District VIII - 2011/04
The 2011 AMA Expo in January was a success. Attendance appeared about the same as it has been the past four years, the enthusiasm of the youngsters in the make-and-take area was incredible, and the guest speakers were excellent.
FAA round-table
The round-table discussion with the FAA that you read about in last month’s issue of MA was a result of our two-plus days of intense discussion between the FAA representatives and Rich Hanson’s work group. I was pleased to see the level of interest and the number of Expo attendees who participated in the session.
While the future is still unclear, I am more confident after that extensive period of interface that we will come to a workable resolution for modeling within the new world defined by FAA regulations. Make sure you keep apprised of the status of our work and any action that may be necessary on your part to assist in its conclusion.
Officer change — Louisiana AVP
There has been another District VIII officer change. Pete Boudreaux, our Louisiana associate vice president (AVP), asked me to find a replacement so he could stay closer to home. I don’t want to go into details, but family issues take precedence over volunteer work.
I thank Pete for his friendship and salute his service. He is a master modeler, avid enthusiast, and staunch supporter of our hobby and our association. As he steps down, a new volunteer has stepped up with superb credentials and serious motivation.
New AVP — Jon Martin
Jon Martin has been modeling for more than 40 years, starting with CL at age seven and moving into RC at age 15. He builds and flies almost everything and has special interests in:
- Pattern
- Helicopters
- Turbines
- Large-scale aircraft
He is president of the Rice Area Modeling Society (RAMS), where he is contest director of a couple of events a year and hosts fun-flys of various genres. For full-time work, Jon flies a Gulfstream business jet — tough life for sure!
Thank both of these guys if you happen to run across them in your modeling travels.
Valero Oil — Flight to the North Pole
Valero Oil in San Antonio, Texas, invited indoor fliers to another great event. This time it was Flight to the North Pole, a wonderful day of celebrating the Christmas holiday with children in the area undergoing cancer treatment.
The company brought in nearly 80 children and their families and gave them a taxi ride around the airport in a Continental Airlines 737. When they arrived at the Valero hangar, they were greeted with applause and indoor modeling followed by a trip to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, food, and games.
What a wonderful day of smiles for the children and families and for participating members of the Texas RC Indoor Club (TRIC):
- Rick Doucette
- Fred Stutz
- Andy Clapp
- Terry Ullman
- Kinley Rice
- Steve Koelle
- Jack Matlock
- Me
Fred and Rick entertain some of the children while other TRIC members watch.
Have fun and fly safely. See you on the flightline!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
