Author: Tim Jesky
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/03
Page Numbers: 154

District VII—Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Hello everyone! Let me start by thanking all who supported me in the recent AMA elections. For those who didn't, I hope to earn your confidence and trust.

Another thank-you goes to my predecessor, Bill Oberdieck. Bill spent 10 years as District VII vice president and volunteered countless hours of his time to help make aeromodeling better for all of us in District VII and helped formulate policies that benefited AMA members. Bill, thank you again for your service.

For those who didn't get the chance to see my campaign statement, let me tell you about myself. I've been married to my wife, Linda, for 34 years and have two sons, Joe and Andrew, and three grandchildren.

I flew CL models as a teenager. After an extended break for career and starting a family, I began flying RC with my boys roughly 20 years ago. These days I divide my time between sport-flying powered aircraft and soaring, which I was introduced to at my home club several years ago.

As I am writing this after returning from my club's annual New Year's Day Snow Fly, I'm again reminded of the friendship and camaraderie we get to share in this great hobby and sport of ours. The weather at the field featured frigid temperatures and steady winds of 35 mph, gusting to nearly 50 mph. The odds of putting up a flight were near zero, but that didn't stop a couple dozen members from coming out and enjoying each other's company and telling a few stories. You just gotta love it!

Although it's unrealistic to believe I'll get to see everyone as the new District VII VP, it's my desire to visit as many clubs and to meet as many members as possible during my term. Please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the associate vice presidents in the district if you have questions or are in need of assistance.

I encourage you to pass along club news, activities, and photos of your events. You never know — what you pass on might very well end up gracing this page in Model Aviation.

The following text and photos come from Larry Barnes of the Lodi Area Radio Control Club in Lodi, Wisconsin. This is a great example of a club reaching out to youth and being a positive influence in the community.

LARCC Cub Scout Day at the Field

"I am the secretary of the Lodi Area Remote Control Club. I spoke with my next door neighbor who is a Cub Scout leader, and asked him if his boys would be interested in learning how to fly an RC airplane. He told me that he would ask about it and get back to me.

"After his Scout meeting, he advised me that they would love it. I contacted two of our club trainer pilots, Mark Johnson and Brent Schwartzwald, and asked if they would help buddy-box the Scouts. They said they would love to help out. We set up October 29 to have the Scouts come out to the field.

"We had set up a computer with the flight-simulator program running. We gave them a quick tour around an airplane and let them practice on the flight simulator. After roughly five minutes each, we went to the flightline.

"The trainers had a Taylorcraft with a 32-ci gas engine and an electric-powered T-28 and an electric Easy Star. The Scouts had a great time; some were really good for their first time ever flying. Each Scout had at least three buddy-box flights.

"After the flying was done, Brent gave a 3-D demo with his T-Rex 450. Brent performed some looping, inverted flight, tail slides, rolls, tic-tocks, and some moves I didn't recognize. He had the crowd clapping and gasping because a helicopter isn't supposed to do those things."

— Larry Barnes

Till next month, take a kid flying.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.