Instead of me doing all of the writing this month, I want to first turn it over to Nikolei Zinsli, who not only serves as the District VII webmaster, but is also responsible for building our new site.
I approached Tim nearly two years ago, offering my professional experience as a Web developer for the past 10 years to try and bring the District VII website into the modern age. The design and features of the site had barely changed since its inception in December 2001, and Internet technology has changed a lot since then. Ed Kincer had done a great job, but it was time to take the site to the next level.
After nearly a year of discussion and development, we were happy to flip the switch and make it live on September 26, 2013! The new site is WordPress based—allowing Tim and all of the AVPs to add content from their areas with ease. This will be a huge benefit and will keep the site fresh and interesting!
With the site still in its infancy, we’re asking everyone to help fill it to the gills! Send us a couple of paragraphs about an event you had this year and attach some pictures. Did your club host a fundraiser? Have a float in a parade? Volunteer in the community? Tell us about it! It doesn’t have to be long or professionally written, so have no fear. Send your news to [email protected] and it’ll be online quicker than a crash.
We’re still working out the kinks and expanding functionality as time allows, so please email all comments and suggestions! Don’t forget about our discussion forum and we also have a new Facebook page in the works, so watch the website for more information on that. This site is what you make of it, so submit and visit www.amadistrictvii.org often!
Thanks again, Nikolei, for all the hard work you put into this effort.
Wisconsin AVP Bob Johnson had a busy summer attending a variety of Wisconsin aeromodeling events. Please read on to see where he’s been.
Throughout the summer, I traveled throughout east central Wisconsin to participate in and chat with fellow modelers at events hosted by several area clubs. What follows is a brief description of each event, including the URL of the club, and pictures of the event. Everyone is invited to attend as a spectator and/or participate in these annual events. Visit the club website for the flying field’s location and the date of next year’s event.
River Valley Flyers Annual Fun-Fly
Each year, the River Valley Flyers, located in Wisconsin Rapids, hosts a fun-fly during the first weekend in June. Modelers travel from throughout Wisconsin and some from Minnesota to fly in this event. In past years, the event was limited to only electric-powered airplanes. This year, it was expanded to allow glow/gas-powered models as well as electrics. The weatherman cooperated and everyone had a good time. Club website: http://www.rvfrc.com.
Calumet Flyers Father’s Day Fun-Fly
The Calumet Flyers again hosted its annual Father’s Day event. Thirty-nine fliers from the area took turns demonstrating their flying skills to an appreciative audience. Club website: http://calumetflyers.com.
VAM Fun-Fly
The Valley Aero Modelers hosted a unique two-day event in late July. The first day was limited to rotary wing aircraft, and the second day was limited to fixed-wing aircraft. Although Mother Nature was not cooperative, everyone who attended the event found it to be interesting and enjoyable. Club website: https://sites.google.com/site/valleyaeromodelers.
Fond du Lac Giant Scale Event
The Fond du Lac Aeromodeler Association hosted their annual Warbirds and Classics Fly-In in mid-August. With more than one hundred pilots in attendance, this event has become one of the largest Giant Scale events in the Midwest. Flyers from twelve different states as well as Canada attended the event this year. Club website: http://fdl-aa.com.
Take a kid flying!
