District VII Report - 2004/05

May 2004 175
AS THOSE who read this column know,
District VII has a Web site as shown in the
header at the beginning of this column:
www.amadristrictvii.org. District VII also
maintains a chat site at,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMA_D7/.
Of course, you will have to subscribe in
order to post messages. To subscribe, click
on the link on the AMA District VII chat
page.
I have been disappointed to a degree that
neither site seems to draw any interest. They
were set up so that there could be avenues
for ideas, discussions, hints, or questions
about airplanes and such. There was a hope
the clubs would post or advertise what was
going on in their particular area such as flyin
activity.
Because of the lack of interest in the
www.amadvii.org site, the fellow who had
been the Webmaster decided he could use
his talents elsewhere.
I have had a few inquiries regarding
getting the site updated. This is good, but we
need a Webmaster to do it, so I am searching
for a volunteer who might be interested so
we can try it again only with better results. It
seems a waste not to utilize this medium.
A congratulatory mention is in order here,
and it goes out to Anthony (Tony) Italiano,
the latest recipient of the Aeromodeling Hall
of Fame award. The award was presented to
Tony at the November 2003 Bong Eagles
meeting by Russell Knetzger, associate vice
president (AVP) for District VII.
Tony has been very active in all phases
of Free Flight and has made many
contributions to that activity. Tony was a
pilot of C-46s in the Pacific Theater during
World War II. He was also a manager for
the General Motors Delco division for
guidance systems for the Apollo Space
program and inertial guidance systems for
aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas
DC-8.
Congratulations, Tony.
Russell Knetzger (L) congratulating Model
Aviation Hall of Fame member Tony
Italiano.
Michael Beckman of the Hamburg Flyers
R/C Club and Mike Cisler of the Livingston
County RC Club, both in Michigan, were
called upon to assist teachers from Spencer
Elementary School in Brighton, Michigan.
Students and teachers from Brighton
Michigan’s Spencer Elementary.
Michael and Mike were responsible for
conducting the setup and flying of a Sig
Kadet equipped with infrared and color
cameras. This project was in conjunction
with NASA and was part of a Dr. Robert
Ballard’s Project Jason.
Pilot Michael Beckman explains safety
rules.
The airplane and all of the equipment
was supplied by NASA. In attendance to
view the project flight were members from
Hamburg Township, the University of
Michigan, and local radio and newspapers to
record the event.
Pilots help the students assemble the
aircraft.
The students take an atmospheric
reading.
Bottom view of the camera portholes.
Mike Cisler instructs Liz Larwa.
The involvement of the two clubs
mentioned above is just an example of how
clubs can be part of the local scene and
contribute to a point that possibly could help
retain possession of their fields or help in
finding others.
In the meantime, fly safely, have fun, and
introduce a youngster to our hobby/sport.
C.A.V.U.
Associate Vice Presidents
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]
Jon McVay, 5 Hillcrest Heights Ln., Mount Vernon
IA 52314-9611; (319) 895-6527; 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
Tom Ryan, Box 1111, Milwaukee WI 53201; (414)
881-0070; E-mail: [email protected]
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