District VIII - 2010/07
Safety reminder
Flying season is in full swing and the heat is up all over the district, so stay alert for snakes, drink plenty of fluids, watch your buddies, and fly safely. I am the chair of the national Safety Committee, so I had to say it!
National and district activities
I have done so much business on the national level that I haven't been able to get around the district as much as usual. I have been to Toledo for the Weak Signals Show and the annual AMA Safety Committee meeting, and I attended the April Executive Council meeting. There have been great efforts from the volunteers on the Safety Committee and the EC. I also attended my first meeting of the Education Committee and found them just as strong and dedicated.
Alvin RC Club — 20th Big Bird Fly-In
I attended the Alvin RC Club's 20th Big Bird Fly-In and had a great time. I didn't take an airplane to fly, but I did take my two grandsons. We were impressed with the facility and the quality of the aircraft and flying.
Fred Daniels did a great job as CD (Contest Director) and was ably helped by a huge group of friendly volunteers. I think I had the best burgers ever at their kitchen—and you all know how I like the chuckwagons! It was a great event; go next year if you can.
Rio Rancho RC Club — after-school SAFE program
Don McClelland, secretary of the Rio Rancho RC Club in Sandia, New Mexico, sent this report of his club assisting the local school system in their after-school SAFE program.
The club put together a program that consists of:
- a video,
- teaching the children on flight simulators,
- building "penny gliders,"
- a flight contest using the penny gliders,
- concluding with flight demonstrations in the school gymnasium.
The club also brings a static display of airplanes and helicopters. Club members have run at least six or seven iterations of the program and it is well received.
Contest calendar
It seemed as though folks lined up to talk with me about the Contest Calendar being removed from Model Aviation. You should all be glad to know it is back in for the time being, but plan ahead. One of these days we may have to pull it because of the costs of publishing it that way.
Have fun and fly safely. See you on the flightline.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
