 N. Orange Ave.
Norridge IL 60706-3224
Home: (708) 457-0565
Fax: (708) 457-2177
E-mail: [email protected]
District VI Report
District VI Web page: www.cs.iit.edu/~amadist6/