District VII Report - 2003/04
Bill Oberdieck, Vice President
This will be the fourth time I have started writing and announcing the start of my flying season with the Toledo Expo opening. I’m sure many of you out there also consider this time of year the beginning of another flying season. If any of you plan to visit the show and would like to say hello or just chat with me, stop at the AMA booth. Someone there will direct you to where I might be. I always look forward to meeting new people from District VII.
During the past winter I was in contact with a few clubs and had discussions on various matters ranging from where clubs can get information regarding field help to safety issues. It’s relatively simple: visit the AMA website, www.modelaircraft.org. There is a wealth of information available.
I have looked at a few fields where I saw issues that might be considered serious safety concerns if an incident should occur. I’ve reminded club officers that it is the club’s responsibility, as an AMA-chartered club, to implement the items suggested in the AMA Safety Code.
I suggest every club provide the local emergency unit with the club’s GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates. This system greatly reduces the time required to find a field, compared with looking at a map to locate dirt roads or the like should an emergency arise. When you are getting the field in shape for a new season, that would be a good time to obtain and share the GPS coordinates. It would also help if the coordinates were printed on club flyers when holding a contest or fly-in to help attendees find the field.
I want to congratulate the Des Moines Modelairs Club of Iowa for stepping up to host the 2003 AMA Grand Event at Water Works Park. It is my hope that many of you can attend and show your support for this event. Truly, it is a very large undertaking and I wish them a successful Grand Event.
Dave Barnes, secretary of the Marshall R/C Club in Marshall, Minnesota, sent in a report of the fly-in celebrating Schwan’s 50th Anniversary Festival. Schwan’s, a manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of frozen foods, is the sponsor of the Red Baron Squadron for Red Baron Pizza. Dave reports the weather wasn’t the best but did not deter about 30,000 visitors.
Cassandra Brown of the Bits and Pieces RC Club of Adrian, Michigan, sent in a report from their sixth annual Hunks and Chunks Big Bird Fly-in. Cassandra states there were more than 60 airplanes and helicopters present to fly and wow the spectators with their flying antics. Photos by Jim Brown.
Until next time, fly safely, have fun, and best wishes to you all for a happy, healthy flying season. C.A.V.U.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
