District VII Report - 2003/04

April 2003 167
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
may also consider this time of year the
beginning of another flying season.
Of course, if any of you readers plan to
visit the show and would like to say hello
or just chat with me, stop at the AMA
booth. Someone will direct you to where I
might be. I always look forward to meeting
new people from District VII.
During the past winter I have been 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. Well,
it is relatively simple. Visit the AMA Web
site, www.modelaircraft.org. There is a
wealth of information available.
I have looked at a few fields where I have
seen some issues that might be considered
strong safety issues if an incident should
occur. I’ve reminded club officers that it is
the club’s responsibility as an AMAchartered
club to implement the items as
suggested in the AMA Safety Code.
I suggest at this point that every club
make it a point to provide the local
emergency unit the club GPS (Global
Positioning System) coordinates. This
system greatly reduces the time to find a
field rather than looking at a map to find
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 do the GPS thing. By the way, it would
also help if the coordinates were printed on
the club flyers when holding a contest or
fly-in to help attendees to find the field.
I want to congratulate the Des Moines
Modelairs club of Iowa for stepping up to
the plate 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 sends in
a report of the fly-in celebrating Schwan’s
50th Anniversary Festival. Schwan’s,
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 sway about 30,000 visitors.
Red Baron Squadron airshow team.
Air show flightline.
Larry DeBoer (R) spotting as Kostas
Kouanas shows his daughter how it’s
done.
Cassandra Brown of the Bits and Pieces
RC Club of Adrian, Michigan sent in the
next report from their sixth annual Hunks
and Chunks Big Bird Fly-in. Cassandra
states that there were more than 60
airplanes and helicopters present to fly and
wow the spectators with their flying antics.
Photos by Jim Brown.
Bits and Pieces’ flying field at the
August 24 Big Bird fly-in.
Terry Fryor’s Ziroli P-47 is 92 inches and
weighs 35 pounds. Rich Eggleston’s Fw
190 Meister is 102 inches and 36 pounds.
Billy Brown won a ready-to-fly Tiger
trainer with a JR radio in the raffle.
Until next time, fly safely, have fun, and a
wish to you all for a happy, healthy flying
season. C.A.V.U.
Associate Vice Presidents
Bren Bailey, 1440 Center St., Marquette MI 49855;
(906) 228-7747; E-mail: [email protected]
Larry Brannan, 2181 Cascade Lakes Cir., Grand
Rapids MI 49546; (616) 956-6012; E-mail:
[email protected]
Ed Bucki, PO Box 324, S. Rockwood MI 48179;
(734) 379-4054; E-mail: [email protected]
Bud Gorman, Box 33, Knife River MN 55609;
E-mail: [email protected]
Russell Knetzger, 2625 E. Shorewood Boulevard,
Milwaukee WI 53211; (414) 962-0637
Thomas D. Lazar, 435 Hubbell St., Marshall WI
53559-9409; E-mail: [email protected]
Bill Millar, 712 Grand Ave., Petoskey MI 49770
(231) 347-2347; E-mail: [email protected]
Tom Pierce, 6862 Frith Rd., St. Clair MI 48079
(810) 367-6450; E-mail:
[email protected]
Mark E. Robotti, 26540 Olympic Trail, North
Lindstrom MN 55045
Frequency Coordinators
(West): Al Schwartz, 2787 Fernwood, Roseville
MN 55113; (651) 633-2286
(East): Pete Waters, 7420 Seven Mile Rd.
Northville MI 48167; (248) 486-4800
District VII Report
Iowa / Michigan /
Minnesota / Wisconsin
Bill Oberdieck
Vice President
Box 1076
Southgate MI 48195
Tel.: (734) 283-4813
Fax: (734) 283-0650
E-mail: [email protected]
District VII Web page: www.amadistrictvii.org
Visit the
International
Aeromodeling
Center
Muncie, Indiana
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