District VII Report - 2004/12

December 2004 163
I HAVE some good news for readers. The
District VII Web site has acquired two
dedicated people, Larry Pittman and Ed
Kincer.
These men have improved the site to
include a forum where the members can
ask questions concerning AMA-related
subjects, questions about building, show
pictures of their latest airplanes, and even
a for-sale department.
I don’t know what else we can do to
generate some interest in this site, but it’s
for the members to use. I hope there will
be more who will take advantage of all the
hard work that has gone into improving the
District VII site.
As I write this, I am reminded that fall is
here and—ugh—winter is fast approaching.
I hope all of you have had a great flying
season this past year and are getting ready
for new projects for 2005.
I even managed to get in a few flights
myself in between visiting events around
the district, including the Grand Event and
the EAA Convention in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin. It’s been a busy season.
Let’s get onto what has been going on.
This year I attended the Big Bird Fly-In at
the Aero R/C Club, Inc. of Flint, Michigan.
The club is really expanding. It has acquired
some additional property, and is putting up
a pole barn for storage. The event was a
two-day affair with approximately 65
registered pilots.
The Aero R/C Club of Flint flightline.
Steve Pully and son Nathaniel with Dad’s
Great Planes Pitts powered with a O.S. 300.
The next stop during my travels was the
UFO Air Show. The United Flying
Organization has another great field that is
located on Michigan Department of Natural
Resources property that the club leases. It is
a former landfill area.
The UFO flightline.
Chris Cheyne with his 40% Carden Extra
300.
Red Barber shows off his 1/4-scale
Eindecker.
One unfortunate part of the UFO’s lease
is the field is shut down for flying for a few
weeks because of hunting season. So you
think you have it rough?
I finally had a chance to see an all-electric
fly-in. Keith Shaw was the CD for the Mid
America Electric Fly-In held at the Midwest
RC field just outside Northville, Michigan.
I have seen electrics at local fields but not
like the ones that showed up at this event. It
is really impressive to see the technical
advancements that have been made in just a
few short years. There were reportedly 90
pilots who registered for the event.
Mid America flightline.
de Havilland Mosquito flown by Dave Grief
was scratch-built from Brian Taylor plans.
It has an 81-inch wingspan, Hacker
brushless motors, and Li-Poly batteries.
Hall of Fame recipient and CD Keith Shaw
at the pilots’ meeting.
Chris True with his A-10, 71-inch wingspan
Hacker B50-13XL with C-50 rotors.
I’ve had a great season getting out with
membership and had a good time. I hope
you all have had the same.
Till next time, introduce a youngster to
aeromodeling, fly smart, and fly safely.
Associate Vice Presidents
Guy Barber, 9879 SE Torch Lake Dr., Alden, MI
49612 Tel.: (231) 331-4807
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]
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]
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